Conlang relay [relocated] (aka "The Cursed Relay")

[Zhen Lin]

Or perhaps have it as an irregular reflex of of retroflexes, e.g. /t`/ > /tr/ etc.

Query regarding Peninsular: might it be possible to make Xšali a Peninsular language? How much retconning will be required?

[Radius Solis]

Well... Xsali is really supposed to be its own thing. And though I really shouldn't try to claim fiefdom when it's going to be weeks still before I can start work on it, my hope is to be able to do a proto-Xsali. I've got a lot of thoughts now about what I want it to be like and I'm not sure they'd be very compatible with a deeper relationship to anything else.

This is not to say that Peninsular languages can't also be among the widely spoken minority languages in the Xsali empire, because that would be very reasonable for a region its size. But I really think Xsalian should be its own family.

[Zhen Lin]

Ah, that is fine. I was thinking that I need some space to place the still sketchy daughters of proto-Peninsular. (Can't have weird reconstructions if it's not motivated, you know.)

[Corumayas]

I'd suggest regular stress on the second syllable in Proto-Isthmus, with (C)(j)V(C) and (C)V(j)(C) allowed, medial plosive+plosive clusters agreeing in voicing, voiced coda stops becoming voiceless before an unvoiced consonant, and all coronal clusters agreeing in retroflexion (which means that /sd`/ would be realised as [s`d`]).

Sounds good. It looks like the retroflexes may not form clusters much though (e.g. they're left out of the "stop > fricative /adjacent to s" rule); it's possible that this is because they come from earlier clusters of *tr *dr *rt *rd where the *r has been lost.

We could also develop some /r/ from *ld *dl *ld` *d`l clusters.

Yeah, I was about to suggest something like that too; l > r in most clusters.


I estimate the chronology of the Eige-Isthmus family as follows:

c -4000: Eige-Isthmus continuum from somewhere south of the Eige to somewhere northeast of the Oltu; division developing between southern (Proto-Eige Valley) and northern (Pre-Proto-Isthmus) varieties. Urban culture emerging in the Eige delta.

c -3000: Proto-Isthmus spoken somewhere in the northeast. Old Ngauro is first written language in the region. Proto-Miwan is its close sister, spoken south of the delta and rapidly spreading upriver; the Ndak move into Latsomo.

c -2200: Western Isthmus. Ndak Ta has been spreading down the Eige, and now begins to replace Ngauro in the delta.

c -1900: reign of Tsinakan, height of Ndak Empire.

by c -1500: Ngauro dies out. Ndak Empire in decline or gone. Old Miwan (language reflected in Naidda borrowings) spoken in the south delta region (?).

c -1000: Proto-Ferogh. Meshi (upriver Miwan-speakers) conquer much of the Eige Valley and rule it for a couple centuries.

c +100: Classical languages, including Faraghin, Ferajin, and the Eastern Miwan dialects that gave rise to the extant wordlists.


Some likely Ngauro loans in Ndak Ta include: diàka "king", mos "city", lewalpau "to write", kenla "teacher, scribe", kaime "to study" and iskaimel "study (of)". The last seems to show both prefixing and suffixing, or possibly a circumfix.


Edit: no, wait; is- and -l are regular Ndak Ta verbal morphology... iskaimel means something like "let us study (it)" or "let (it) be studied".

[Dewrad]

Cedh, I only just noticed your maps. They're damn cool (they also show the need for some Hitatc loanwords in Adata and Gezoro- someone hurry up and make that language!).

The rumours about me working on Proto-Western are true. The basics of the language are pretty much finalised, and once I've come up with a culture sketch the language will be open for people to derive daughters from it should they wish to.

One thing I'm not going to do is derive Gezoro and Tjakori. Rather, I'm going to present that as a challenge to anyone brave enough to take it up. All that exists of Gezoro is a phoneme inventory and a list of about 20 or so words which were borrowed into Adata. There are several ways to arrive at the latter from Proto-Western that I've thought of, and I'm sure people can come up with other ways. So the challenge is to "join the dots" as it were. If anyone's interested in this challenge, contact me. Not only do you get the fun of doing it, you also get Gezoro and Tjakori as your personal fiefdoms!

[Radius Solis]

Some likely Ngauro loans in Ndak Ta include: diàka "king", mos "city", lewalpau "to write", kenla "teacher, scribe", kaime "to study" and iskaimel "study (of)". The last seems to show both prefixing and suffixing, or possibly a circumfix.


Edit: no, wait; is- and -l are regular Ndak Ta verbal morphology... iskaimel means something like "let us study (it)" or "let (it) be studied".

Actually "lewalpau" is native too. It was meant to be a slightly contracted compound of "write" (lewai) and "make" (alpau).

Also, "conquer" sounds a bit... formal and big, for the Meshi, who were intended to be a really very quiet and primitive group. All the Miwans were supposed to fit into the "primitive backwards original natives who kept to themselves in the forest and had shocking rituals" archetype.


Edit: for the lulz, here's the original Hittite text that the Sinakan text was based on. Credit both for the condensing of the legend and for re-finding the link today goes to Dewrad.

[Cedh]

Cedh, I only just noticed your maps. They're damn cool (they also show the need for some Hitatc loanwords in Adata and Gezoro- someone hurry up and make that language!).

Thanks! As mentioned earlier, I'm planning to sketch out a bit about the Hitatc family. At this moment I'm not sure though whether or not to make it related to one of Proto-Peninsular or Xšali. (The idea for a connection to the latter came from imagining correspondences along the lines of *kitiati > *xitjatj > xitatc and *kitiati > *ktSadi > xSali BTW.)

Actually "lewalpau" is native too. It was meant to be a slightly contracted compound of "write" (lewai) and "make" (alpau).

In this case lewai should be a Ngauro loan...

Edit: for the lulz, here's the original Hittite text that the Sinakan text was based on. Credit both for the condensing of the legend and for re-finding the link today goes to Dewrad.

[Salmoneus]

I'm not sure that we should keep the various ethnic groups having recognizable archetypes for all time, though. The Meshi may have been primitive and quiet two thousand years before the classical period, but that's no reason to think they remained so.

In particular, you described them, iirc, as an agricultural people. Yet the land they are on doesn't look all that fertile, and it probably borders onto nomadic lands. I don't think it would take much for many of the farmers to pack up and join the nomadic lifestyle. Look at the Turks, a group of peaceful goatherds halfway up a mountain. Compare the Magyar hordes that over-ran eastern Europe with the passive hunter-gatherers and herders of the Urals and Siberia.




I'm somwhat interested in Tjakori, and if nobody else does anything with her, I may have a go eventually. But I've got my own fiefdom, so others get first bite.


Speaking of my fiefdom, here's a tentative timeline of north-western happenings (more than flexible if people have suggestions):

c.-3000: Edak dialect continuum expands into Latsomo
c.-1800: Beginnings of Andagg Empire on the northern Ziphe (Kwimbei). "Empire" is a vainglorious term, it's nothing like their Ndak neighbours. Just a self-defense league of villages, with some religiou centralisation.

c. -1500: With the Ndak in severe decline, the Andagg are at their height, occassionally controlling parts of Latsomo

c.-1300: As the Ndak decline further, reasons for Andagg centralisation fade, along with trading opportunities. "Empire" fades out of existance.

c. -1000: Meshi "Empire" - really more of a confederated protection racket - controls the upper Ziphe.

c. -900: "Mohudza" alliance re-asserts control over the upper Ziphe (or "Kamay"). The Mohudza grow to be a powerful entity, warring against civilising Meshi to the east, and various nomads to the west (and native Ndok in the south, who are mostly tossed around between the various powers). The empire probably even reaches Rathedan briefly, but not long enough to leave much mark - the Mohudza are militarily vigourous, but poor on administration and diplomacy. Their military objectives are: a) defend the homeland; b) hurt enemies where possible; c) acquire loot from lesser races, mostly to facilitate a) and b). Occupation of land occurs only where these objectives require it, and rarely lasts long (because eventually it becomes easier just to accept pay-offs).

c. -600: Organised Mohudza 'state' (never greatly centralised) destroyed by barbarians. Some Mohudza take up the nomadic way. Others remain put and accept subjugation. Others flee to Mohudza outposts in the mountains to the north.

c. -300: First Population Crisis. Major expansion in mountains.

c. 100: Classical "Mohatš" (name provisional) spoken in mountains.

[Corumayas]

Actually "lewalpau" is native too. It was meant to be a slightly contracted compound of "write" (lewai) and "make" (alpau).

Oh, I see. Might "lewai" be a loan, though?

"Diàka" (Ngauro *djaka?) may be cognate with Faraghin "cark"; though the latter could also be a loan. (If it's native, it might be from PI *t`adzka or *t`alka or something...)

Does that chronology fit what you had in mind, other than the Meshi Empire part?

@ Mursili.

[Salmoneus]

Cedh, I only just noticed your maps. They're damn cool (they also show the need for some Hitatc loanwords in Adata and Gezoro- someone hurry up and make that language!).

Thanks! As mentioned earlier, I'm planning to sketch out a bit about the Hitatc family. At this moment I'm not sure though whether or not to make it related to one of Proto-Peninsular or Xšali. (The idea for a connection to the latter came from imagining correspondences along the lines of *kitiati > *xitjatj > xitatc and *kitiati > *ktSadi > xSali BTW.)

Personally, I think it's better to keep the language families we've got - it can be tempting to derive everything from everything else, but.... especially at this early stage of history...

[Cedh]

New versions of the maps, edited to reflect the comments...


Language map c. -4000



Language map c. -1900



Map of Ndak Empire at Tsinakan's death in -1874. Now with a few cities.



Athalē and Huyfárah, c. +500. Both empires are bigger now.

[Radius Solis]

Actually "lewalpau" is native too. It was meant to be a slightly contracted compound of "write" (lewai) and "make" (alpau).

Oh, I see. Might "lewai" be a loan, though?

Maybe... in general languages tend not to borrow terms for "word", though of course it can still happen. The same is true of "mother" but Finnish borrowed its word for "mother" from Germanic anyway. So I don't see why not.

"Diàka" (Ngauro *djaka?) may be cognate with Faraghin "cark"; though the latter could also be a loan. (If it's native, it might be from PI *t`adzka or *t`alka or something...)

Does that chronology fit what you had in mind, other than the Meshi Empire part?

I look forward to whatever you decide about diaka... certainly it sounds reasonable to have it come from the EI family. Yes, aside from the "empire" thing which was really just a terminology nitpick, if you think the chronology's sound then I'm happy with it too, I see nothing wrong.

[Dewrad]

Cedh- if it's not too much trouble, would a map of the "whole world" as we know it be possible? One including the Western and Isles spheres as well?

[Corumayas]

Actually "lewalpau" is native too. It was meant to be a slightly contracted compound of "write" (lewai) and "make" (alpau).

Oh, I see. Might "lewai" be a loan, though?

Maybe... in general languages tend not to borrow terms for "word", though of course it can still happen. The same is true of "mother" but Finnish borrowed its word for "mother" from Germanic anyway. So I don't see why not.

Ah, lewai is "word", not "write"... you mistyped. I understand now. So maybe it's a loan, maybe not. I won't assume it is.

I look forward to whatever you decide about diaka... certainly it sounds reasonable to have it come from the EI family. Yes, aside from the "empire" thing which was really just a terminology nitpick, if you think the chronology's sound then I'm happy with it too, I see nothing wrong.

I guess my concern is when, in the development of Naidda and Faralo, the borrowings from Old Miwan and Faraghin need to occur. We can't have words borrowed before the languages they're borrowed from exist!

What about Kasadgad: is it a native Ndak Ta word? It doesn't seem derivable from anything in the lexicon...

[Radius Solis]

Ah, I did indeed mistype, sorry. And I had the NT lexicon right in front of me at the moment too.

As for the timings of borrowings into Naidda and Faralo, and to a lesser extent Adata, frankly that has worried me. From Zompist's grammar of Faralo, it's not at all clear whether the Faraghin langauge is still extant at that time, or by when was it fully replaced, if it isn't. The Ndak and Faraghin having rubbed shoulders since at least -2000 implies an early language replacement; but the closeness of the Faraghin loanwords in Faralo to the forms of their source words tends to imply a rather late borrowing period.

Naidda's situation is even less clear, because it lacks Faralo's historical background to provide a basis for the borrowing from Miw. I wish I had a good answer, but I don't. The fact of the matter is that in the original game, we all did a number of things at the time that were simply not meant to withstand close examination later, and now we have to do what we can to plug the holes in the story.


Edit:
Kasadgad wasn't meant to be analyzable in any way, no. So if you want it to have been a borrowed placename, then that's what it is.

Kasadgad comes from the nick pharazon uses in IRC - Kasadkad. Which is itself the Tohono O'odham verb for "to spread the legs" (he says he just likes the sound of it, really...) and Tsinakan derives from Tzinacan, which is the nick I used in IRC at the time - which in turn was taken from the Nahuatl Tzinaca:n, "vampire bat". Tzinacan is still my wikipedia name. So ultimately both come from Uto-Aztecan langauges.

[zompist]

From Zompist's grammar of Faralo, it's not at all clear whether the Faraghin langauge is still extant at that time, or by when was it fully replaced, if it isn't. The Ndak and Faraghin having rubbed shoulders since at least -2000 implies an early language replacement; but the closeness of the Faraghin loanwords in Faralo to the forms of their source words tends to imply a rather late borrowing period.

The Faraghin conquest of the Oltu valley took place about -1400. If we use the Frankish conquest of France or the Norman conquest of England as models, even the ruling class would have lost Faraghin by -1000. The borrowings would come from between these dates.

There wouldn't have been any great reason for the hill tribes to learn Fáralo; Faraghin and Feråjin could easily have survived indefinitely. Feråjin would be more likely to survive longer as it was more peripheral.

[Corumayas]

In that case, we can't very well have Proto-Ferogh dating to 1000.

How about something like this then:
Proto-Isthmus: ca -3000
Western Isthmus: ca -2500
Proto-Ferogh: ca -1800
Faraghin: ca -1400

This probably means that Feråjin needs additional changes (about a thousand years' worth) to bring it up to +100.

Since we don't actually have the Miwan wordlist that Naidda borrowed from, I guess there's not much point in worrying about when those borrowings happened; they could have been anytime between -1900 and +100, since the Miu were there all along.

[Radius Solis]

Alright, the revised chronology should work. Given the generally conservative nature of the Isthmus family's sound changes, shortening the time depth for it is reasonable. And it's good to have a better idea now about Faraghin... and yeah, Feråjin (which I assumed would survive longer too, for the same reason) needs some more sound changes, if anything else is to be done with it. Or not, if not.


ALSO: Installment 2 of Delta Naidda. Enough of the basic grammar should now be there that it's not necessary to wait any longer before planning sound changes and whatnot, although I still have plenty to add to the document. I wish I could be like Dewrad and just crap out a good conlang in a mere four days, but I'm just not getting enough free time to go so fast. Still, progress is strong and steady. The grammar is still pretty close to the original grammar, but with more topics covered more closely.

[zompist]

Cool. How stable is the lexicon at this point?

Also, how do I adjectivize a noun? I still want to name my city 'Stinking Mud'...

[Radius Solis]

Cool. How stable is the lexicon at this point?

Also, how do I adjectivize a noun? I still want to name my city 'Stinking Mud'...

The lexicon linked to from the grammar is fully finalized, beyond the fact that I need to add a lot more words and that I forgot to change the "adj." on the former adjectives to "n."


Adjectivizing a noun in Naidda means placing it after the head of the noun phrase - all nouns can modify all others in this way, at least grammatically, though of course a great many combinations would be semantically incompatible. But there's no morphologically distinct class of adjectives anymore, as all the morphology has gone away and (given NT's pervasive zero-derivation) the line between noun and adjective has simply blurred to the point of vanishing. For more on that, see the "nominal modifiers" section" - there's examples.

That said, I can't find a suitable noun or verb in the currently-posted lexicon for stink / to stink. I had thought of the verb "duvo" as meaning the active sense of smelling - "I smell a rose" - but not necessarily the property of having a scent. Mud of course is wï'ma (formerly wima). So if "stinking" were X, it'd simply be wï'ma-X. If you want, you can make up a word for stench / stinking yourself, just let me know what it is and I'll add it and backfill an etymology. Or if you'd rather, I can supply one for you.

[Radius Solis]

While it's on my mind, I might as well post what the extended Ndak Ta vocab is, btw. So far the list has made it into the revised Adata lexicon, but not Naidda's or Faralo's. Sooner or later I'll add it to the actual lexicon page, but right now my attention is on Naidda grammar.


ROOTS

mik bread (noun)
mikwisma dough (noun)
rander jar (noun)
sonîda gravesite (noun)
sonîlau graveyard (noun)
palda valley (noun)
maki table (noun)
kwats chair (noun)
ngwartsi tool (noun)
arâwa dinner (noun)
bandoro early meal (noun)
nukwàkâ slime, mucus (noun)
dalsur honey (noun)
sarsâ tube, pipe (noun)
bwed son (noun)
tarang daughter (noun)
ingkotu wealth (noun)
akremo wax (noun)
dene reason (noun)
etsn manner, method, way (noun)
olau place (noun)
dikon thing (noun)
lartsartsa hour (noun)
bwogig bay (noun)
rorop peninsula (noun)
lâwa delta (noun)
remor earthquake (noun)
sikadn hurricane (noun)
murdak dream (noun)
mbod color (noun)
ndalidn energy (noun)
gubm life, survival (noun)
wat age (noun)
tsurgî pressure (noun)
eplain ball (noun)

basti gentle (adj)
sîteng different (adj)
sonulak imaginary, unrealistic, nebulous (adj)
ansetra prototypical (adj)
bot same (adj)
lanag good-smelling (adj)
kwat bad-smelling (adj)
sadlo rich-tasting (adj)
idur sour (adj)
ntial same (adj)
kuntor bright, well-lit (adj)
more dark, dim (adj)
rampa abundant (adj)
aubai active (adj)
ngâ adult, mature (adj)
nggam audible (adj)
eno bitter (adj)
ntomatn complex (adj)
adwa dark (adj)
iske equal (adj)
ondisi expert (adj)
ainte feeble (adj)
ompa flat (adj)
kinto generous (adj)
pipm useful (adj)
rorma typical (adj)
ntupa peaceful (adj)
ntia true (adj)
ntausia false (adj)
bendut tight (adj)
alngai common (adj)
lairi young (adj)
madn violent (adj)
oru visible (adj)
gingwi tall (adj)
saimpo alone (adj)
abwe stable (adj)
tsese steep (adj)
kun stiff/sturdy (adj)
malâwe successful (adj)
isi sudden (adj)
mbopm enough (adj)
bekwâu insufficient (adj)
algo sweet (adj)
ndêwu safe (adj)
ditai possible (adj)
mingwa powerful (adj)
mpitau private (adj)
sanlena public (adj)
lantai fast (adj)
osma recent (adj)
nabâu regular/predictable/reliable (adj)
auntu rich (wealthy) (adj)
ketsus unsafe (adj)
ndapi smart (adj)
santa legal (adj)
santau illegal (adj)
gets likely/probable (adj)
emau loose (adj)
kwaidn loud (adj)
wampum hollow (adj)
unggu lame/crippled (adj)
râwa mature (adj)
ngune moderate (adj)
imbai blind (adj)
mab blunt (adj)
tsingki separate (adj)
gilna slow (adj)
kukail tame (adj)
sête tidy (adj)
imbenta cheerful (adj)

kutso cough (verb)
uru cure (verb)
popu dance (verb)
sapum derive from (verb)
muba exchange (verb)
makras face (verb)
tingia flash (verb)
rekibas flood (verb)
abbwa bloom (verb)
ibbwen fold (verb)
sapmi force (verb)
ongiu guess (verb)
deki hate (verb)
sungiar help (verb)
awio hope (verb)
kuk hurry (verb)
sides jump (verb)
mebis lack (verb)
sebbwa lie (verb)
gubab mark, make a mark on (verb)
gangio move (verb)
obial offer (verb)
ubapm allow (verb)
pirain plan (verb)
dungwi praise (verb)
susi record (verb)
dusam regret (verb)
kaumisi reprimand (verb)
bungia reward/bless (verb)
depmai shave (verb)
gabbwa share (verb)
gagak smile (verb)
ngwargudn sneeze (verb)
dimbang store, put away (verb)
midgai thank (verb)
nugats trade (verb)
miga trust (verb)
nelgan twist (verb)
sema wait (verb)
kumba waste (verb)
nagebi work (verb)
bungie wound, hurt, injure (verb)
tautsi bend (verb)
estela burn (verb)
gondag dream (verb)
mastu whistle (verb)
aisi color, paint (verb)
kota cover (verb)
sasamas crown (verb)
targo rebel (verb)
nailin judge (verb)
kwengatsak exile (verb)
eskidn cook (verb)
bora nurse (verb)
etsen act/behave (verb)
lane aim (verb)
lonsia answer, reply (verb)
lusit try (verb)
miskwi blame (verb)
numagi boast (verb)
diedel bribe (verb)
estasa change (verb)
dodo weary (verb, erg)
pitsi pale (verb, erg)
iro open (verb, erg)
tsampa free (verb, erg)
igrik absorb (verb)
tutu amaze (verb)
nises annul (verb)
tsaisai arise (verb)
ndulabm arrange (verb)
kasnie avoid (verb)
kumpaiwa believe (verb)
simbor boil (verb)
lekta collect (verb)
kimpal complain (verb)
ngkasta continue (verb)
wisai yell, cry out (verb)
mbura decide (verb)
semen deny (verb)
ebraib describe (verb)
kosiriman desert (verb)
salatpu dispose of, throw away (verb)
kwetsn drop, let go of (verb)
upla explain (verb)
ragol fill (verb)
posmun flee (verb)
gua follow (verb)
kaktod greet (verb)
dioba imagine (verb)
meledn include (verb)
budna listen (verb)
isten lose (verb)
tianai marry (verb)
nembi mean, intend (verb)
mese meet (verb)
rebli oppose (verb)
nalunguk organize (verb)
dengie please (verb)
tsebor pour (verb)
morar prefer (verb)
sien prove (verb)
denai punish (verb)
nggawi put (verb)
pokpo refuse (verb)
lisedgo shake (verb)
lasi close, shut (verb)
odgabm suffer (verb)
pupibat threaten (verb)
darem warn (verb)
lapabap ignore (verb)
wirdel wear (verb)
dalmit host, hold, present (verb)
albitra explode (verb)
totoli be clumsy (verb)
mboraul be careful (verb)
kail don (clothing) (verb)
eslê pour (verb)
ligio form (verb)
mpaskali assert, declare (verb)
ndepes gather (verb)
ntsertim discuss (verb)
pesa defecate (verb)
apridn be horrified (verb)
tsesir be born (verb)
isâri allow, permit (verb)
omula chat, converse (verb)
tingke compel, coerce (verb)
uwaits be cloudy (verb)
inta be hanging (non-execution) (verb)
relsi be hot (weather) (verb)
lasetn build (verb)
bâil burp (verb)
dowo grumble, mutter (verb)
ôriwal ignite (verb)
papsadn hiccup (verb)
tasbam imply (verb)
ulbor kneel (verb)
riam learn (verb)
ailpabm melt (verb)
kasil look (at) (verb)
kwatopm smash (verb)
ndegret shout (verb)
ingkwak sense, perceive (verb)
sepen murmur, mumble (verb)
owu grieve, mourn (verb)
bwats sweat (verb)
ngwerde squirt, spurt (verb)
tsatsa sneeze (verb)
kwindamis understand (verb)
mowâ dawn (verb) (verb)

kikik lightning (verb) (verb)
abwodnodn thunder (verb) (verb)
tsig urinate (verb)
atulsa tell (verb)
miukur try (verb)
êlakra urge (verb)
abmod walk (verb)
idgir whisper (verb)
ngket wilt (verb)
tuanau avoid, prevent, ward off (verb)



IDIOMATIC MOOD FORMS

definitions given as "(meaning of root) --> (idiomatic meaning after morphology applied)"

*** Ngwi-, admonitive ***
ngwitsampi give -> owe (verb)
ngwisab drink -> be egged on; be emboldened (verb)
ngwipaingkwul fear+PASS -> terrible, frightening (adj)
ngwinon go -> be unwelcome (verb)
ngwibespil punish+PASS -> one deserving of punishment (noun)
ngwipopu dance -> socialize (verb)
ngwideki hate -> be wronged by sth. (verb)
ngwiawio hope -> have a (bright) future (verb)
ngwikuk hurry -> be running late (verb)
ngwidepmai shave -> be unkempt (verb)
ngwimidgai thank -> owe gratitude (verb)
ngwiupla explain -> owe an explanation for (verb)
ngwitianai marry -> get (someone) pregnant (verb)

*** uk-, optative ***
ukonggai break -> be extremely upset (verb)
ukwuku blame -> have a failure of conscience (verb)
upmiasko celebrate -> be joyous (verb)
ukoto come -> anticipate (verb)
uktsobi control -> covet (verb)
upmondu count -> be picky about (verb)
utnots die -> be suicidal (verb)
uksab drink -> want to participate in; look forward to (verb)
ukain farm -> be unambitious (verb)
ukoslok forget -> have a bad experience with (verb)
uktsampi give -> be horny (verb)
ukpenta fuckup -> loser, lowlife (noun)
ugbâre have -> lack (verb)
uktsutorla insult -> deserve disdain (verb)
upmatn know -> investigate (verb)
ugbal lie down -> be sleepy (verb)
ukumâi repair -> repentant (adj); seek restitution (verb)
ukausabu sacrifice+NOM -> bloodthirsty priest (noun)
ukambi say -> announce (verb)
ukula rise -> enroll in the priesthood (verb)
upmalwe suck -> suck (in the English colloquial sense) (verb)
ukembur swim -> behave recklessly (verb)
uktsaing wash -> be dirty (verb)
ugbanai worship -> worship (heartfelt) (verb)
ukem turn -> judge onesself harshly (verb)
upmakraspu face -> supplicate+NOM -> supplicant (noun)
ukawio hope -> hopeless (adj)
uktianai marry -> be engaged to (verb)
ukumpaiwal believe+PASS -> want to be believed (verb)
ukupla explain -> be apologetic (verb)
ugdungwil praise+PASS -> seek attention (verb)
ugmidgail thank+PASS -> feel gratitude is due one (verb)
uklusit try -> be eager (verb)
ukistendu lose -> subterfuge+NOM -> wily/crafty/devious person (noun)

*** ru-, habitive (habitually X) ***
rorte run -> be athletic (verb)
rembur swim -> drown (verb)
rimbwa use -> normally use (verb)
rungwâi think -> be intelligent (verb)
rulolmau visit -> be a regular visitor (verb)
rulmo steal -> be a professional thief (verb)
rungata sleep -> be lazy (verb)
rubimbo rub -> masturbate excessively (derog.) (verb)
rumêli read -> study (a particular subject) (verb)
ruwapa hit -> mismanage (verb)
râidai need -> be hooked on (verb)
rungango laugh -> be insensitive (verb)
raitn keep -> be greedy (verb)
rubâre have -> be accustomed to privelege (verb)
rungguko deceive -> be a liar (verb)
rupasto attack -> be agressive (verb)
rukpokpo refuse -> opt. be stubborn (verb)
rudioba imagine -> be daydreamy (verb)
ruposmun flee -> be cowardly (verb)
rugua follow -> be gullible (verb)
risten lose -> have bad luck (verb)
rungkasta continue -> always make it through (verb)
rututu amaze -> be unpredictable (verb)
runumagi boast -> always be full of shit (verb)
retsen behave -> characteristically be or act (like something or in some manner) (verb)
rupiraindu plan+NOM -> one who has foresight (noun)
rugbungialbu reward+OPT+PASS+NOM -> one who always wants to be rewarded (noun)

*** ol-, reputative/obligative (should X) ***
oloto come -> deserve a place, be legitimately included (verb)
olnon go -> need to use the bathroom (verb)
olkenau ask -> need permission for (verb)
olkenaun ask+PAST -> trespass (verb)
olnotsn die+PAST -> survive (a dangerous experience) (verb)
oltu eat -> be starving (verb)
oldas fight -> be a conscripted soldier (verb)
olmatn know -> be expected to know; be responsible for knowing or being an expert on (verb)
olngango laugh -> be serious (in tone) (verb)
olaitsu promise -> be serious (about a relationship) (verb)
olerbo rest -> be exhausted (verb)
olina see -> be blind to (verb)
olanta stop -> do too much (verb)

*** er-, futilitative/approximative (trying to X) ***
ersab drink -> choke, have food/water go down the wrong way (verb)
erandenam breathe -> gasp (verb)
ernots die -> seriously sicken; be very or terminally ill (verb)
erbambi fail -> accidentally succeed (verb)
ernarno cut -> do (something, to one's own detriment) (verb)
eroto come -> to work towards, try for (verb)
erdas fight -> be agressive (verb)
eralnia fly -> be insane (verb)
eranto hear -> listen (verb)
eruntai joke -> failed joke (noun)
eraula love -> be impotent (verb)
eraitsu promise -> con, defraud (verb)
erwompo remember -> forget (verb)
erambi say -> babble, ramble (verb)
erande stand -> fall down, be drunk (verb)
erembur swim -> drown (verb)
erkeng walk -> hobble, limp (verb)
erimbwa use -> be clumsy with (verb)
eralpau make -> work on (making something) (verb)
erangwâi think -> confuse (something) (verb)
erem turn -> fail to change (e.g. a bad trait or habit) (verb)
ertutu amaze -> be adequate (verb)
erabbwabu bloom+NOM -> one who never quite gets anywhere (noun)

*** tso-, hyperprobabilitive ***
tsomebisn lack-PAST -> be hungry for (verb)
tsopirain plan-PAST -> be successful at (verb)
tsetsen behave -> mimic (verb)
tsodgabm suffer -> deserve pity (verb)
tsisten lose-PAST -> be depressed (verb)




DERIVATIONS


*** -lau (place of X) ***
banailau worship -> temple, church (noun)
tsainglau wash -> bathroom, toilet room (noun)
otolau come -> destination (noun)
emlau turn -> bend in the road (noun)
kaimlau study -> school (noun)
mêlau journey -> destination (noun)
ntalau stop -> death, funeral (noun)
mbilau say -> auditorium, podium, pulpit (noun)
ismalau sew -> seamstress' shop (noun)
ausalau sacrifice -> altar (noun)
erbolau rest -> sickhouse (noun)
kumlau repair -> repair shop (noun)
rolau play(instroment) -> stage (noun)
alpaulau make -> workshop (noun)
wimlau live -> home, house (noun)
ngatlau sleep -> bed (noun)
rantolau hear -> place where an audience sits/stands (noun)
muslau grow -> place of origin; childhood home (noun)
osloklau forget -> old age (noun)
daslau fight -> battlefield (noun)
ainlau farm (verb) -> farm (noun) (noun)
tulau eat -> table (noun)
watslau dig -> hole (in the ground) (noun)
ebrilau destroy -> ruins (noun)
ngguklau deceive -> marketplace (noun)
sigdalau corrupt -> brothel (noun)
tsoblau control -> office (noun)
ablau commit crime -> crime scene (noun)
gonggailau break -> weak point, achilles' heel (noun)
engkalau animal -> animal den (noun)
aindlau ashes -> dump, trash heap (noun)
kilau barley -> bushel (noun)
moslau city -> large city (noun)
simlau cloud -> sky (noun)
mâislau cow -> pasture (noun)
alilau fire -> hearth, fireplace (noun)
mpaislau fish -> fishing hole (noun)
wenlau herb -> garden (noun)
mulau ice -> the Northern Mountains (noun)
salau meat -> butcher's shop (noun)
ntindolau metal -> smithy (noun)
wismalau mud -> swamp (noun)
pailbelau sand -> beach (noun)
gaidlau rabbit -> rabbit warren (noun)
nakaimelau soothsaying -> fortune-teller's shop (noun)
bamborlau strength -> capital city (noun)
ospaklau throne -> palace, castle (noun)
ongiulau guess -> courtroom, trial (deprecative) (noun)
sungiarlau help -> sanctuary (noun)
pirainlau plan -> conference room (noun)
susilau record -> archive (noun)
dimbanglau store -> closet, storage room (noun)
semalau wait -> line, queue (noun)
kumbalau waste -> outhouse, cesspit (noun)
nagebilau work -> workplace (noun)
tautsilau bend -> crease (noun)
nailinlau judge -> courtroom (formal) (noun)
eskidnalau cook -> kitchen (noun)
kimpalau complain -> tavern, watering hole (noun)
meselau meet -> meeting place (noun)

*** -bu, agentive/patientive ***
kendu ask -> skeptic (noun)
untsibu blow -> cloud (noun)
otobu come -> event (noun)
abâbu commit crime -> criminal (noun)
mondubu count/measure -> accountant, manager (noun)
notsabu die (erg) -> corpse (noun)
ebribu destroy -> one who destroys (noun)
sompispu defeat -> battle leader (noun)
nggukobu deceive -> liar (noun)
watsabu dig -> beggar (noun)
daspu fight -> warrior (noun)
aipu freeze (erg) -> frost (noun)
muspu grow (erg) -> penis (noun)
bârbu have/possess -> owner (noun)
rantobu hear -> audience (noun)
bwenggorbu honor -> pilgrim, grave visitor (noun)
randelbu hurry (erg) -> runner (noun)
desmogbu hunt -> hunter (noun)
untaibu joke -> comedian (noun)
mêbu journey -> traveler (noun)
aitnabu keep -> a (material) possession (noun)
engkubu kill -> murderer (noun)
matnabu know -> wise man, sage (noun)
balbu lie down (erg) -> sick person (noun)
tsinbu like -> boyfriend, girlfriend, lover (noun)
alpaubu make -> creator, inventor (noun)
robu play an instrument -> musician (noun)
bespibu punish -> slavemaster (noun)
ngadbu sleep (erg) -> sleeping person (noun)
mbîbwebu sing -> singer (noun)
aulmobu steal -> thief (noun)
kaimbu study -> student (noun)
ngwâibu think/believe -> believer, follower (noun)
imbwabu use (erg) -> instrument, tool (noun)
banaibu worship (erg) -> prophet (noun)
lewalpaubu (write) -> writer, poet (noun)
urubu cure -> doctor (noun)
sidespu jump -> frog (noun)
bungiabu bless -> priest (noun)
nugatspu trade -> trader (noun)
nagebibu work -> laborer (noun)
gondagbu dream -> dreamer, mystical person, prophet (noun)
lusidbu try -> failure (noun)
eskidnabu cook -> a cook (noun)
nailindu judge -> a judge (noun)
aisibu color -> artist, painter (noun)
lektabu collect -> hobbyist, collector (noun)
kimpalbu complain -> woman who complains too much; shrew (noun)
wisaibu yell -> someone easily angered (noun)
budnabu listen -> a spy (noun)

[Zhen Lin]

Personally, I think it's better to keep the language families we've got - it can be tempting to derive everything from everything else, but.... especially at this early stage of history...

On the other hand, I'm not sure that there should be so many totally unrelated languages on the same continent. Unless, say, it was the size of Asia. Which doesn't really have all that many families either. (Please don't mention Papua New Guinea.) Then again, maybe we can say that language truly did originate multiple times in this world? Hmm.

Also, regarding maps: on the original map there seems to be a river dividing Xšali and the general area of the peninsula.

[Legion]

On the other hand, I'm not sure that there should be so many totally unrelated languages on the same continent. Unless, say, it was the size of Asia. Which doesn't really have all that many families either. (Please don't mention Papua New Guinea.) Then again, maybe we can say that language truly did originate multiple times in this world? Hmm.

Also, consider the Khoisan languages: a so-called family which in facts consist of 3 distinct families + 2 isolates! All this on a small territory where Indoeuropean and Bantu languages are also spoken!

[Salmoneus]

Well, in Europe alone we've got four surviving language families. There were probably more in the past, depending on how many languages you think are related (the two other Iberian families, possibly Pictish, if not then Orcadian at least, and then Etruscan, and Eteocretan.

Assuming the "Han expand, everyone else buggers off" model of ancient Chinese language is correct, then China probably has at one or another point had Tungus, Mongolian, Sino-Tibetan, Turkic, Miao-Yao, Tai-Kadai, Austronesian, and Indo-European. With some Korean, Ainu, Munda-Mon-Khmer, Dravidian and Burushaski spoken on its borders. Forgetting about any languages that may have been displaced without trace. Yes, some of those language may have been related, but my point is that as you move further back in time, away from later empires and mass migrations and infrastructure, and toward more settled, trading peoples, you're going to find it harder and harder to group everything into a few easy families.

I mean who knows what was spoken in 4000BC in Europe?

[Zhen Lin]

Yes, I suppose it's plausible that linguistic diversity would be greater in the past provided there is a sufficiently spread out population. Hmmm. But then almost all of these language families on this nameless continent seem to survive? I guess more pruning would occur.

Also, consider the Khoisan languages: a so-called family which in facts consist of 3 distinct families + 2 isolates! All this on a small territory where Indoeuropean and Bantu languages are also spoken!

... but it's Africa! Humans have been there forever!