RickLingo
From WorkCDN
summary: it is the intention here to invent a functional language, which does not express any particular culture or history, but is a basis for other languages to develop from. I'm designing this not so much for pronunciation but for reading, as game players would be expected to do so, at some point. A current project is the creation of "scriptures," based on Genesis 1-10, for use in the game. Included in this project are expansions of the scriptures to relate the origin of Elves, Dwarves and Mermen, and the events bridging our world and the fantasy world, and the events that happened there: The Scroll of Beginnings
THE ALPHABET
Each letter represents a basic kind of thing. Consonantal letters were grouped in six "families" of pronunciation. Then I wrote down a list of categories, loosely based on the Greek gods, as they covered pretty much everything, and added a few things. Finally, I assigned those meanings to the letters as seemed best to me. Not being satisfied, I went a step further, and not only reworked my concept of how nouns and adjectives were to be formed, but also adjusted the meanings to fit how a little child would say them. Within the context of the game, the similarity of this language to Earthly languages is explained by the inhabitants of this fantasy world being the descendants of post-Flood, but pre-Babel humanity (in the case of men), and in the case of Elves & Dwarves, descendants of pre-Flood faerie folk from our world. There's a whole story right there, which I'll explain elsewhere. In any case...
W/Y/H: Being, Person, Essence D/J/T: Air, Relation, Animal M/B/P: Earth, Space, Plant C/Z/S: Water, Matter, Wisdom X/V/F: Fire, Knowledge, Making Q/G/K: Death, Volition, Moon R/N/L: Life, Affection, Sun
THE FORM OF THE SENTENCE
The form of the sentence is important. It does not allow much flexibility, but the intention is to create a written language that is very formal, rather than casual or colloquial. A full and proper sentence would begin with a conjunction, followed by the subject (article, adjective & noun), then the verbal group (verb, adverb, & preposition) then the object (article, adjective & noun). The short version of a formal sentence would look like ABAABBABBABAABABAABABBAABBABBABA. Spaces are NOT necessary, since the most important rule of forming sentences is that consonants which end or begin a word can only connect with the consonant of the next or previous word. Thus, ABAABBABBABAABABAABABBAABBABBABA splits up into ABA (the conjunction) AB (article) BAB (adjective) BABA (noun) ABABA (verb) ABAB (adverb) BA (preposition) AB (article) BAB (adjective) BABA (noun). An informal sentence would simply be ABA AB BABA ABABA AB BABA. Conjunction-Subject-Verb-Object. Or put together without spaces ABAABBABAABABAABBABA.
This is just a highly formalized language for writing, and is designed to serve as a basis for the development of other languages. Thus, as the game culture "evolves," one would expect the players to use their own terminology. However, this ancient language will always remain as the language of the developers.
CONJUNCTIONS
Every sentence must begin with a conjunction. All conjunctions take the form of "ABA." The opening vowel indicates the mood of the following sentence.
"A" pronounced "AH" as in Bought. A question. "E" pronounced "AY" as in Bait. A contradiction. "I" pronounced "EE" as in Beet. A ponderance. "O" pronounced "OH" as in Boat. A statement. "U" pronounced "OO" as in Boot. A command.
The closing vowel indicates the tense of the sentence
"I" something happening in the present "A" something happening in the present, continuing into the future "E" something happening in the future "O" something happening in the past, continuing into the present "U" something happening in the past
This is a list of all major conjunctions, but does not include all variations (which potentially total 525)
IWA: And... (a simple statement of fact) AWA: What? (this following is a question regarding a BEING-ness) AYA: Who? (the following is a question regarding a PERSON) IHA: Translated... (the following interprets or summarizes the ESSENCE of the last sentence or thought) IDA: And then... (since the idea of "time" is covered by the D/J/T family of letters) AJA: When? ITA: Meanwhile... IBA: Where? ISA: And also... IXA: Because... (the idea of reasoning is covered by the X/V/F family of letters) AVA: How? IFA: Therefore... IQA: In conclusion... (completes a thought, basically the end of a paragraph) AKA: Why? IKA: On the other hand... IRA: To begin with... (all major thoughts begin with the "R" conjunction--only the mood and tense may vary) ANA: Which? ILA: Or ...
ARTICLES
Every noun must be preceded by an article. If there is no noun, there can be no article. The absence of the article indicates the subject or object of the sentence is either the same as the previous sentence, or that the speaker/author is the subject or object.
O-Single A-Plural Possessive I-Single Possessive E-Negative U-Plural
There are six pronouns. These are the singular versions:
0D: Him 0M: Her 0C: You 0X: Me 0Q: That 0R: This
There are two basic articles, and these are the singular versions:
0N: The 0K: A
These are titles, also known as "honorifics."
0J: A Lord or Lady, one who owns land; originally referred to a herdsman 0T: A serf or slave, one without land 0B: A freeman with an occupation; originally referred to a farmer 0P: An apprentice 0V: A scholar 0F: A student 0Z: The captain of a ship 0S: A sailor 0G: A warrior or soldier 0L: A cleric
PREPOSITIONS
WI Outside (because a person's being is their exterior self) YI Inside (because a person's person-hood is their interior self) HI Regarding (because all things relate to a person's essence) DI Over (because the Sky is over everything) JI Near (because relationships are close) TI Resting (because animals are resting on the ground) MI Under (because the Earth is under everything) BI Space (because space relates to distance) CI Before (because of old, the world was judged with water) ZI Into (because matter is what the Lord provided for us in the garden) SI Towards (because wisdom moves towards the truth) XI After (because in the end, the world will be judged by fire) VI Out of (because the knowledge of good and evil led to our banishment) FI Away From (because making is what we have to do, now that we are banished) QI Through (because death pierces everything) GI Against (because our will sets us against God, each other, and ourselves) KI During (a single event; because the moon "changeth its orb nightly") RI Around (because life surrounds us) NI For (because our affection sets our hearts towards the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life) LI During (an ongoing event; because the sun is constant)
HOW ADJECTIVES, NOUNS, VERBS AND ADVERBS WORK
Adjectives describe nouns, and take the form "BAB." These are the root-words of this language. The adjective "BAB" becomes a noun when another vowel is added, and it becomes "BABA." If we add a vowel to the beginning, it becomes the adverb "ABAB." If we add vowels to the beginning and the end, it becomes the verb "ABABA." The middle vowel indicates the "voice" of the adjective, noun, verb, or adjective.
U "-ful" as in "Helpful," or "Full of Help." This indicates the basic nature of the word. O "-ed" as in Helped. The noun is the passive recipient of the term. E "-less" as in Helpless. The noun is without this particular quality. A "-ly" or "-ish" as in Help-Like. This indicates the noun is "imitative," or something like the word, but not quite it. I "-ing" as in Helping. The noun is the active agent of the verb.
When we add more consonants to any word, we expand the meaning of it, except in the case of verbs. For instance, the noun "BABA" may be expanded to "BABABA." "BABA" means "Baby," but the third "BA" modifies that into "The Space of the Baby." With verbs, such as ABABA, when we expand them, "ABABABA" would simply mean the last "BA" is a preposition. So rather than "to be the space of the baby," ABABABA means "to be born far from."
While any triple consonant noun might be a proper noun, every noun with four consonants is definitely a proper one. A proper noun in the role of an adjective indicates a first name. Since there are no adjectives which end in W or Y, those letters at the end of a triple-consonant noun almost always indicate a proper last name. For instance, OB RIJARAD HOWENA would translate as "Mister/Master Richard Owen" if I were simply trying to be "phonetically correct." HOWENA would be my family name, a proper noun, and RIJARAD would be my personal name, an adjective modifying my proper name. This is the same thing we do with any object, really. If I'm teaching somebody to play billiards, I can't just say "tap the ball with the stick," or he'll ask me "Which ball?" Then I have to say "The white one." Just as "white" specifies which ball my friend should tap with the stick, so my first name specifies which member of my family he should blame when he looses the billiard tournament.
SIMPLE WORDS FOR CHILDREN
WAWA (being) a thing YAYA (person) a person HAHA (essence) something good and praiseworthy DADA (sky/air) Daddy JAJA (relation) TATA (animal) Pet, usually a Dog MAMA (earth) Mommy BABA (space) Baby PAPA (plant) Food, usually a porridge CACA (water) Water ZAZA (matter) "poopie" SASA (wisdom) Something good and wise XAXA (fire) Hot VAVA (knowledge) Word FAFA (making) Toy QAQA (death) sickness GAGA (volition) anger KAKA (moon) sleep RARA (life) joy NANA (affection) love LALA (sun) music
BODY PARTS
WAYA Body part of the person: WAHA Body part of the essence: the brain WADA Body part of the air: the nose WAJA Body part of relation: the genitals WATA Body part of the animal: the skin WAMA Body part of the earth: the muscle WABA Body part of the space: the fat WAPA Body part of the plants: the hair WACA Body part of the water: the mouth WAZA Body part of matter: the bones WASA Body part of wisdom: the ears WAXA Body part of the fire: the belly WAVA Body part of knowledge: the eyes WAFA Body part of making: the hand WAQA Body part of the death: the intestines WAGA Body part of volition: the feet WAKA Body part of the moon: the face WARA Body part of the life: the heart WANA Body part of affection: WALA Body part of the sun:
KINDS OF PERSONS
YADA Person of the Sky: a herdsman YAJA Person of Relation: a kinsman YATA Person of the Animals: a hunter YAMA Person of the Earth: a farmer YABA Person of Distance: a traveler YAPA Person of the Plants: a miller YACA Person of the Water: a fisherman YAZA Person of Matter: a merchant YASA Person of Wisdom: a sage YAXA Person of Fire: a cook YAVA Person of Knowledge: a scribe YAFA Person of Making: a smith YAQA Person of Death: a warrior YAGA Person of Volition: a leader YAKA Person of the Moon: a hunter YARA Person of Life: a cleric YANA Person of Affection: a bride or groom YALA Person of the Sun: a musician
KINDS OF THINGS
HADA Sky or Air HAJA Relation HATA Animal HAMA Earth HABA Space HAPA Plant HACA Water HAZA Matter/Senses HASA Wisdom HAXA Fire HAVA Knowledge HAFA Making HAQA Death HAGA Volition HAKA Moon HARA Life HANA Affection HALA Sun
KINDS OF AIR
DAJA Air of Relation: DATA Air of Animals: Methane Gas DAMA Air of Earth: Dust DABA Air of Space: DAPA Air of Plants: Pollen DACA Air of Water: Fog DAZA Air of Matter: DASA Air of Wisdom: Incense DAXA Air of Fire: Smoke DAVA Air of knowledge: DAFA Air of Making: Steam DAQA Air of Death: Sulfuric Gas DAGA Air of Volition: DAKA Sky of the Moon: Night DARA Air of Life: Breath DANA Air of Affection: DALA Sky of the Sun: Day
KINDS OF RELATION
JADA Relation of the Sky: Influence, Concurrence JATA Relation of Animals: Agreement, Uniformity JAMA Relation of the Earth: Substance, Condition JABA Relation of Space: Existence, Circumstance JAPA Relation of Plants: Intrinsic & Extrinsic (JIPA) JACA Relation of Water: Equality, Whole JAZA Relation of Matter: Number, "Unity" (as in One) JAZAD: Five JAZED: Addition of Five JAZID: Multiplication of Five JAZOD: Subtraction of Five JAZUD: Division of Five JAZAC: Three JAZAM: Two JAZAX: One JAZAQ: Zero JAZAR: Seven JASA Relation of Wisdom: Greatness, Superiority JAXA Relation of Fire: Sequence JAVA Relation of Knowledge: Classification JAFA Relation of Making: Addition, Assemblage JAQA Relation of Death: Cause, Effect JAGA Relation of Volition: Power, Production JAKA Relation of the Moon: Time, Succession JARA Relation of Life: Event, Imminence, Earliness JANA Relation of Affection: Change, Changeableness JALA Relation of the Sun: Morning, Season
KINDS OF ANIMALS
TADA Birds of the Sky: Birds of Prey, Carrion Fowl, Sea Birds TAJA Birds of Relation: Song-birds, Poultry, Pigeons TAMA Beasts of the Earth: Flesh-Eating Mammals TABA Beasts of Space: Omnivorous Mammals TAPA Beasts of Plants: Plant-Eating Mammals TACA Fish of the Water: Fish, Sharks TAZA Fish of Matter: Mollusks & Cephalopods & Jellyfish TASA Fish of Wisdom: Whales, Dolphins TAXA Reptiles of Fire: crocodiles, dragons, lizards in general, frogs (TITHA) TAVA Reptiles of Knowledge: serpents TAFA Reptiles of Making: turtles & tortoises TAQA Bugs of Death: Slugs & Worms, Centipedes & Millipedes TAGA Bugs of Volition: Crawling Insects & Spiders TAKA Bugs of the Moon: Flying Insects TARA Domestic Animals of Life: Herd Animals (sheep, cattle, pigs, etc) TANA Domestic Animals of Affection: Cats & Dogs TALA Domestic Animals of the Sun: bees & butterflies
KINDS OF EARTH
MADA Earth of the Sky: Meteoric Rock MAJA Earth of Relation: Home MATA Earth of Animals: Dung MABA Earth of Space: Mountain MAPA Earth of Plants: Mulch MACA Earth of Water: Mud MAZA Earth of Matter: Storehouse MASA Earth of Wisdom: Temple MAXA Earth of Fire: Lava MAVA Earth of Knowledge: Crystal MAFA Earth of Making: Metal MAQA Earth of Death: Stone MAGA Earth of Volition: Road MAKA Earth of the Moon: Mineral MARA Earth of Life: Soil MANA Earth of Affection: Meeting Hall MALA Earth of the Sun: Sand
KINDS OF SPACE
BADA Space of the Sky: Width BAJA Space of Relation: Abode or Receptacle BATA Space of Animals: Inhabitants, Contents BAMA Space of Earth: Location BAPA Space of Plants: Region BACA Space of Water: Size BAZA Space of Matter: Exterior, Edge BASA Space of Wisdom: Side (Front, Rear, Left, Right, etc) BAXA Space of Fire: Distance BAVA Space of Knowledge: Depth BAFA Space of Making: Length BAQA Space of Death: Direction BAGA Space of Volition: Velocity BAKA Space of the Moon: Motion BARA Space of Life: Presence BANA Space of Affection: Rotation BALA Space of the Sun: Height
KINDS OF PLANTS
PADA Tree of the Sky: trees which are a source of lumber PAJA Tree of Relation: trees which are a source of fruits & nuts PATA Tree of Animals: trees which are a source of shade, but little else PAMA Vegetable of the Earth: vegetables with edible roots, tumors, or bulbs PABA Vegetable of Space: vegetables with edible leafs, shoots, or stems PACA Vine of the Water: river weed PAZA Vine of Matter: leafy vines, such as ivy PASA Vine of Wisdom: vines bearing fruit (such as grapes, tomatoes, melons, etc) PAXA Bush of Fire: bushes (and trees) producing pepper and other hot spices PAVA Bush of Knowledge: bushes producing berries PAFA Bush of Making: bushes producing beans and nuts PAQA Fungus of Death: mold, mildew, and fungus PAGA Fungus of Volition: moss and algae PAKA Fungus of the Moon: mushrooms & truffles PARA Grass of Life: grains PANA Grass of Affection: flowers PALA Grass of the Sun: all other grasses, including flax
KINDS OF LIQUIDS
CADA Water of the Sky: Rain CAJA Water of Relation: Milk CATA Water of Animals: the male seed CAMA Water of Earth: Spring CABA Water of Space: Ocean CAPA Water of Plants: Juice CAZA Water of Matter: Spit CASA Water of Wisdom: Lake CAXA Water of Fire: Oil (for lamps) CAVA Water of Knowledge: Oil (for aroma) CAFA Water of Making: Sweat CAQA Water of Death: Poison CAGA Water of Volition: River CAKA Water of the Moon: hard liquor CARA Water of Life: Blood CANA Water of Affection: Tears CALA Water of the Sun: Wine or Beer
KINDS OF MATERIAL QUALITIES
ZADA Matter of Air: Gravity ZAJA Matter of Relation: Adhesiveness (Stickiness) ZATA Matter of Animals: Furriness ZAMA Matter of Earth: Pulverance ZABA Matter of Space: Density ZAPA Matter of Plants: Elasticity ZACA Matter of Water: Taste ZASA Matter of Wisdom: Loudness ZAXA Matter of Fire: Warmth ZAVA Matter of Knowledge: Visibility ZAFA Matter of Making: Smoothness ZAQA Matter of Death: Dryness ZAGA Matter of Volition: Hardness ZAKA Matter of the Moon: Reflectivity ZARA Matter of Life: Tenacity ZANA Matter of Affection: Color ZALA Matter of the Sun: Brightness
KINDS OF WISDOM
SADA Wisdom of the Sky: Animal-care SAJA Wisdom of Relation: Breeding (Animals) SATA Wisdom of Animals: Tracking (Animals) SAMA Wisdom of Earth: Agriculture SABA Wisdom of Space: Architecture SAPA Wisdom of Plants: Botany SACA Wisdom of Water: Navigation SAZA Wisdom of Matter: Physics & Chemistry SAXA Wisdom of Fire: Thermodynamics SAVA Wisdom of Knowledge: Lore SAFA Wisdom of Making: Manufacturing SAQA Wisdom of Death: Strategy SAGA Wisdom of Volition: Law SAKA Wisdom of the Moon: Astronomy SARA Wisdom of Life: Medicine SANA Wisdom of Affection: Philosophy SALA Wisdom of the Sun: Quantum Energy (crystal control, aka natural magic)
KINDS OF FIRE
XADA Fire of the Sky: Lightning XAJA Fire of Relation: Fire at Night XATA Fire of Animals: Pit for Roasting XAMA Fire of the Earth: Lamp XABA Fire of Space: Star XAPA Fire of Plants: Oven XACA Fire of Water: Geyser XAZA Fire of Matter: Cinder XASA Fire of Wisdom: Sacred Flame XAVA Fire of Knowledge: Lantern XAFA Fire of Making: Kiln XAQA Fire of Death: Bonfire XAGA Fire of Volition: Planet XAKA Fire of the Moon: Torch XARA Fire of Life: Pot for cooking XANA Fire of Affection: Candle XALA Fire of the Sun: Flame
KINDS OF KNOWLEDGE
VADA Knowledge of the Sky: Judgment (the result of reasoning, concluding a matter) VAJA Knowledge of Relation: Reasoning (relating one thing to the other) VATA Knowledge of Animals: Evidence (particular bits of knowledge) VAMA Knowledge of Earth: Voice VABA Knowledge of Space: Language VAPA Knowledge of Plants: Diction VACA Knowledge of Water: Imagination VAZA Knowledge of Matter: Art; Vazama-Sculpture; Vazaca-Painting) VASA Knowledge of Wisdom: Writing VAXA Knowledge of Fire: Thought VAFA Knowledge of Making: Intelligence VAQA Knowledge of Death: Record or Chronicle VAGA Knowledge of Volition: Meaning VAKA Knowledge of the Moon: Expression VARA Knowledge of Life: Memory VANA Knowledge of Affection: Curiosity VALA Knowledge of the Sun: Hope
KINDS OF MAKING
FADA Animal Products (air): Skinning, Tanning, Leather-Working FAJA Animal Products (relation): Cheese-Making FATA Animal Products (animals): Butchering FAMA Plant Products (earth): Spindling, Weaving, Sewing FABA Plant Products (space): Basket-Making, Rope-Making, Tent-Making FAPA Plant Products (plants): Carpentry of all sorts FACA Water Products (water): Laundering, Soap-Making FAZA Water Products (matter): Dye-Making FASA Water Products (wisdom): Perfume-Making FAXA Fire Products (fire): Pottery FAVA Fire Products (knowledge): Smithing FAQA Death Products (death): Embalming, Gravedigging FAGA Death Products (volition): Mining FAKA Death Products (moon): Quarrying FARA Life Products (life): constructing buildings FANA Life Products (affection): baking, cooking FALA Life Products (the sun): the Candlestick Maker
KINDS OF DEATH
QADA Death of Air: Suffocation QAJA Death of Relation: Suicide QATA Death of Animals: Mauled QAMA Death of Earth: Crushing QABA Death of Space: Falling QAPA Death of Plants: Cut in twain QACA Death of Water: Drowning QAZA Death of Matter: Bled Out QASA Death of Wisdom: Poison QAXA Death of Fire: Burning QAVA Death of Knowledge: Senility QAFA Death of Making: Pierced QAGA Death of Volition: Murder QAKA Death of the Moon: Assassination QARA Death of Life: Old Age QANA Death of Affection: Disease QALA Death of the Sun: Sunstroke
KINDS OF VOLITION
GADA Volition of the Sky: Authority GAJA Volition of Relation: Contract GATA Volition of Animals: Liberty GAMA Volition of the Earth: Money GABA Volition of Space: Property GAPA Volition of Plants: Trade GACA Volition of Water: Opportunity GAZA Volition of Matter: Security GASA Volition of Wisdom: Utility GAXA Volition of Fire: Desire GAVA Volition of Knowledge: Preparation GAFA Volition of Making: Action GAQA Volition of Death: Hindrance GAKA Volition of the Moon: Agency, Instrument GARA Volition of Life: Completion GANA Volition of Affection: Skillfulness or Talent GALA Volition of the Sun: Goodness
KINDS OF MOON
KADA Moon of the Sky: "Pisces" (known to the Sumerians as the Swallow's Tail) KAJA Moon of Relation: Planet KATA Moon of the Animals: Aries (known to the Sumerians as the Herdsman) KAMA Moon of the Earth: Taurus, the Bull KABA Moon of Space: Star KAPA Moon of the Plants: Virgo, known to the Sumerians as the Ear of the Goddess' Corn KACA Moon of Water: Cancer, the Crab; known to the Sumerians as the Crayfish KAZA Moon of Matter: Meteor Shower KASA Moon of Wisdom: Libra, the Scales KAXA Moon of Fire: Capricorn, the Goat-Fish KAVA Moon of Knowledge: Ophiuchus, the Serpent-Holder, the Serpent (the "secret" 13th Constellation of the Zodiac) KAFA Moon of Making: Gemini, the Twins KAQA Moon of Death: the Scorpion-Moon, Scorpio KAGA Moon of Volition: "Sagittarius," known to the Sumerians as the Soldier KARA Moon of Life: Aquarius, known to the Sumerians as the Great One KANA Moon of Affection: Comet KALA Moon of the Sun: Leo, the Lion
KINDS OF GOODNESS
RADA Life of the Sky: walking with the LORD RAJA Life of Relation: the bond of friendship and family RATA Life of Animals: the dominion over the animals RAMA Life of the Earth: the bearing of children RABA Life of Space: the dwelling in the land RAPA Life of Plants: the fruitfulness of labor RACA Life of the Water: the provision of food and water RAZA Life of Matter: the eating of a great feast RASA Life of Wisdom: the contemplation of God and His creation RAXA Life of the Fire: the provision of clothing and shelter RAVA Life of Knowledge: the discovery of how things work RAFA Life of Making: the excellence of craftmanship RAQA Life of Death: the provision of rest RAGA Life of Voliition: the glory of sport RAKA Life of the Moon: the thrill of the hunt RANA Life of Affection: the sweetness of love RALA Life of the Sun: the playing of music
KINDS OF AFFECTION
NADA Affection of the Sky: Piety NAJA Affection of Relation: Brotherhood NATA Affection of Animals: Loyalty NAMA Affection of the Earth: Love NABA Affection of Space: Gratitude NAPA Affection of Plants: Pity NACA Affection of Water: Kindness NAZA Affection of Matter: Justice NASA Affection of Wisdom: Humility NAXA Affection of Fire: Excitement NAVA Affection of Knowledge: Wonder NAFA Affection of Making: Beauty NAQA Affection of Death: Temperance NAGA Affection of Volition: Courage NAKA Affection of the Moon: Modesty NARA Affection of Life: Joy NALA Affection of the Sun: Benevolence
KINDS OF SUN
LADA Sun of the Sky: Blue LAJA Sun of Relation: Red LATA Sun of Animals: Orange LAMA Sun of the Earth: Yellow LABA Sun of Space: Purple LAPA Sun of Plants: Green LACA Sun of Water: Friday LAZA Sun of Matter: Sunday LASA Sun of Wisdom: Saturday LAXA Sun of Fire: Tuesday LAVA Sun of Knowledge: Wednesday LAFA Sun of Making: Thursday LAQA Sun of Death: the Winter Solstice LAGA Sun of Volition: the Autumn Equinox LAKA Sun of the Moon: Monday LARA Sun of Fire: the Summer Solstice LANA Sun of Affection: the Spring Equinox
