ISHARON at 22:10, 17 October 2013

2013-10-17T22:10:57Z

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			{{Cat\|S'Kra Mur,Book,Language Book}}
	[[Category:Book]]
	[[Category:Language Book]]

CARAAMON: moved Language of the S'Kra Mur, The (book) to Language of the S'Kra Mur (book)

2011-09-20T18:18:24Z

moved Language of the S'Kra Mur, The (book) to Language of the S'Kra Mur (book)

← Older revision	Revision as of 13:18, 20 September 2011
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ISHARON: /* Common Phrases */

2010-03-17T03:39:18Z

Common Phrases

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	Greetings: <br>		'''Greetings''': <br>
	q'alrin: nido'a <br>		q'alrin: nido'a <br>
	smolgan: otoh em <br>		smolgan: otoh em <br>
	ru'atin: aehhrki paar ("My soul is complete.") <br>		ru'atin: aehhrki paar ("My soul is complete.") <br>
	pohan: rath'agrkhhan aensmo'ku'par ("The gods bring us together.") <br>		pohan: rath'agrkhhan aensmo'ku'par ("The gods bring us together.") <br>
	goodbye: <br>		'''goodbye''': <br>
	q'alrin: saagri <br>		q'alrin: saagri <br>
	smolgan: ibu'rath'a <br>		smolgan: ibu'rath'a <br>
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	pohan: Hav'roth sa'mahil'in. ("Hav'roth smile on you.") <br>		pohan: Hav'roth sa'mahil'in. ("Hav'roth smile on you.") <br>
	exclamation of disgust: all forms: khozh! (literally: no honor) <br>		exclamation of disgust: all forms: khozh! (literally: no honor) <br>
	be well: <br>		'''be well''': <br>
	q'alrin: esuna tel'rath'a ("Go in happiness.") <br>		q'alrin: esuna tel'rath'a ("Go in happiness.") <br>
	smolgan: esula em ("Go in peace.") <br>		smolgan: esula em ("Go in peace.") <br>
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	ru'atin: aehhrkhi sa'hhs ("My heart is yours.") <br>		ru'atin: aehhrkhi sa'hhs ("My heart is yours.") <br>
	pohan: khosa'hhn aepivo'hrr'shuzh ("My regard of you will never die.") <br>		pohan: khosa'hhn aepivo'hrr'shuzh ("My regard of you will never die.") <br>



	==Advanced Sentence Structure ==		==Advanced Sentence Structure ==

CARAAMON: The Language of the S'Kra Mur (book) moved to Language of the S'Kra Mur, The (book)

2009-01-28T18:52:54Z

The Language of the S'Kra Mur (book) moved to Language of the S'Kra Mur, The (book)

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	[[Category:Book]]		[[Category:Book]]
			[[Category:Language Book]]

Maintenance script: added to Book category

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added to Book category

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	amusement that our language likely contributes to the		amusement that our language likely contributes to the
	likening of S'Kra to snakes by the scaleless races.		likening of S'Kra to snakes by the scaleless races.

			[[Category:Book]]

Maintenance script: Book:RrdnSLP moved to The Language of the S'Kra Mur (book)

2007-11-22T15:33:25Z

Book:RrdnSLP moved to The Language of the S'Kra Mur (book)

← Older revision	Revision as of 10:33, 22 November 2007
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Maintenance script: New page: ==The Language of the S'Kra Mur == '''A Primer '''
''Rashali dan'Nhhral'' ==Introduction == The language of our people is not easily inducted into the mind of one who first l...

2007-07-10T08:38:04Z

New page: ==The Language of the S'Kra Mur == '''A Primer ''' ''Rashali dan'Nhhral'' ==Introduction == The language of our people is not easily inducted into the mind of one who first l...

New page

==The Language of the S'Kra Mur ==
'''A Primer ''' 
''Rashali dan'Nhhral''

==Introduction ==

The language of our people is not easily inducted
into the mind of one who first learns Common speech,
or so I am told. My name is Rashali dan'Nhhral, and
the Academy has requested my input on the language of
my people. As a scholar, I have a more than passing
knowledge of many languages, foremost among them, of
course, being my own. I here inscribe that knowledge
so that those who come across it may benefit from a
meager induction into the colorful and rich world
that is the language of the Proud Folk.

In studying the language of the S'Kra Mur it is
essential to realize that it cannot be simply strong-
armed into understanding as can scaleless races'
languages. It must be imbibed, and much of this
understanding comes directly from comprehending S'Kra
culture and society -- that is, in a way, by becoming
a part of its people.

As an example, in order to understand that the word
for "child" in S'Kra -- naarti -- is the same as the
word for "jewel," one must understand the value of
children to the chosen of Hav'roth. Likewise, one
will find that the language is not so much a thing of
easily-defined words, limited by their own narrow
meanings, but rather a thing of concepts and
thoughts. S'Kra realize that the capacity of their
minds cannot be fully contained by something so
simple as sound, and their language reflects this.
In as fierce a people as the S'Kra have ever been,
some might find it peculiar to come across these
poetic traits, but again, not if one truly
understands their culture.

==Pronunciations ==

Pronunciation in the S'Kra language is a delicate
thing. Generally speaking, however, there are but a
few basic rules for its use:

In compound words, emphasis is placed upon the second
syllable (called a 'pran') in the word. Thus q'alri
is pronounced "kuh'AL-ree". The exception to this
falls when a pishra (denoted by a ' ) is found
near the end of a compound word, seperating a single
syllable word from a multisyllabic one. Thus
lanahh'zhra would be rendered "lah-na'urr'ZRAH."

The pishra, or "little stop," in S'Kra speech I have
found best described as a short intake of breath or
skip in verbiage. One can also think of it as a
means to begin a word anew without first stopping the
speech pattern. Most often its function is to
seperate sequences, as can be seen in the formal
naming tradition. However, entire books could
and have been written on the use of this mark alone,
and so I will move on.
The last note I will make in this section is to
explain the existence of the Sharaanpon'u, or formal
tongue. This method of pronunciation is used
primarily in ceremonies, particularly in those
dedicated to Hav'roth, may he smile upon us always.
At its roots it is a verbal rendition of eth'ral'khh,
but is quite a bit more complex than the common-
spoken S'Kra. It is this original spoken language
that was gradually simplified into the form we speak
today.

Sharaanpon'u is known foremost for its cadence.
Rather than placing emphasis on the second syllable
only, emphasis is instead placed upon every other
syllable in even-syllabled words, and on every third
syllable in those with an odd number of syllables.
The language is also caged such that the arrangement
of words weaves itself together into a strident,
chanting tone.

The craft of Sharaanpon'u is a long-standing S'Kra
tradition, mostly among Clerics and sometimes Bards.
It is believed that the spoken language was
originally formed this way to ease the rigors of
memorizing long passages. Books twice the length of
this one were carried about in the minds of ancient
Clerics, and some still retain this practice. It
is also said to aid in meditation.

==Simple Grammar ==

Likely the most important aspect of S'Kra grammar is
the appropriate usage of verb forms; not merely when
referring to individuals of different statures, but
also when giving reference to time, place, and
emotion. In the section below outlining common
phrases, one will note that there are four basic
forms: q'alrin, smolgan, and ru'atin, as might be
expected, and the last form, pohan, which is used in
a term of deference.

For the purposes of grammar, the words q'alrin,
smolgan, ru'atin, and pohan become verbs themselves.
In a single word, a S'Kra may cast another from their
ru'atin, simply by using the q'alrin form of address.
In the original transcription of "Ashalhh: Night
Huntress," an old fable from the Book of Lovers,
Ashalhh's brother asks plaintively:

"Sorsha'la ae'q'alrin? Pon'zh'laar ru'at?"
(or: Why do you q'alrin me? Am I not your
ru'at?)

This is a very painful question indeed, and shows an
example of how q'alri becomes a verb not easily
translated into Common tongue. Interesting
connotations impossible in Common also arise from the
fact that the brother uses the smolgan form -- laar
-- when referring to his sister. In this situation
it might seem that the ru'at form or even, as he is
alienated, the q'alrin form; the fact that he
uses the smolgan form indicates simultaneously that
he is profoundly hurt by her rejection, but not
accepting q'alrin status. These are the intricasies
that can be expressed simply by the use of a single
verb form.

==Common Phrases ==

Greetings: 
q'alrin: nido'a 
smolgan: otoh em 
ru'atin: aehhrki paar ("My soul is complete.") 
pohan: rath'agrkhhan aensmo'ku'par ("The gods bring us together.") 
goodbye: 
q'alrin: saagri 
smolgan: ibu'rath'a 
ru'atin: y'nerpar aensmo'ku'par ("We are always together.") 
pohan: Hav'roth sa'mahil'in. ("Hav'roth smile on you.") 
exclamation of disgust: all forms: khozh! (literally: no honor) 
be well: 
q'alrin: esuna tel'rath'a ("Go in happiness.") 
smolgan: esula em ("Go in peace.") 
ru'atin: esulaku aeama'hhrsk ("Go with my love.") 
pohan: esusaku Peri'el ("Go with Peri'el.") 

where is the...?: zasul...? 
my name is...: aeyvyn... 
what is your name?: 
q'alrin: shana yvyn? 
smolgan: --- * The next two forms have no versions, for 
ru'atin: --- there was/is never a need to ask these things. 
pohan: shasa'hhn kho? 
I am...(status): 
q'alrin: aena 
smolgan: aela 
ru'atin: aesa 
pohan: aesa'hhn 
fine: tel 
so-so: enhaar 
tired/unhappy: lanahh'lakh ("lacking life") 
happy: rath'amahilin 
hungry: pahami'lakh 
How are you?: 
q'alrin: kulna ese? 
smolgan: kula ese? 
ru'atin: kulsa ese? 
pohan: rath'amahilin'hhn? ("Do the gods smile?") 
I love you: 
exact meaning depends on usage: 
q'alrin: kulna arna'hhs (lit: "You are like the boulder."; fig: "I rely on you.") 
smolgan: shh'oisa smolgi ("[You have my] deepest friendship.") 
ru'atin: aehhrkhi sa'hhs ("My heart is yours.") 
pohan: khosa'hhn aepivo'hrr'shuzh ("My regard of you will never die.") 

==Advanced Sentence Structure ==

And, finally, we will dissect a more advanced sentence.

"And then, with the swift rush of terrible
revelation, I noticed at last the delicate silver
ring perched on the smallest finger of his left
hand."

Taken from the tale "Hhshna's Uncle", it is
translated into Common as detailed above. The
original S'Kra, as we will break into parts shortly,
is, in its full length,
thus:

"Y'nertal, kuhhshran'hhs s'hhra orthaan'inh
shakhra, ae'uraan'nido y'nerhhan lanahh'zhranaarti
papi yi'pa'trelpi'hhs por'ograth."

And so I will begin at the beginning. "Y'ner," the
note for 'time,' is suffixed by the connotal 'tal'
which indicates the near future. The prefix 'ku' is
simply 'with', and then there begins a mildly complex
reversal from the syntax of Common, similar to the
one provided in a previous chapter:

Hhshran one might expect to mean 'swift,' and this
would lead to some confusion as it is appended with
'hhs, the modifier for 'of.' In direct adjective-
noun pairs, the adjective is relegated to following
the noun.

Following this we have the noun-verb combination
'ae'uraan'nido,' literally 'I' (ae'-) 'sensed with
eyes' (uraan'nido)-- thus 'I saw,' or 'I noticed.'
Then the time reference y'nerhhan, y'ner, once again,
for time, with the suffix hhan to indicate a delayed
occurrence.

The next word is a single noun referring to the ring
borne by elite assassins of a certain society -- the
lanahh'zhra, their token called the
lanahh'zhranaarti, or the 'lifetaker's stone.'
This translation is rough, some of its meaning lost
entirely in the Common tongue, but I assure you --
speak the token's name aloud and you will soon find
yourself alienated from safe society.

'Papi' is, simplest put, 'tiny placed'-- delicately
sat, or perched. The next conjugated phrase,
yi'pa'trelpi'hhs, is best taken from the root
outward. Trel, or 'finger,' is appended with 'pi',
meaning the smallest finger. Pa is 'upon' or 'on,'
and yi is included first to note that the speaker is
indicating the apparent assassin -- 'he,' or 'his,'
depending upon usage. The final 'hhs, as we have
seen, is 'of,' leading into por'ograth -- the left
hand.

==Closing ==

I have heard the language of the S'Kra Mur described
as a knot which the scholar must unravel. Truly,
this is even more accurate for eth'ral'khh, but I can
also see how one might draw this conclusion for
proper spoken S'Kra. Indeed, I note with some
amusement that our language likely contributes to the
likening of S'Kra to snakes by the scaleless races.

Language of the S'Kra Mur (book) - Revision history