Mekonggan (meˈkoŋɡan)

"It is the easiest language to cause offense in that I've ever known"

— Miyagi Yumeko 

Mekonggan is the language of the Mekongga people, and the official language of the Kingdom of Lahat. It is loosely based on the Tolaki language.

Dialects

There are two major dialects of Mekonggan. One is known as Royal Mekonggan (Mekonggan Raja), and is spoken primarily by the royal family and high nobility, as well as anyone who wishes to seem more noble. The other is Common or Lampuato Mekonggan (Mekonggan Umum), and it is spoken by the bulk of the population. The dialect serves as a significant status marker in Mekonggan society, and speaking Royal Mekonggan when you are not of sufficient status is seen as highly disrespectful. The two dialects are distinguished in both accent and vocabulary, but are mutually intelligible.

Interesting Features

Mekonggan has a large number of specific honorifics, representing the exact nature of a relationship between the speaker and the listener. These will indicate the degree of status difference between the two, the familiarity of the relationship, and the precise status of the speaker. Many Mekonggans note the day when they shifted from the formal to familiar version of their honorifics as the true moment a relationship began, and changes in honorifics are frequently used as a plot signal in Mekonggan theater.

These honorifics have developed alongside the adoption of the Kosalo philosophy. By observing them strictly, the Mekongga believe that they are reinforcing the structure of the universe itself. This has been a particular concern ever since the collapse of the Kingdom of Lampuato and the subsequent invasion of Lahat. For many Mekongga, the world is teetering on the edge of collapsing into Keterbagaan, and any lapse in proper behavior may be the last straw that dooms them all.

Related Languages

The best known language that is related to Mekonggan is that spoken by the spirits of Lampuato. It is called Khuluma Isinyanya Mekonggan, which loosely translates to 'Ghost Mekonngan'. It is derived from ancient form of the Mekonngan language, and is the only language the spirits of Lampuato will communicate in. It is more similar to Royal Mekonggan than Common Mekonggan, and the spirits often use grammar and vocabulary indicating they hold the highest possible status, equivalent to a ruling monarch.

Besides Ghost Mekonggan, the language has roots in several languages from across the southern arc of the Great Ring. The strongest influence was the original language of Lampuato, but when Meko brought his armies to the island, they spoke languages from across the Telmunic Empire, and all of them had some influence in the development of Mekonggan. The strongest influences were Telmunite, Dilauti, and Buralgi./p]

Naming Traditions

Names in Mekonggan are constructed to emphasize the status and lineage of the individual. The family and branch names come first, followed by a patronymic, then a matronymic, and then a personal name, with a suffix indicating their class. In certain instances, the name will be shortened - for example, the head of a family branch will typically go only by the family & branch name, omitting the parental markers and the individual name (but not the suffix). In the case of King Manggala, he goes only by the family name, without suffix - this indicates that he is of the highest possible status. When he passes on the throne, he will relinquish the right to use only the family name, but as a former king will be referred to by his individual name only, still without suffix. This can cause confusion to historians unfamiliar with this system, who sometimes have trouble identifying when the throne has changed hands within a family.

Writing System

Mekonggan is written in an ancient and flowing text known as Lampuaton sigils. It is made up of logograms, where each symbol represents a particular word or idea, and the arrangement of sigils on the page can be significant to the interpretation. Writing is considered an art form, and sloppy or ugly phrasing is harshly critiqued, especially if the final product is meant to displayed. The precise order of logograms in a message is mutable, and are more likely to be placed in an aesthetically pleasing arrangement, rather than adhering to a strict ordering.

Geographical Distribution

Mekonggan is spoken primarily on the island of Lahat and in the immediate vicinity. It is also spoken on the islands of the Mekonggan Archipelago, most prominently Lampuato.

Spoken by

• Mekongga

Common Phrases

• Halo - Hello
• Sampai Jumpa - Goodbye
• Terima kasi - Thank you
• Kembali - You're welcome
• Tolo - Help
• Silaka - Please
• Apa kaba? - How are you?
• Bai-bai - I'm fine
• Maafi - Sorry
• Tidaki apa - It's okay

Common Female Names

• Sari
• Dewili
• Ratiha
• Wulana
• Citra
• Larasi
• Nuruli
• Putri
• Yuni
• Astari

Common Male Names

• Budi
• Adi
• Rudi
• Dhani
• Hadi
• Yudi
• Satria
• Ananda
• Widi
• Agunga

Common Family Names

• Rahadia
• Suryono
• Purnomo
• Widjaja
• Kusuma
• Hartanto
• Dewi
• Wirawa
• Susilo
• Indrawa

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