Proto-Sands

This is a theoretical language that is responsible for spawning what is considered to be the "Sands" language family, which includes (but is not limited to) Mukala, Et'en, Sands Trade, and, according to dubious sources, Sokkin Cant.

As it seems writing did not exist at the time, there are no records of Proto-Sands' precise structure. What follows is largely reconstruction based on its daughter tongues.

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Writing System

Proto-Sands does not appear to have had a writing system.

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Phonology

Vowels

• a - saw
• æ - cat
• e - met (IPA ɛ)
• i - seat
• ɪ - sit
• u - boot
• ʌ - gull

Consonents

b, d, g, h, k, kh (/χ/), l, m, n, p, q, r (was either a tap or trill), s, sh (/ʃ/ - ash), t, th (θ/ ð), v, y (/j/, yoyo), z

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Morphology

Noun Genders

There are four noun genders based on the classical elements.

Fire

• Things that give off light
• Transformations, changes, and chemical reactions (e.g., rust)
• Food

Fire words usually begin with a "k." Examples: kelam ("lightning"), ketaq ("hearth"), kidak ("destruction")

Water

• Liquids
• Things that move or flow
• Water animals (that breathe water, not air)

Water words usually begin with an "m." Examples: metap ("waterfall"), mit ("paint"), muz ("music")

Earth

• Most solids and objects, plants

Earth words usually begin with a "t." Examples: tamluk ("tree"), tum ("mountain"), atum ("boat")

Air

• Ideas and other intangibles
• Most weather
• People and animals

Air words usually begin with an "l." Examples: luk ("person"), letum ("cloud"), lana ("honor")

Triconsonantal Verb Roots

Proto-Sands verbs are triconsonantal in construction: they consist of a series of a series consonants (usually three) and inserting certain vowels indicate aspect and tense.
Example: "to live" - l-m-k

• lemak - I live
• lemik - I am living
• lumak - I lived
• lumik - I was living

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Syntax

Sentence structure

Verb (adverb) Subject (numbers and adj clauses) Object(s) (numbers and adj clauses)

Subject Pronouns

One top of aspect and tense, verbs are conjugated to indicate voice. Therefore, subject pronouns are largely optional, and are generally only used for emphasis or clarification.
Example:

• lemak - I live
• lemrak - You live
• lemsak - He/she lives
• lemnak - We live
• lemlak - You guys live
• lemshak - They live

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Vocabulary

Pronouns

Swap out the first letter according to the elemental gender of the original noun.

(l)a - I
(l)u - You (single)
(l)i - He/she/it

(l)an - We
(l)un - You (plural)
(l)in - They

Other Key Words

Sa - Yes
Mei - No

Alæl - Day
Ӕzlal - Night
Lamik - Life
Lana - Honor
Luk - Person
Diska - Friend, Comrade
Tuq - Spear
Kʌqun - Home
Letak - Sky
Tak - Desert
Tum - Mountain

Lænla - Hello/Goodbye

k-m-t - To love
b-k- - To fight
l-m-k - To live
f-sh-t - To know

Mɪkas - Red/Orange
Mɪmas - Blue/Purple
Mɪkhis - Black
Mɪlas - White
Lanai - Good/Honorable
Lanzai - Evil/Dishonorable

Successor Languages

• Sands Trade
• Mukala
• Et'en
• Sokkin Cant

Common Phrases

Sesbrak kheɪlbesh qashad khʌlukbakus vas kʌlbish laknai kʌlukluya.

"You stay the opponent's first strike by striking true yourself." Old adage

Tei temra?

"Who are you?" (informal)

Teak tuzus

Everywhere; Literally "the whole desert"