Shirpatran Language (Sher-pot-trin)

The Shirpatran language group is a group of dialects associated with North-central Samvara - more specifically, the Empire of Shirpatra and its co-religious neighbors. Generally speaking, Shirpatran languages share common roots with Shenek Languages; while the two aren't mutually intelligible, a Shirpatran speaker would recognize a number of similar words and intuitively understand the grammar.
The Shirpatran language group was formed as a common tongue of those communities in the Northern plains that all followed the guidance of the Goddess Aysha. This hybrid language was originally a compromise among tribes, a sign of common ground and equal status. Over time, it became associated with imperial power, and ultimately displaced or absorbed many other languages in Northern Samvara. Ayshan priests and missionaries often consider Shirpatran language to be an essential component of education, to better access the written traditions of the Ayshan religious thinkers, and so Shirpatran tends to be a scholarly and courtly language wherever Ayshan religion dominates.
Shirpatran language is rather unique in that it was made to better imitate and accommodate Solar communication. Solars are telepaths who communicate through images, emotions, and ideas; it takes active practice for Solars to learn to repackage their thoughts into verbal language. While Shirpatran obviously cannot replicate solar telepathy, it has been shaped to more easily communicate things that solars consider valuable (specific emotional states, intensity of light). This has also shaped the nature of Shirpatran naming.

Shirpatran Names

Shirpatran names come in a few varieties. The first are traditional names, which use older language to separate the shape of the word from the meaning:

• Jeru (awake)
• Rosha (light)
• Tyala (shimmer)
• Cho (bright)
• Byuda (dim/gentle)
• Burja (dawn-borne)
• Boyd (dusk)
• Toria (starry)
• Tay (ray)
• Chesh (flash)
• Sitspara (clear-soul)
• Sulva (comet)
• Todni (constellation)
• Gralta (keeper of the spheres)
• Uttui (the North Star)
• Magna (the red star)
• Braka (the bright star)
• Zuri (summer)
• Dula (warm)
• Ermali (majesty)
• Ninashuja (graceful worship)
• Uteg (perfection)
• Jonia (curiosity)
• Shoka (powerful)
• Ashai (wonder)
• Karita (love)
• Sheva (purity)
• Svirin (freedom)
• Ordessa (mercy)
• Pratama (the promise)
• Artaba (good person)
• Kosho (sacred)
• Harret (quick-handed)
• Gelshema (shield of fire)
• Dorelvi (the day master)
• Pralisa (reflection)
• Gyama (sheen)
• Saida (beauty)
• Shaiv (calm)
• Kisha (horizon)
• Burua (twilight)
• Kutuvi (destiny)
• Vingan (ponder)
• Sedigel (harmony)

But many solars and those who would imitate them instead use Concept Names - names that are just a word or idea. Sometimes these names are even translated into other languages to represent that meaning abroad; just as solars simply communicate a name-flavored telepathic imprint of an emotion, those who imitate them would hope to keep the meaning of their name obvious. Some examples include:

• Harmony
• Purpose
• Clarity
• Grace
• Restraint
• Felicity
• Glory
• Courage
• Esteem
• Devotion
• Comfort
• Justice
• Faith
• Sacrifice
• Fidelity
• Tenacity
• Credence
• Acceptance
• Anguish
• Beauty
• Serenity
• Joy
• Purpose
• Candor
• Patience
• Valor
• Mercy
• Prudence
• Balance
• Destiny
• Merit
• Honor
• Ernest
• Temperance
• Truth
• Honesty

Of course, modern solars rarely go with such broad concepts anymore; as populations have risen, so has the race to find more specific or elaborate names. The solars of old also did this to demonstrate a kind of eloquent flourish ("Destined-for-Glory", "Happiness-and-Reason"), but now some youngsters are seeking specificity for its own sake. These long and specific names are quick for solars to communicate, as they can simply beam an idea or sensation (like "the yearning to pet a cat that is sitting on a nearby fence"). When non-solars try to follow into this area of naming, it can lead to excessively long names, though. Some examples include:

• Joyful-Anticipation
• Rejoicing-at-Dawn
• Discovering-Purpose
• Midday-Heat
• Shock-of-Recovery
• Considering-Endlessness
• Momentary-Peace
• Barely-Askew
• Fear-of-Revelation
• Aspirational-Reflection
• Farewell-Melancholy
• Conversational-Politeness
• Declaring-Faith
• Sleepless-Awakening
• Anxiety-Leaving-Home

Surnames are common in Shirpatra, and are mandatory for administrative purposes. Visitors receive the last name of "Suchi" (meaning "Empty" or "Null") if they do not have one themselves. Common surnames include:

• Bora: a very common human last name
• Haro: a very common dryad last name
• Shika: a very common prism last name
• Sivin: a generic name for kobolds
• Tiseel: a common name for half-dryads
• Moru: a common name for half-prisms
• Toku: miller
• Letti: smith
• Darjo: tailor
• Jeka: weaver
• Minig: clerk
• Kobi: hunter
• Rozto: cook
• Shara: brewer
• Loda: woodsman
• Nauli: servant
• Ninbari: generic name often given to incoming immigrants
• Dagsi: a generic name given to former Aretans
• Gelsi a generic name given to former Pratasa
• Kolsi: a generic name given to former Halikvar
• Cheka: sugar-worker

Adding -buri to the end of an existing name is also a solid choice. For some quick examples:

• Tayburi
• Kariburi
• Kutuburi
• Jonaburi
• Kishaburi
• Dulaburi

For a few special last names, for families that have older roots in Shirpatra:

• Pabari: an old Shirpatran family
• Kisudra: an old Shirpatran family
• Noktiba: an old Shirpatran family
• Suluba: an old Shirpatran family
• Tokija: an old Shirpatran family
• Kozeli: princely family
• Pasuwara: an original Suwirshan family

Solar tribes also have their own surnames, but these tend to be descriptive - solars speak in concepts first, and words second.

• Of-Founders
• Of-Moonlight-East
• North-Star
• Sun-Path-West
• Of-Ponder
• Tower-Keeper
• Book-Keeper
• Gold-Keeper
• Water-Guided
• Cloudless-Sky
• Dusk-Walker
• Dawn-Walker
• Sand-Walker
• Mountain-Walker
• Tree-Walker
• Stone-Builder
• Faithful-Guard
• Light-Bearer
• Fire-Guide

Root Languages

• Shenek Language