Varakh

Varakh (pronounced "vah-rahk"), which combines the roots "Va-" (voice/speech) and "-rakh" (foundation/origin), described by the Hominis as "the voice that echoes through the stars." is the language of the Hominis and the most common language known throughout Aquariibuleus.

Phonology and Pronunciation

• Consonants: The Hominis language heavily features guttural sounds, emphasizing the back of the throat and aspirated consonants. Here's a detailed breakdown:
  • Plosives: /p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/, /g/
  • Nasals: /m/, /n/, /ɴ/ (uvular nasal)
  • Fricatives: /f/, /v/, /s/, /ʃ/, /x/, /χ/, /h/, /ɣ/
  • Affricates: /ts/, /dz/
  • Approximants: /ʁ/ (voiced uvular fricative)
  • Glottal Stops: /ʔ/
  • Liquids: /ʀ/ (trilled uvular), /l/
• Vowels:
  • Short Vowels: /i/, /e/, /a/, /o/, /u/
  • Long Vowels: /iː/, /eː/, /aː/, /oː/, /uː/
  • Diphthongs: /ai/, /ei/, /au/, /oi/
  • Schwa: /ə/ used as a neutral sound in unstressed syllables.
• Stress: Stress generally falls on the first syllable of the word but can shift in compound words or sentences to emphasize meaning.
• Sound Combinations: Consonant clusters are common, often resulting in guttural and rough-sounding words, such as “grak” (to cut) or “khrax” (to burn).

Grammar and Syntax

The Hominis language is agglutinative, meaning words are often formed by combining smaller morphemes (word parts) together to create complex meanings. This allows for a high degree of nuance and specificity in communication.

Nouns

• Case System: The language has a rich case system to indicate the role of nouns in a sentence. Here are the main cases:
  • Nominative (subject): no suffix
  • Accusative (direct object): -gat
  • Dative (indirect object): -mus
  • Genitive (possession): -ken
  • Ablative (movement away from): -thok
  • Instrumental (means by which an action is performed): -vak
• Pluralization: Plurals are typically formed by adding the suffix -ʁi or -ʃa:
  • Tzaɴ (star) → Tzaɴʁi (stars)
  • Khaʀaʃ (ship) → Khaʀaʃʃa (ships)
• Definite/Indefinite Articles:
  • Definite (the): Nu- as a prefix.
  • Indefinite (a/an): Ka- as a prefix.

Verbs

• Verb Conjugation: Verbs are conjugated based on tense, aspect, mood, and sometimes the subject’s person and number. Here’s a breakdown:
  • Tenses:
    • Past: Prefix Sʰa-
    • Present: Prefix Nu-
    • Future: Prefix Gʰa-
  • Aspect:
    • Perfective (completed action): Suffix -ɴu
    • Imperfective (ongoing action): Suffix -ʁʷa
  • Mood:
    • Indicative (statement of fact): No special marking.
    • Subjunctive (hypothetical/wish): Suffix -ʁak
    • Imperative (command): Prefix Kʰa-
• Example Conjugations:
  • To travel: Gʰatak
    • I traveled: Sʰa-gʰatak-ɴu
    • I travel: Nu-gʰatak
    • I will travel: Gʰa-gʰatak
    • I am traveling: Nu-gʰatak-ʁʷa
    • Travel!: Kʰa-gʰatak
• Negation: Negation is achieved by the prefix Ku-:
  • I do not travel: Ku-nu-gʰatak
  • Don’t travel!: Ku-kʰa-gʰatak

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives: These typically follow the noun they describe and agree in case:
  • Tall ship: Khaʀaʃ gʰaɴɴaʃ (Ship tall)
  • Tall ships: Khaʀaʃʃa gʰaɴɴaʃʃa (Ships tall)
• Adverbs: These are formed by adding -vek to the adjective root:
  • Quickly: Tsʰur-vek
  • He travels quickly: Nu-gʰatak tsʰur-vek

Pronouns

• Personal Pronouns:
  • I/me: Az
  • You (singular): Tu
  • He/she/it: Ek
  • We/us: Avak
  • You (plural): Tuk
  • They/them: Ekʃa
• Possessive Pronouns: Formed by adding -ken:
  • My: Azken
  • Your: Tuken

Vocabulary and Word Formation

Vocabulary in the Hominis language is built through root words combined with various prefixes, suffixes, and infixes to create specific meanings. Here are some common roots and how they can be expanded:

• Root Word: Tzaɴ (Star)
  • Tzaɴken: Star’s (possessive)
  • Tzaɴgʰatak: Star-travel (space travel)
  • Nu-tzaɴgʰatak: Star-traveler (astronaut)
  • Sʰa-tzaɴgʰatak-ɴu: Traveled among the stars (a poetic phrase for an explorer)
• Root Word: Khaʀaʃ (Ship)
  • Khaʀaʃʁak: Ship’s captain
  • Khaʀaʃgat: Ship object (cargo)
  • Ku-khaʀaʃʁak: Not the captain (an informal term for a subordinate)

Syntax and Sentence Structure

• Basic Sentence Structure: Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) is the standard structure, but word order can be flexible for emphasis or poetic effect.
  • The star guides the ship: Nu-tzaɴ khaʀaʃ gatak-ɴu
  • The ship is guided by the star: Nu-khaʀaʃ tzaɴ mus-gatak-ɴu
• Complex Sentences: Conjunctions like Ak (and), Ork (or), and Kʰu (but) connect clauses.
  • The star shines, and the ship travels: Nu-tzaɴʁak sʰaʁʃa, ak nu-khaʀaʃ gʰatak-ʁʷa
• Questions: Questions are formed by adding the particle -ha at the end of the verb or sentence.
  • Does the ship travel?: Nu-khaʀaʃ gʰatak-ha?

Translation Guide

• Word-by-Word Translation:
  • English: The ship travels quickly.
  • Hominis: Nu-khaʀaʃ nu-gʰatak tsʰur-vek
  • Breakdown:
    • Nu- (definite article)
    • Khaʀaʃ (ship)
    • Nu- (present tense)
    • Gʰatak (to travel)
    • Tsʰur-vek (quickly)
• Common Phrases:
  • "Greetings": Tsʰurʀak (Lit. "Quick moment")
  • "Safe travels": Gʰatakʀakʁʷa (Lit. "May your journey be swift and safe")
  • "Thank you": Tsaɴvek (Lit. "With the light of the stars" — expresses deep gratitude)
  • "Farewell": Nu-gʰatak tsʰuʁak (Lit. "Travel in the swift light")
  • "Help!": Ka-χʰak! (Lit. "Aid needed!" — an urgent call for assistance)
  • "Peace be upon you": Nu-sʰaʁʃʰi tu mus-gatak (Lit. "May the star's calm guide you")
  • "What is your name?": Tuken nemak-ha? (Lit. "Your name-what?")
  • "I don't understand": Ku-az tsʰorʀak (Lit. "I no understand")
  • "Where is the ship?": Nu-khaʀaʃ keʃa-ha? (Lit. "Ship where?")

Cultural Expressions and Idioms

• "May the star guide your path": Tzaɴɴaʃak-gʰatak musɴu. (Lit. "Star-path guide you.") — Common parting phrase wishing someone good fortune on a journey.
• "Walk in the shadow of giants": Kʰaɴa-ʁʷak-az mus taχɴu. (Lit. "I walk under shadows of giants.") — Used to express humility or respect when in the presence of someone powerful.
• "Burn like the first flame": Kʰraχan-ɴu ʁʷa nu-tʃakaɴ (Lit. "Burn-flame like the first.") — A phrase expressing passion and commitment, often used when taking on a difficult task.

Advanced Grammar

Verb Modifiers

• Evidentiality: The Hominis language uses suffixes to indicate the source of information or how certain the speaker is about a statement.
  • Direct experience: -zu
  • Reported information: -ʁun
  • Hearsay or uncertainty: -ʃak
• Examples:
  • "I saw the ship travel.": Az sʰa-khaʀaʃ gʰatak-zu.
  • "They say the ship traveled.": Ekʃa sʰa-khaʀaʃ gʰatak-ʁun.
  • "The ship might have traveled.": Nu-khaʀaʃ gʰatak-ʃak.

Complex Sentence Structures

• Relative Clauses: Introduced by the particle kʰa, which roughly translates to “that” or “which.”
  • Example: "The ship that I saw travels quickly."
  • Hominis: Nu-khaʀaʃ kʰa az sʰa-tʃax nu-gʰatak tsʰur-vek.
• Conditional Clauses: Marked by the conjunction ʃeʀ- (if) and kaɴ- (then).
  • Example: "If the star shines, then the ship will travel."
  • Hominis: ʃeʀ nu-tzaɴ sʰaʁʃa, kaɴ nu-khaʀaʃ gʰatak.
• Temporal Clauses: Time clauses are introduced with particles like ʀaʁʷak (when) and kʰaɴʁa (while).
  • Example: "While the ship travels, the stars will shine."
  • Hominis: Kʰaɴʁa nu-khaʀaʃ nu-gʰatak, nu-tzaɴʁi sʰaʁʃaʁa.

Sample Translation and Texts

Translation Exercise:

• English: "The great ship of the stars travels across the dark void, guided by the light of ancient times."
• Hominis: Nu-khaʀaʃʁak nu-tzaɴʁi gʰatak ku-keʔʌɴ mus nu-ʃaʁtsʰu nu-sʰʀatak.
  • Breakdown:
    • Nu-khaʀaʃʁak: "The great ship"
    • Nu-tzaɴʁi: "Of the stars"
    • Gʰatak: "Travels"
    • Ku-keʔʌɴ: "Through the dark void"
    • Mus: "Guided"
    • Nu-ʃaʁtsʰu: "By the light"
    • Nu-sʰʀatak: "Of ancient times"

Short Text in Hominis:

• Hominis: "Sʰʀatak-ɴu nu-avak gʰatak tzaɴgʰatak-ʁʷa nuʁʀaʃ. Khaʀaʃʁakʃa nu-avak sʰʃaʁʃa tʰan-ɴu tsaɴʃaʁtsʰu. Ku-keʔʌɴʁak nʰu-avak gʰarak, nu-avak sʰʁarak tzaɴgʰatak ku-ʁraʁʀak-ɴu."
• Translation: "In ancient times, we sailed the currents of stars, our ships shining like the first light. We fought the darkness and created our own path among the void."

Writing System

The Hominis language uses a combination of runic symbols and fluid, almost organic script that reflects their connection to nature and the stars. The script is written from left to right, with each symbol representing either a sound (phoneme) or a concept (logogram).

Alphabet and Symbols

• Runes for Consonants:
  • /p/: ᚠ
  • /t/: ᚢ
  • /k/: ᚦ
  • /g/: ᚨ
  • /ʀ/: ᚱ
  • /x/: ᛉ
  • /χ/: ᛃ
  • /m/: ᛗ
  • /n/: ᚾ
• Runes for Vowels:
  • /a/: ᚨ
  • /e/: ᛖ
  • /i/: ᛁ
  • /o/: ᛟ
  • /u/: ᚢ
• Logograms:
  • Tzaɴ (Star): ✨ (A star-shaped symbol)
  • Khaʀaʃ (Ship): ⛴️ (A symbol resembling a ship with organic curves)
  • Nu (The/Present): ➡️ (A forward arrow, symbolizing movement in time)

Sentence Structure in Writing

• Sentences are often written in a flowing, connected script, with each word or phrase linked together by a thin line, symbolizing the interconnectedness of the universe. Important concepts, such as “star” or “journey,” are highlighted with additional embellishments like small dots or lines emanating from the symbols.

Language Evolution

The Hominis language has evolved over centuries, influenced by their deep connection to bio-engineering and spacefaring. This evolution reflects in the language's adaptability, where new words are often created by combining existing roots with new affixes.

• Neologisms: The Hominis frequently create new words by blending existing ones to describe new technologies or discoveries.
  • Bio-engineered lifeform: Muχʰavak (from muʃ (life) + χʰak (create) + vak (tool))
• Dialectal Variations: Different Hominis fleets may develop their own dialects or regional variations, but the core language remains consistent enough for mutual understanding.

Cultural Impact on Language

The Hominis language is deeply tied to their culture and worldview. It reflects their respect for the natural world, their connection to the stars, and their emphasis on communal living and shared knowledge.

• Proverbs and Sayings:
  • "To walk among the stars": Tzaɴʁaʀɴu khaʀak (Lit. "One who walks with the stars" — a phrase used to describe someone wise or enlightened)
  • "The ship and the star are one": Khaʀaʃ nu tzaɴʁak (Lit. "Ship and star are united" — used to express unity or harmony)
• Ritual Language: Ceremonial or ritualistic language often includes more archaic forms of words and a greater use of poetic constructs, meant to invoke the ancient ties between the Hominis and the cosmos.

Learning and Using the Language

For those outside the Hominis culture, learning the language can be challenging due to its complex structure and the importance of subtle pronunciation differences. However, the widespread use of the language across Aquariibuleus as a common tongue means that many species learn at least a basic level of Hominis.

• Basic Learning Phrases:
  • "What is your name?": Tuʁak ʁi nu keʔɴ?
  • "I am learning your language": Azʁak nuʁʁak tuʁak sʰarakʰarɴu.
  • "How do you say [word]?": Ka tuʁak gʰatak [word] ʁakʁa?
• Common Misunderstandings: Due to the language's complexity, non-native speakers often struggle with correct inflection and the use of the more guttural sounds, which can lead to humorous or even offensive mistakes.

The Story of the Hominis

Tsaɴɴuʃaʁkhaʁa

Star-folk/Hominis

Sʰʀatak-ɴu tʃakaɴ nu-tzaɴʁi ʁaʁʷak nu-ʁaɴʁakɴu ʃaʁtsʰu. Kuʁraʀak nu-tzaɴɴuʃaʁkhaʁa, khaɴa nu-keʔʌɴʁak, musʰu nu-khaʀaʃʁak nu-χraχʰarɴu taχɴu. Khaʀaʃʁakʃa ʁaʁʷak-ke ʁaɴʁakɴu sʰʁarak tsʰurʀakɴu keʔʌɴ. Tzaɴɴuʃaʁkhaʁa sʰʁarak nu-tzaɴɴaʃak tzaɴgʰatakʁʷa, ʃeʀ-ɴuʃaʁɴu keʃa ʃaʁʃaʁa. ʀaʁʷak gʰatak, ku-ʃaʁʃaʁa nu-khaʀaʃʁak, keʃa tsʰurʀak-ɴuʃak ku-χraχʰarɴu tʰanɴu. Nuʀʀaʃ, musʰu ʁaʁʷak-keʁʀaɴ ku-tzaɴɴaʃak kuʁraʀakʃa. Kʰaɴʁa sʰʁarak, ʁʷak sʰʁarakʁak ʁʷak-tsʰurʀak ʃeʀ-ɴuʃaʁɴu, gʰatak-ɴu tzaɴɴaʃak-ke nu-ʃaʁtsʰu kuʃak ʁʷak. ʃaʁtsʰu nu-sʰʀatakʁak, ʃaʁtsʰu ku-keʔʌɴʁak.

In ancient times, the first light of the stars awakened, guiding the Hominis through the dark void. The end of light was near, as the great ship traveled through the shadows, seeking the path of the star. The ship, carrying the weight of the old world, sailed swiftly into the darkness. The Hominis, following the star's path, knew the light would only shine if they could reach their destination. As they traveled, the light began to fade, and the ship, once guided by the stars, faltered in its journey. Yet, their resolve remained strong, for they knew that even in the darkest times, the light of the stars would return. And so they sailed, each one holding onto the hope that the journey would end in light. The light of the ancients, the light in the void.

Breakdown:

• Sʰʀatak-ɴu tʃakaɴ nu-tzaɴʁi ʁaʁʷak nu-ʁaɴʁakɴu ʃaʁtsʰu. "In ancient times, the first light of the stars awakened."
  • Sʰʀatak-ɴu: "Ancient times"
  • Tʃakaɴ: "First light"
  • Nu-tzaɴʁi: "Of the stars"
  • ʁaʁʷak: "Awakened"
  • Nu-ʁaɴʁakɴu: "Guided"
  • ʃaʁtsʰu: "Light"
• Kuʁraʀak nu-tzaɴɴuʃaʁkhaʁa, khaɴa nu-keʔʌɴʁak, musʰu nu-khaʀaʃʁak nu-χraχʰarɴu taχɴu. "The end of light was near, as the great ship traveled through the shadows."
  • Kuʁraʀak: "End of light"
  • Nu-tzaɴɴuʃaʁkhaʁa: "Hominis" (Lit. "Star-folk")
  • Khaɴa: "As"
  • Nu-keʔʌɴʁak: "Near the void"
  • Musʰu: "Traveled"
  • Nu-khaʀaʃʁak: "Great ship"
  • Nu-χraχʰarɴu: "Through the shadows"
  • Taχɴu: "Seeking"
• Khaʀaʃʁakʃa ʁaʁʷak-ke ʁaɴʁakɴu sʰʁarak tsʰurʀakɴu keʔʌɴ. "The ship, carrying the weight of the old world, sailed swiftly into the darkness."
  • Khaʀaʃʁakʃa: "The ship"
  • ʁaʁʷak-ke: "Carrying"
  • ʁaɴʁakɴu: "Weight of"
  • Sʰʁarak: "Old world"
  • Tsʰurʀakɴu: "Swiftly"
  • Keʔʌɴ: "Darkness"
• Tzaɴɴuʃaʁkhaʁa sʰʁarak nu-tzaɴɴaʃak tzaɴgʰatakʁʷa, ʃeʀ-ɴuʃaʁɴu keʃa ʃaʁʃaʁa. "The Hominis, following the star's path, knew the light would only shine if they could reach their destination."
  • Tzaɴɴuʃaʁkhaʁa: "Hominis"
  • Sʰʁarak: "Following"
  • Nu-tzaɴɴaʃak: "Star's path"
  • Tzaɴgʰatakʁʷa: "Journey"
  • ʃeʀ-ɴuʃaʁɴu: "Would only shine"
  • Keʃa: "If"
  • ʃaʁʃaʁa: "Reach"
• ʀaʁʷak gʰatak, ku-ʃaʁʃaʁa nu-khaʀaʃʁak, keʃa tsʰurʀak-ɴuʃak ku-χraχʰarɴu tʰanɴu. "As they traveled, the light began to fade, and the ship faltered in its journey."
  • ʀaʁʷak: "Traveled"
  • Gʰatak: "Journey"
  • Ku-ʃaʁʃaʁa: "Began to fade"
  • Nu-khaʀaʃʁak: "The ship"
  • Keʃa: "And"
  • Tsʰurʀak-ɴuʃak: "Faltered"
  • Ku-χraχʰarɴu: "In the shadows"
  • Tʰanɴu: "Journey"
• Nuʀʀaʃ, musʰu ʁaʁʷak-keʁʀaɴ ku-tzaɴɴaʃak kuʁraʀakʃa. "Yet, their resolve remained strong, for they knew that even in the darkest times, the light of the stars would return."
  • Nuʀʀaʃ: "Yet"
  • Musʰu: "Remained"
  • ʁaʁʷak-keʁʀaɴ: "Strong"
  • Ku-tzaɴɴaʃak: "Dark times"
  • Kuʁraʀakʃa: "Would return"
• Kʰaɴʁa sʰʁarak, ʁʷak sʰʁarakʁak ʁʷak-tsʰurʀak ʃeʀ-ɴuʃaʁɴu, gʰatak-ɴu tzaɴɴaʃak-ke nu-ʃaʁtsʰu kuʃak ʁʷak. "And so they sailed, each one holding onto the hope that the journey would end in light."
  • Kʰaɴʁa: "And so"
  • Sʰʁarak: "They sailed"
  • ʁʷak sʰʁarakʁak: "Each one"
  • ʁʷak-tsʰurʀak: "Holding"
  • ʃeʀ-ɴuʃaʁɴu: "The hope"
  • Gʰatak-ɴu: "Journey would end"
  • Tzaɴɴaʃak-ke: "In light"
  • Nu-ʃaʁtsʰu kuʃak ʁʷak: "Light of the stars"
• ʃaʁtsʰu nu-sʰʀatakʁak, ʃaʁtsʰu ku-keʔʌɴʁak. "The light of the ancients, the light in the void."
  • ʃaʁtsʰu: "Light"
  • Nu-sʰʀatakʁak: "Of the ancients"
  • ʃaʁtsʰu: "Light"
  • Ku-keʔʌɴʁak: "In the void"