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This article or section is a work in progress. The information below may be incomplete, outdated, or subject to change.
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The Meckelnish language is an official language of the United Kingdom of Meckelnburgh and the constituent states of Meckelnburgh and Branniboria, where it is spoken second to Istvanistani by a majority of the population. Meckelnish is a Crando-Batavian language, with heavy influences of Alexandrian, another national language of Meckelnburgh.
Phonology
Consonants
|
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Labial
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Dental
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Alveolar
|
Post-
alveolar
|
Palatal
|
Velar
|
Glottal
|
| Nasal
|
m
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
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| Plosive
|
p
|
b
|
|
|
t
|
d
|
|
|
k
|
g
|
|
| Fricative
|
f
|
v
|
θ
|
ð
|
s
|
z
|
ʃ
|
(ʒ)
|
ç
|
x
|
h
|
(ɦ)
|
| Approximant
|
|
|
l
|
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j
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w
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|
| Rhotic
|
|
|
ɹ
|
|
|
|
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Monophthongs
|
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Front
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Central
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Back
|
| unrounded
|
rounded
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| oral
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nasal
|
oral
|
nasal
|
| Close
|
i
|
|
y
|
|
u
|
|
| Near-close
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ɪ
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(ʏ)
|
|
|
|
| Mid
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e̞
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(ɛ̃)
|
|
(ə)
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o
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(ɔ̃)
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| Open
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a
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(ã)
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|
|
ɑ
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Diphthongs
|
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Fronting
|
Backing
|
| Close
|
ui̯
|
|
| Close-mid
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ei̯
|
ou̯
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| Open-mid
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ɔi̯
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ɛu̯
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| Open
|
ai̯
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au̯
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Consonants (extended)[A]
|
|
Labial
|
Dental
|
Alveolar
|
Post-
alveolar
|
Palatal
|
Velar
|
Uvular
|
Glottal
|
| Nasal
|
m
|
|
n
|
|
(ɲ)
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(ŋ)
|
|
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| Plosive
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p
|
b
|
|
t
|
d
|
|
|
k
|
g
|
|
|
| Aff.
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sibilant
|
|
|
|
(t͡ʃ)
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(d͡ʒ)
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[(t͡ɕ)]
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[(d͡ʑ)]
|
|
|
|
| nonsibilant
|
|
|
|
|
(c͡ç)
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(ɟ͡ʝ)
|
|
|
|
| Fricative
|
f
|
v
|
θ
|
ð
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s
|
z
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ʃ
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(ʒ)
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ç
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[(ʝ)]
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x
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[ɣ]
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(ʁ)
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h
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(ɦ)
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| Appx.
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central
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|
|
ɹ
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|
j
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|
|
|
| lateral
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|
(ɫ)
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l
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(ʎ)
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|
|
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| labial
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|
|
|
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(ɥ)
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(ʍ)
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w
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|
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- ^ A Sounds marked by (…) are non-phonemic, allophonic or marginal. Sounds marked by […] are
historical.
H-realization
| Voiceless
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Voiced
|
| sound
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/h/
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sound
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/h/
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| /i/, /j/
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/ç/
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/u/
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(/ʁ/)
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| /ɪ/
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/ç̠/
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/o/
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(/ɦ̹/)
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| /e/
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/ç̞/
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| /ə/
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/h̝̠/
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| /e̞/
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/h̝/
|
|
| /ɛ/, /a/
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/h/
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/ɑ/
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(/ɦ/)
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Syllables
Basic structure: (C)(C)(C)V(C)(C)(C). Only one vowel or diphthong per nucleus.
Consonants
Yod insertion
| Target vowel
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Trigger
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Constraints
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Syllable
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Example
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Notes
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| /uː/, /yː/
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Labials, velars, /h/ (non-approximants)
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—
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Onset
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*/huːs/ → /hjuːs/
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no palatalization, only used in and limited to Old Meckelnish, not Early Modern or Modern
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| /y/, /ʏ/
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Non-lab. or pal. consonants
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—
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Onset
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*/fyɹt/ → /fjyɹt/
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—
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| /y/, /ʏ/, /u/, /o/
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Consonant clusters
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Non-labializing final C, stressed syllables
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Onset (syllable-initial)
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*/pɑlm.o/ → /pɑlm.jo/
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with palatalization, if required
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| /y/, /ʏ/, /u/
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—
|
—
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Onset (word-initial)
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*/yt.ãn/ → /jyt.ãn/
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—
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| /u/
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Pal. non-approximants
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Stressed syllables
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Onset
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*/bat.u/ → /bat͡ʃ.ju/
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with palatalization, if required
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| /ç/
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—
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Onset
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*/çum/ → /çjum/
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—
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| any
|
—
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Bare, stressed syllables
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Onset
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*/bʏn.ɑ/ → /bʏɲ.jɑ/
|
—
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Sound mutations
Palatalization and postalveolarization
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Postalveolar
|
Palatal
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| Nasal
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n → (ɲ)
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| Affricative
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t → (t͡ʃ)
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d → (d͡ʒ)
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k → (c͡ç)
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g → (ɟ͡ʝ)
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| Fricative
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s → ʃ
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z → (ʒ)
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x → ç
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h → ç
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| Approx.
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lateral
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l → (ʎ) / lʲ
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| labial
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w → (ɥ) / wʲ
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Aspiration
|
|
Labial
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Alveolar
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Velar
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| Plosive
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pʰ
|
tʰ
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kʰ
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Labialization
|
|
Velar
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| Plosive
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kʷ
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gʷ
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| Fricative
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xʷ
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| Approximant
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lʷ / (ɫʷ)
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| Rhotic
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ɹʷ
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Articulatory mutations process[C]
| Target sound
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Trigger
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Mutation
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Syllable
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Example
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Notes
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| any vowel
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/ɹ/ or /l/ + consonant (lab.), or consonant (lab.) + (/ɹ/ or /l/), in clusters
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Labialization
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Thoughout
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*[gɹuɫ] → [gʷɹʷuɫʷ]
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labialization moves through liquids, general rule
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| /s/ + plosive (voiceless), in clusters
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Palatalization blocking
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Onset
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/skjup/ → /skjup/
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controls over all other palatalization rules
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| /ç/
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Thoughout
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/çjup/ → /çjup/
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—
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| Consonants (if not palatalized, voiceless plosives, /p/, /t/, /k/)
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Aspiration
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Onset (aside verb)
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*[tau̯n] → [tʰau̯n]
|
—
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| /i/
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/l/ (onset)
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Palatalization
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Onset
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*/lik/ → /ʎik/
|
—
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| Approximants (triggered in following syllable, /l/ and /w/)
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Transitional palatalization
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Coda (trans syllabic)
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*[ke̞l.in] → [ke̞lʲ.in]
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/lʲ/ and /wʲ/ used
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| /i/ (before)
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Approximants and rhotics (/l/, (/ɫ/), /ɹ/)
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Labialization
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Coda
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*[θilt] → [θilʷt]
|
—
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| /y/, /ʏ/
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Fricatives (post-palatal, /ç/, /h/, (/ɦ/))
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Deletion
|
Onset
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*/hyt/ → /yt/
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apply vowel sequence resolution
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| Fricatives and plosives (postalveolar, /t/, /d/, /s/, /z/), approximants (/l/ and /w/), nasals (/n/)
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Palatalization
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Coda (trans syllabic), onset
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*/lyɹl/ → /ʎyɹl/
|
—
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| Fricatives and plosives (velar, /k/, /g/, /x/), rhotics (/ɹ/)
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Labialization
|
Onset
|
*[kyŋg] → [kʷyŋg]
|
—
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| /u/
|
Consonants (labializing, voiced, /g/, /l/, /ɹ/)
|
Labialization
|
Onset
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*[gʷun] → [gʷun]
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(/ɫ/) inapplicable in onsent
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| /u/ (before)
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Approximants and rhotics (/l/, (/ɫ/), /ɹ/)
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Coda (trans syllabic), onset
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*[fjuɹ.la] → [fjuɹʷ.la]
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—
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| /j/
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Rhotics (/ɹ/)
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Deletion
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Onset
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*/ɹjut/ → /jut/
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apply vowel sequence resolution
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| Consonants (palatalizing, /t/, /d/, /s/, /z/, /n/, /k/, /g/, /x/, /l/, /w/, /h/)
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Palatalization
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Coda (trans syllabic), onset
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*/ðɑd.jo/→ /ðɑd͡ʒ.jo/
|
—
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| /ɹ/
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Fricatives (post-palatal, /ç/, /x/, /h/, (/ɦ/)), approximants (/l/, /w/), nasals (/n/)
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Deletion
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Onset
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*/çɹip/ → /ɹip/
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apply vowel sequence resolution
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| Fricatives and plosives (alveolar, /t/, /d/, /s/, /z/)
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Post-alveolarization
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Coda (trans syllabic), onset
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*/zɹãn/ → /ʒɹãn/
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—
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| /w/
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Approximants and rhotics (/l/, /ɹ/)
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Deletion
|
Onset
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*/ɹwɪd/ → /wɪd/
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before phonemic /w/
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| Fricatives and plosives (velar, /k/, /g/, /x/)
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Labialization
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Onset
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*[gwis] → [gʷwis]
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—
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- ^ C The chart only references sounds that can undergo a mutation, as shown in the above tables, and does not explicitly exclude all non-mutating sounds.
Intervocalic
Intervocalic phonotactics
| Rule
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Outcome
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Notes
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| /ç/ resolution
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*/ç/ → /j/
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—
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| Fricative (glottal) deletion
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*/h/ → ∅, *(/ɦ/) → ∅
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apply vowel sequence resolution
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| Fricative (velar) fortition
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*/x/ → /k/
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—
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| Fricative and affricate voicing
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e.g. */f/ → /v/, */θ/ → /ð/, (/t͡ʃ/) → (/d͡ʒ/)
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no intervocalic /x/, /ç/, /h/, (/ɦ/), apply vowel sequence resolution, secondary to other intervocalic rules
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| Germinate simplification
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e.g. */p.p/ → /p/, /s.s/ → /s/, /n.n/ → /n/
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—
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| /w/ stabilization
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e.g. /t.ʍ/, /s.ʍ/, */g.ʍ/ → /g.w/, */ð.ʍ/ → /ð.w/
|
—
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| /ɫ/ stabilization
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e.g. /(ɫ).C/ → /l.C/, /(ɫ).V/ → /l.V/
|
—
|
Onset clusters
C₁- syllable onsets
| Pattern
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Allowed
|
Notes
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| Stops
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/p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/, /g/
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—
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| Fricatives (pre-palatal)
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/f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /θ/, /ð/, /ʃ/, (/ʒ/), /x/
|
—
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| Fricatives (palatal-glottal)
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e.g. */çu/ → /çju/, *[ho] → [ɦ̹o], see note
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/çu/ subject to yod insertion, other syllable-onset /ç/, /h/, (/ɦ/) resolved as /h/ via H-allophone series
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| Nasals
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/m/ and /n/
|
—
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| Approximants
|
/ɹ/, /l/, /w/, /j/
|
—
|
| /w/ + /i/ or /ɪ/
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*/w/ → (/ʍ/)
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devoices, subservient to /w/ rules in other clusters
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C₁C₂- and C₁C₂C₃- syllable onsets
| Pattern
|
Allowed
|
Notes
|
| Stop + approximant
|
/pl/, /pɹ/, /bl/, /bɹ/, /tɹ/, /dɹ/, /kl/, /kɹ/, /gl/, /gɹ/, /tw/, /dw/, /kw/, /gw/
|
no /tl/, /dl/, /pw/, /bw/
|
| Fricative + liquid
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/fl/, /vl/
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labials only
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| /s/ or /ʃ/ + stops (voiceless)
|
/sp/, /st/, /sk/, /ʃt/
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no /ʃp/ or /ʃk/
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| /s/ + nasals
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/sn/, /sm/
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—
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| /s/ + approximants
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/sw/, /sl/
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no /sj/ or /sɹ/, /sw/ not devoiced
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| /s/ + stops (voiceless) + liquids
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/spl/, /spɹ/, /stɹ/, /skɹ/
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no /stl/ or /skl/
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| /ʃ/ + rhotics
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/ʃɹ/
|
—
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Coda clusters
-C₁ syllable codas
| Pattern
|
Allowed
|
Notes
|
| Stops
|
/p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/, /g/
|
—
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| Fricatives
|
/f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /x/, /θ/, /ð/, /ʃ/, (/ʒ/)
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no /ç/, /h/ or (/ɦ/) word-final, applies in all other rules
|
| Nasals
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/m/ and /n/
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/m/ and /n/ nasalize vowel (e.g. */en/ → /ɛ̃n/)
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| Liquids
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/ɹ/ and */l/ → (/ɫ/)
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/l/ velarizes to (/ɫ/)
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| Approximants
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*/w/ → /u/
|
/w/ voices to /u/, no /j/
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-C₁C₂C₃ syllable codas
| Pattern
|
Allowed
|
Notes
|
| Nasal + stop + /s/ or /z/
|
e.g. /mps/, */nks/ → /(ŋ)ks/, */nds/ → /ndz/, */ngs/ → /(ŋ)gz/
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with /m/ and /n/ + stop restrictions, /n/ substitutes, assimilation in */(ŋ)gz/, /s/-/z/ voicing in -C₁C₂ codas
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| Nasal + stop + /t/
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/mpt/, */nkt/ → /ŋkt/
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voiceless only, /n/ substitutes
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| Liquid + stop + /s/ or /z/
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e.g. /lps/, */lbs/ → /lbz/, /ɹks/, */ɹds/ → /ɹdz/
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with liquids + stop restrictions, /s/-/z/ voicing in -C₁C₂ codas
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| Liquid + stop + /t/
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/lpt/, /ɹpt/, /lkt/, /ɹkt/
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voiceless only
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| Stop + stop (alveolar) + /s/ or /z/
|
/pts/, /kts/, */bdz/ → /bz/, */gdz/ → /gz/
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voiced assimilate, /s/-/z/ voicing in -C₁C₂ codas
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| Liquid + /f/ or /v/ + /s/ or /z/
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/lvz/, /ɹvz/, */lfs/ → /lvz/, */ɹfs/ → /ɹvz/
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fricative and /s/ voices, labial only, with liquid + fricative restrictions
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| Fricative + /f/ or /v/ + /s/ or /z/
|
/fts/, */vds/ → /vz/
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voiced assimilate, /s/-/z/ voicing in -C₁C₂ codas
|
| Liquid + nasal + /s/ or /z/
|
/lmz/, */lms/ → /lmz/
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/s/-/z/ voicing in -C₁C₂ codas
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| Rhotic + /l/ + /s/ or /z/
|
/ɹlz/, */ɹls/ → /ɹlz/
|
/s/-/z/ voicing in -C₁C₂ codas
|
-C₁C₂ syllable codas
| Pattern
|
Allowed
|
Notes
|
| Consonants (voiced) + /s/ or /z/
|
e.g. */gs/ → /gz/, */ds/ → /dz/, */ls/ → /lz/, */ws/ → /wz/
|
/s/ voices before voiced consonants, /z/ devoices before voiceless, applies ahead of all other rules, no /js/ or /(ɦ)s/, all others
|
| Consonants (voiceless) + /s/ or /z/
|
e.g. /ts/, /fs/, /xs/, /ks/, /θs/
|
no /hs/ or /çs/, all others
|
| Fricative + stop (alveolar)
|
/ft/, /vd/
|
no /fd/, /vt/
|
| Stop + stop (alveolar)
|
/pt/, /kt/, /bd/, /gd/
|
no /pd/, /kd/, /bt/, /gt/
|
| /s/ + stops
|
/sp/, /st/, /sk/, */sb/ → /sp/, */sd/ → /st/, */sg/ → /sk/
|
devoices
|
| Nasal + fricative (coronal)
|
*/ns/ → /nz/, */ms/ → /mz/, */nʃ/ → /n(t͡ʃ)/, */n(ʒ)/ → /n(d͡ʒ)/
|
voices or affricates, no /mʃ/ or /m(ʒ)/
|
| Nasal + fricative (dental)
|
/nθ/ or /nð/
|
devoices, no /mθ/ or /m
|
| /n/ + stops
|
/nt/, /nd/, */nx/ → /(ŋ)x/, */nk/ → /(ŋ)k/, */ng/ → /(ŋ)g/
|
/n/ substitutes before /k/, /x/, /g/, no labials
|
| /m/ + stops
|
/mp/ and /mb/
|
labials only
|
| /l/ + stops
|
/lb/, /lp/, /lt/, /ld/, /lk/
|
no /lg/
|
| /l/ + fricatives
|
/lf/, /lv/, /lθ/, /lð/, */ls/ → /lz/, /lz/, /lʃ/, /l(ʒ)/, /lx/
|
no /lç/ or /lh/, voicing /z/
|
| /l/ + nasals
|
/lm/, /ln/
|
/lm/ and /ln/ nasalize vowel (e.g. */alm/ → /ãlm/),
|
| Rhotic + consonants
|
e.g. /ɹl/, /ɹv/, /ɹm/, /ɹð/, /ɹt/, */ɹs/ → /ɹz/
|
no /ɹw/, /ɹç/, /ɹj/, all others
|
Vowels
Vowel phonotactics
| Rule
|
Outcome
|
Notes
|
| Stressed syllables
|
Monophthongs (/i/, /ɪ/, /y/, /u/, /e̞/, /o/, /a/, /ɑ/) and diphthongs (/ui̯/, /ei̯/, /ɔi̯/, /ou̯/, /ai̯/, /au̯/)
|
—
|
| Unstressed closed syllables laxing
|
*/i/ → /ɪ/, */y/ → (/ʏ/)
|
—
|
| Unstressed reduction to /ə/
|
e.g. */a/ → (/ə/), */e̞/ → (/ə/), */o/ → (/ə/)
|
occurs within an era, separate from deletion
|
| /ə/ end open syllable deletion
|
e.g. */VC.(ə)/ → /VC/
|
occurs within an era, separate from reduction
|
| /ə/ medial open syllable deletion
|
e.g. */C(ə).CV/ → /CCV/
|
if remaining cluster is lawful, occurs within an era, separate from reduction
|
| /ə/ dropping in diphthongs
|
e.g. */(ə)u/ → /u/, */(ə)i/ → /i/, */(ə)o/ → /o/
|
—
|
| Nasalizing before nasal coda
|
e.g. */on/ → /(ɔ̃)n/, */e̞m/ → /(ɛ̃)m/, */ɑlm/ → /(ã)lm/
|
triggered by /n/, /m/, /lm/ codas
|
| Vowel (not close front) + /j/ or /i/
|
/ai̯/, /ei̯/, /ɔi̯/, /ui̯/
|
diphthongize
|
| Vowel (mid front or back and open back) + /u/ or /w/
|
/au̯/, /ɛu̯/, /ou̯/
|
diphthongize
|
Vowel sequence resolution
| V₁
|
V₂
|
Notes
|
| /i/
|
/ɪ/
|
/y/
|
/ʏ/
|
/u/
|
/e̞/
|
/o/
|
/a/
|
/ɑ/
|
/ə/
|
| /i/
|
/i/
|
/j/ + V
|
/i/
|
/j/ + V
|
/i/
|
implicates palatalization
|
| /ɪ/
|
/i/
|
/ɪ/
|
/y/
|
/ɪ/
|
/u/
|
/e̞/
|
/o/
|
/a/
|
/ɑ/
|
/ɪ/
|
stable vowel priority
|
| /y/
|
/y/
|
/w/ + V
|
/y/
|
implicates labialization
|
| /ʏ/
|
/i/
|
/ɪ/
|
/y/
|
/ʏ/
|
/u/
|
/e̞/
|
/o/
|
/a/
|
/ɑ/
|
/ʏ/
|
stable vowel priority
|
| /u/
|
/ui̯/
|
/u/
|
/ui̯/
|
/u/
|
/w/ + V
|
/u/
|
implicates labialization
|
| /e̞/
|
/ei̯/
|
/e̞/
|
/ɛu̯/
|
/e̞/
|
/o/
|
/a/
|
/ɑ/
|
/e̞/
|
/ɑ/ priority, more sonorant
|
| /o/
|
/ɔi̯/
|
/o/
|
/ou̯/
|
/o/
|
/w/ + V
|
/o/
|
implicates labialization
|
| /a/
|
/ai̯/
|
/a/
|
/au̯/
|
/a/
|
/au̯/
|
/a/
|
/ɑ/
|
/a/
|
/ɑ/ priority, more sonorant
|
| /ɑ/
|
/ai̯/
|
/ɑ/
|
/ɑ/
|
/ɑ/
|
/ɑ/
|
/ɑ/ priority, more sonorant
|
| /ə/
|
V
|
/ə/
|
/ə/ too weak, deletion
|
Orthography
| Upper case
|
A
|
B
|
Ƀ
|
C
|
D
|
E
|
F
|
G
|
H
|
I
|
J
|
K
|
L
|
M
|
N
|
O
|
P
|
R
|
S
|
T
|
U
|
Ü
|
W
|
IJ
|
Z
|
Å
|
Þ
|
Ð
|
Æ[B]
|
| Lower case
|
a
|
b
|
ƀ
|
c
|
d
|
e
|
f
|
g
|
h
|
i
|
j
|
k
|
l
|
m
|
n
|
o
|
p
|
r
|
s
|
t
|
u
|
ü
|
w
|
ij
|
z
|
å
|
þ
|
ð
|
æ
|
| Name
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Old name
|
aas
|
berk
|
aƀa
|
che
|
dåg
|
en
|
fai
|
geef
|
hagel
|
ijs
|
jod
|
ka
|
låg
|
man
|
nood
|
oos
|
peerð
|
reed
|
sigil
|
tir
|
ur
|
üe
|
wüün
|
ijg
|
gaisa
|
åå
|
þorn
|
eð
|
æsce
|
- ^ B Archaic letter for spelling of words, mostly proper nouns, retaining /ɛ/.
Consonants
| Spelling
|
Notes
|
| b
|
/b/
|
| ƀ
|
/v/
|
| ch
|
/x/
|
| d
|
/d/
|
| dsch
|
(/d͡ʒ/) (word-final)
|
| dj
|
(/d͡ʒ/)
|
| dsj
|
(/d͡ʒ/)
|
| f
|
/f/
|
| g
|
/g/
|
| gj
|
(/ɟ͡ʝ/) (word-initial)
|
| gge
|
(/ɟ͡ʝ/)
|
| h
|
/h/, (/ɦ/)
|
| hj
|
/ç/, /çj/
|
| hl
|
(/ɫ/)
|
| hw
|
/ʍ/
|
| j
|
/j/
|
| k
|
/k/
|
| kj
|
(/c͡ç/) (word-initial)
|
| kke
|
(/c͡ç/)
|
| l
|
/l/
|
| lj
|
(/ʎ/)
|
| m
|
/m/
|
| n
|
/n/
|
| ng
|
(/ŋ/)
|
| nj
|
(/ɲ/)
|
| p
|
/p/
|
| r
|
/ɹ/
|
| s
|
/s/
|
| sc
|
/ʃ/ (phonemic, non-palatalized)
|
| sch
|
/ʃ/ (word-final)
|
| sj
|
/ʃ/
|
| t
|
/t/
|
| tsch
|
(/t͡ʃ/) (word-final)
|
| tj
|
(/t͡ʃ/)
|
| tsj
|
(/t͡ʃ/)
|
| w
|
/w/
|
| wj
|
(/ɥ/)
|
| wr
|
[ɹʷ]
|
| z
|
/z/
|
| zj
|
(/ʒ/)
|
| zsch
|
(/ʒ/) (word-final)
|
| þ
|
/θ/
|
| ð
|
/ð/
|
Vowels and diphthongs
| Spelling
|
Notes
|
| a
|
/a/, (/ə/) (for /ə/ reduced from /a/)
|
| â
|
(/ã/)
|
| ai
|
/ai̯/
|
| au
|
/au̯/
|
| e
|
/e̞/, (/ə/) (for /ə/ reduced from /e̞/)
|
| ê
|
(/ɛ̃/)
|
| ei
|
/ei̯/
|
| eu
|
/ɛu̯/
|
| i
|
/ɪ/
|
| ij
|
/i/
|
| o
|
/o/, (/ə/) (for /ə/ reduced from /o/)
|
| ô
|
(/ɔ̃/)
|
| oi
|
/ɔi̯/
|
| ou
|
/ou̯/
|
| u
|
/u/
|
| ui
|
/ui̯/
|
| ü
|
/y/, (/ʏ/)
|
| å
|
/ɑ/
|
Diacritics and notation
| Diacritic
|
Example
|
Notes
|
| ◌̂ (circumflex)
|
⟨ô⟩
|
marks nasalized vowel (/o/ → /ɔ̃/)
|
| ◌̊ (ring)
|
⟨å⟩
|
non-productive, used for /ɑ/ (/a/ → /ɑ/)
|
| ◌̈ (diaeresis)
|
⟨ü⟩
|
non-productive, used for /y/ (/u/ → /y/)
|
| ' (apostrophe)
|
⟨'üs⟩
|
contraction or laxing, if against phonotactics (weak vowel stressed, omission of /j/, nasal vowel to /ən/), especially pronouns
|
Archaic uses
| Spelling
|
Notes
|
Timeline
|
| cj
|
(/ʝ/)
|
Early Modern era
|
| ck
|
/ɣ/
|
Old to Early Modern era
|
| s
|
/s/ (for phoneme)
|
Old era
|
| aa
|
/aː/
|
Old era
|
| e
|
/e/ (for phoneme)
|
Old to Early Modern era
|
| æ
|
/ɛ/
|
Early Modern era
|
| ee
|
/eː/
|
Old era
|
| i
|
/i/
|
Old era
|
| ij
|
/iː/ (for phoneme)
|
Old era
|
| oi
|
/oi̯/ (for phoneme)
|
Early Modern era
|
| oo
|
/oː/
|
Old era
|
| uu
|
/uː/
|
Old era
|
| üü
|
/yː/
|
Old era
|
| åå
|
/ɑː/
|
Old era
|
Development
Phonetic movement
Consonants
| Old LM
|
Condition →
|
Old MK
|
Condition →
|
Early Mod.
|
Condition →
|
Modern
|
Notes
|
| /b/
|
Stable
|
/b/
|
Stable
|
/b/
|
Stable
|
/b/
|
|
| /d/
|
Stable
|
/d/
|
Not intervocalic and not palatalizing
|
/d/
|
Stable
|
/d/
|
|
| Not intervocalic and palatalizing
|
(/d͡ʑ/)
|
Stabilization
|
(/d͡ʒ/)
|
Palatalization, affrication → fortition
|
| Intervocalic
|
/ð/
|
Stable
|
/ð/
|
Intervocalic lenition
|
| /f/
|
Not voiced contexts
|
/f/
|
Stable
|
/f/
|
Stable
|
/f/
|
|
| Voiced contexts
|
(/v/)
|
Stable
|
(/v/)
|
Stable
|
/v/
|
Voicing → phonemicizing
|
| /g/
|
Not intervocalic and not after long V and not after /ɹ/
|
/g/
|
Not palalatizing
|
/g/
|
Stable
|
/g/
|
Merger
|
| Palalatizing
|
(/g͡ʝ/)
|
Stabilization
|
(/ɟ͡ʝ/)
|
Palatalization, affrication → fortition
|
| Intervocalic or after long V or after /ɹ/
|
(/ɣ/)
|
Not palalatizing
|
/ɣ/
|
Destabliziation
|
/g/
|
Intervocalic, postvocalic lenition → phonemicizing → merger
|
| Palalatizing
|
(/ʝ/)
|
Destabliziation
|
(/ɟ͡ʝ/)
|
Palatalization → affrication, merger
|
| /h/
|
Stable
|
/h/
|
Unspecific sound and not palatalizing
|
/h/
|
Stable
|
/h/
|
H-allophonic realization system complex
|
| H-realization before /i/, (/ɪ/), /j/ or palatalizing
|
/ç/
|
Stable
|
/ç/
|
| H-realization before /ɑ/ or /o/
|
(/ɦ/)
|
Stable
|
(/ɦ/)
|
| H-realiziation before /u/
|
(/ʁ/)
|
Stable
|
(/ʁ/)
|
| /j/
|
Stable
|
/j/
|
Stable
|
/j/
|
Stable
|
/j/
|
|
| /k/
|
Not intervocalic and not after long V
|
/k/
|
Not palatalizing
|
/k/
|
Stable
|
/k/
|
|
| Palatalizing
|
(/k͡ç/)
|
Stabilization
|
(/c͡ç/)
|
Palatalization, affrication → fortition
|
| Intervocalic or after long V
|
/x/
|
Not palatalizing
|
/x/
|
Intervocalic
|
/k/
|
Intervocalic, postvocalic lenition → fortition
|
| /x/
|
Stable
|
Not intervocalic
|
/x/
|
|
| Palatalizing
|
/ç/
|
Stable
|
/ç/
|
Palatalization
|
| /l/
|
Stable
|
/l/
|
Not palatalizing and not word-final
|
/l/
|
Stable
|
/l/
|
|
| Palatalizing and not word-final
|
/lʲ/
|
Full palatalizating
|
(/ʎ/)
|
Palatalization, articulation → sound change
|
| Transitional palatalizing
|
/lʲ/
|
Palatalization
|
| Word-final
|
(/ɫ/)
|
Stable
|
(/ɫ/)
|
Velarization
|
| /m/
|
Stable
|
/m/
|
Stable
|
/m/
|
Stable
|
/m/
|
|
| /n/
|
Unspecific C
|
/n/
|
Not palalatizing
|
/n/
|
Stable
|
/n/
|
|
| Palalatizing
|
(/ɲ/)
|
Stable
|
(/ɲ/)
|
Palatalization
|
| Before /k/, /g/, /x/, (/ɣ/)
|
(/ŋ/)
|
Stable
|
(/ŋ/)
|
Stable
|
(/ŋ/)
|
Velarization
|
| /p/
|
Stable
|
/p/
|
Stable
|
/p/
|
Stable
|
/p/
|
|
| /ɹ/
|
Stable
|
/ɹ/
|
Stable
|
/ɹ/
|
Stable
|
/ɹ/
|
|
| /s/
|
Stable
|
/s/
|
Not palalatizing
|
/s/
|
Stable
|
/s/
|
|
| Palalatizing
|
(/ʃ/)
|
Stable
|
/ʃ/
|
Palatalization → phonemicizing
|
| /z/
|
Stable
|
/z/
|
Not palalatizing
|
/z/
|
Stable
|
/z/
|
|
| Palalatizing
|
(/ʒ/)
|
Stable
|
(/ʒ/)
|
Palatalization
|
| /t/
|
Stable
|
/t/
|
Not palalatizing
|
/t/
|
Stable
|
/t/
|
|
| Palalatizing
|
(/t͡ɕ/)
|
Stabilization
|
(/t͡ʃ/)
|
Palatalization, affrication → fortition
|
| /w/
|
Stable
|
/w/
|
Unspecific sound and not palatalizing
|
/w/
|
Stable
|
/w/
|
|
| Before /i/ or (/ɪ/) and not palatalizing
|
(/ʍ/)
|
Stable
|
(/ʍ/)
|
Devoicing
|
| Palalatizing
|
/wʲ/
|
Full palatalizating
|
(/ɥ/)
|
Palatalization, articulation → sound change
|
| Transitional palatalizing
|
/wʲ/
|
Palatalization
|
| /ð/
|
Not devoicing contexts
|
/ð/
|
Stable
|
/ð/
|
Stable
|
/ð/
|
|
| Devoicing contexts
|
(/θ/) → /θ/
|
Stable
|
/θ/
|
Stable
|
/θ/
|
Devoicing → phonemicizing
|
[Fix /f/ versus /v/ old era]
Monophthongs and diphthongs[D]
| Old MK
|
Condition →
|
Early Mod.
|
Condition →
|
Modern
|
Notes
|
| /a/
|
Stressed and unspecific C
|
/a/
|
Stable
|
/a/
|
|
| Unstressed and unspecific C
|
(/ə/)
|
Closed syllable
|
(/ə/)
|
Reduction
|
| Open syllable
|
∅
|
Reduction → deletion
|
| Before /n/, /m/, /lm/
|
(/ã/)
|
Stable
|
(/ã/)
|
Nasalization
|
| Before /j/
|
/ai̯/
|
Stable
|
/ai̯/
|
Glide reanalysis
|
| Before /w/
|
/au̯/
|
Stable
|
/au̯/
|
Glide reanalysis
|
| /aː/
|
Not before /w/
|
/ai̯/
|
Stable
|
/ai̯/
|
Diphthongization
|
| Before /w/
|
/au̯/
|
Stable
|
/au̯/
|
Glide reanalysis
|
| /e/
|
Stressed and open syllable and unspecific C
|
/e/
|
Unspecific C
|
/e̞/
|
Merger
|
| Before /n/, /m/, /lm/
|
(/ɛ̃/)
|
Nasalization
|
| Stressed and closed syllable and unspecific C
|
/ɛ/
|
Unspecific C
|
/e̞/
|
Merger
|
| Before /n/, /m/, /lm/
|
(/ɛ̃/)
|
Nasalization
|
| Unstressed and unspecific C
|
(/ə/)
|
Closed syllable
|
(/ə/)
|
Reduction
|
| Open syllable
|
∅
|
Reduction → deletion
|
| Before /j/
|
/ei̯/
|
Stable
|
/ei̯/
|
Glide reanalysis
|
| Before /w/
|
(/ɛu̯/)
|
Stable
|
/ɛu̯/
|
Glide reanalysis → phonemicizing
|
| /eː/
|
Not before /w/
|
/ei̯/
|
Stable
|
/ei̯/
|
Diphthongization
|
| Before /w/
|
(/ɛu̯/)
|
Stable
|
/ɛu̯/
|
Glide reanalysis → phonemicizing
|
| /i/
|
Stressed or open syllable
|
/i/
|
Stable
|
/i/
|
|
| Unstressed and closed syllable
|
(/ɪ/)
|
Stable
|
/ɪ/
|
Laxing → phonemicizing
|
| /iː/
|
Stable
|
/i/
|
Stable
|
/i/
|
Shortening
|
| /o/
|
Stressed and unspecific C
|
/o/
|
Stable
|
/o/
|
|
| Unstressed and unspecific C
|
(/ə/)
|
Closed syllable
|
(/ə/)
|
Reduction
|
| Open syllable
|
∅
|
Reduction → deletion
|
| Before /n/, /m/, /lm/
|
(/ɔ̃/)
|
Stable
|
(/ɔ̃/)
|
Nasalization
|
| Before /j/
|
/oi̯/ → /ɔi̯/
|
Stable
|
/ɔi̯/
|
Glide reanalysis → vowel lowering
|
| Before /w/
|
/ou̯/
|
Stable
|
/ou̯/
|
Glide reanalysis
|
| /oː/
|
Not before /w/
|
/oi̯/ → /ɔi̯/
|
Stable
|
/ɔi̯/
|
Diphthongization → vowel lowering
|
| Before /w/
|
/ou̯/
|
Stable
|
/ou̯/
|
Glide reanalysis
|
| /u/
|
Not before /j/
|
/u/
|
Stable
|
/u/
|
|
| Before /j/
|
/ui̯/
|
Stable
|
/ui̯/
|
Glide reanalysis
|
| /uː/
|
Not after /j/
|
/ui̯/
|
Stable
|
/ui̯/
|
Diphthongization
|
| After /j/
|
/u/
|
Stable
|
/u/
|
Blocked pressure
|
| /y/
|
Stressed or open syllable
|
/y/
|
Stable
|
/y/
|
|
| Unstressed and closed syllable
|
(/ʏ/)
|
Stable
|
(/ʏ/)
|
Laxing
|
| /yː/
|
Stable
|
/y/
|
Stable
|
/y/
|
Shortening
|
| /ɑ/
|
Unspecific C
|
/ɑ/
|
Stable
|
/ɑ/
|
|
| Before /n/, /m/, /lm/
|
(/ã/)
|
Stable
|
(/ã/)
|
Nasalization
|
| Before /j/
|
/ai̯/
|
Stable
|
/ai̯/
|
Glide reanalysis
|
| Before /w/
|
/au̯/
|
Stable
|
/au̯/
|
Glide reanalysis
|
| /ɑː/
|
Not before /w/
|
/ai̯/
|
Stable
|
/ai̯/
|
Diphthongization
|
| Before /w/
|
/au̯/
|
Stable
|
/au̯/
|
Glide reanalysis
|
- ^ D Most vowel transitions between Old Low Maas and Old Meckelnish include resolving weak vowel sequences and yod-insertion.
Formal inventories
Old Meckelnish
Consonants
|
|
Labial
|
Dental
|
Alveolar
|
Palatal
|
Velar
|
Glottal
|
| Nasal
|
m
|
|
n
|
|
(ŋ)
|
|
| Plosive
|
p
|
b
|
|
t
|
d
|
|
k
|
g
|
|
| Fricative
|
f
|
(v)
|
θ
|
ð
|
s
|
z
|
|
x
|
(ɣ)
|
h
|
| Approximant
|
|
|
l
|
j
|
w
|
|
| Rhotic
|
|
|
ɹ
|
|
|
|
Vowels
|
|
Front
|
Central
|
Back
|
| unrounded
|
rounded
|
| short
|
long
|
short
|
long
|
short
|
long
|
| Close
|
i
|
iː
|
y
|
yː
|
|
u
|
uː
|
| Mid
|
e
|
eː
|
|
|
ə
|
o
|
oː
|
| Open
|
a
|
aː
|
|
|
|
ɑ
|
ɑː
|
Early Modern
Consonants (simplified)
|
|
Labial
|
Dental
|
Alveolar
|
Post-
alveolar
|
Palatal
|
Velar
|
Glottal
|
| Nasal
|
m
|
|
n
|
|
|
|
|
| Plosive
|
p
|
b
|
|
t
|
d
|
|
|
k
|
g
|
|
| Fricative
|
f
|
(v)
|
θ
|
ð
|
s
|
z
|
(ʃ)
|
(ʒ)
|
ç
|
x
|
ɣ
|
h
|
(ɦ)
|
| Approximant
|
|
|
l
|
|
j
|
w
|
|
| Rhotic
|
|
|
ɹ
|
|
|
|
|
Palatalization and postalveolarization
|
|
Post-alveolar
|
Palatal
|
| Nasal
|
|
n → (ɲ)
|
|
| Affricative
|
t → (t͡ɕ)
|
d → (d͡ʑ)
|
k → (k͡ç)
|
g → (g͡ʝ)
|
| Fricative
|
s → (ʃ)
|
(z) → (ʒ)
|
x → ç
|
ɣ → (ʝ)
|
h → ç
|
| Approx.
|
plain
|
|
l → (ʎ) / lʲ
|
|
| labial
|
w → (ɥ) / wʲ
|
Monophthongs
|
|
Front
|
Central
|
Back
|
| unrounded
|
rounded
|
| oral
|
nasal
|
oral
|
nasal
|
| Close
|
i
|
|
y
|
|
u
|
|
| Near-close
|
(ɪ)
|
|
(ʏ)
|
|
|
|
| Close-mid
|
e
|
|
|
(ə)
|
o
|
|
| Open-mid
|
ɛ
|
(ɛ̃)
|
|
|
(ɔ̃)
|
| Open
|
a
|
(ã)
|
|
|
ɑ
|
|
Diphthongs
|
|
Fronting
|
Backing
|
| Close
|
ui̯
|
|
| Close-mid
|
ei̯
|
ou̯
|
| Open-mid
|
oi̯ / ɔi̯
|
(ɛu̯)
|
| Open
|
ai̯
|
au̯
|
Grammar
Pronouns
Personal pronouns
|
|
Subject
|
Object
|
Possessive dep.
|
Poss. indep.
|
Reflexive
|
| masc.
|
fem./plur.
|
neut.
|
| full
|
enc.
|
full
|
enc.
|
full[]
|
enc.[]
|
full
|
enc.
|
full[]
|
enc.
|
full
|
enc.
|
| sing.
|
1st
|
ijch
|
'ch
|
mijch
|
m'ch
|
mijne (mijnên)
|
m'ne (m'n)
|
mijn
|
m'n
|
mij (mijn)
|
m'n
|
[de] mijn
|
mijch
|
m'ch
|
| /ix/
|
/əx/
|
/mix/
|
/məx/
|
/'min.ə/ (/'min.ɛ̃n/)
|
/'mən.ə/ (/mən/)
|
/min/
|
/mən/
|
/mi/ (/min/)
|
/mən/
|
/min/
|
/mix/
|
/məx/
|
| 2nd
|
fam.
|
dijch
|
de
|
dijch
|
d'ch
|
dijne (dijnên)
|
d'ne (d'n)
|
dijn
|
d'n
|
dij (dijn)
|
d'n
|
[de] dijn
|
dijch
|
d'ch
|
| /dix/
|
/də/
|
/dix/
|
/dəx/
|
/'din.ə/ (/'din.ɛ̃n/)
|
/'dən.ə/ (/dən/)
|
/din/
|
/dən/
|
/di/ (/din/)
|
/dən/
|
/din/
|
/dix/
|
/dəx/
|
| polite
|
geir
|
g'r
|
üch
|
üre (üren)
|
'ür
|
[de] ür
|
üch
|
| /gei̯ɹ/
|
/gəɹ/
|
/jych/
|
/'jʏɹ.ə/ (/'jʏɹ.ɛ̃n/)
|
/ʏɹ/
|
/jyɹ/
|
/jyx/
|
| 3rd
|
masc.
|
heir
|
'r
|
hjüm
|
'm
|
zijne (zijnên)
|
z'ne (z'n)
|
zijn
|
z'n
|
zijn
|
z'n
|
[de] zijn
|
zijch
|
z'ch
|
| /hei̯ɹ/
|
/əɹ/
|
/hjym/
|
/əm/
|
| neut.
|
het
|
't
|
het
|
't
|
| /het/
|
/et/
|
/het/
|
/et/
|
/'zin.ə/ (/'zin.ɛ̃n/)
|
/'zən.ə/ (/zən/)
|
/zin/
|
/zən/
|
/zin/
|
/zən/
|
/zin/
|
| fem.
|
zij
|
ze
|
hjür
|
'r
|
hjüre (hjürên)
|
're ('rn)
|
hjür
|
'r
|
hjür
|
'r
|
[de] hjür
|
| /zi/
|
/zə/
|
/hjyɹ/
|
/həɹ/
|
/'hjyɹ.ə/ (/'hjyɹ.ɛ̃n/)
|
/'həɹ.ə/ (/həɹn/)
|
/hjyɹ/
|
/həɹ/
|
/hjyɹ/
|
/həɹ/
|
/hjyɹ/
|
/zix/
|
/zəx/
|
| indef.
|
me
|
me
|
eige[] (eigên)
|
[de] eige
|
zalef
|
| /me/
|
/mə/
|
/'ei̯g.ə/ (/'ei̯g.ɛ̃n/)
|
/'ei̯g.ə/
|
/'zal.əf/
|
| plur.
|
1st
|
veir
|
v'r
|
'üs
|
üze (üzên)
|
üs
|
[de] üs
|
'üs
|
| /vei̯ɹ/
|
/vəɹ/
|
/ʏs/
|
/'jyz.ə/ (/'jyz.ɛ̃n/)
|
/jys/
|
/jys/
|
/ʏs/
|
| 2nd
|
geir
|
g'r
|
üch
|
üre (ürên)
|
ür
|
[de] ür
|
üch
|
| /gei̯ɹ/
|
/gəɹ/
|
/jyx/
|
/'jyɹ.ə/ (/'jʏɹ.ɛ̃n/)
|
/jyɹ/
|
/jyɹ/
|
/jyx/
|
| 3rd
|
zij
|
ze
|
'ün
|
ze
|
üne (ünên)
|
'ün
|
[de] 'ünt
|
zijch
|
| /zi/
|
/zə/
|
/ʏn/
|
/zə/
|
/'jʏn.ə/ (/'jʏn.ɛ̃n/)
|
/ʏn/
|
/ʏnt/
|
/zix/
|
If the following word begins with either /h/ or a vowel.
The indefinite pronoun "one," with its possessive "eige" meaning variously "one's" or "one's own." Also used as an intensifier of ownership (e.g. "zijn eige" or "his own").
Determiners (limited)[]
|
|
Articles
|
Demonstratives
|
Quantifiers
|
Interrogative
|
| definite
|
indefinite
|
negative
|
universal
|
| full[]
|
enc.
|
full[]
|
enc.[]
|
proximall[]
|
distal[]
|
| sing.
|
masc.
|
de (dên)
|
d'n
|
eine
|
'ne ('n)
|
deize (deizên)
|
dei (dein)
|
|
|
|
| /de/ (/dɛ̃n/)
|
/dən/
|
/'ei̯n.ə/
|
/'ən.ə/ (/ən/)
|
/'dei̯z.ə/ (/'dei̯z.ɛ̃n/)
|
/dei̯/ (/dei̯n/)
|
|
|
|
| neut.
|
het
|
't
|
e (ein)
|
'n
|
deis
|
dij (dijn)
|
|
|
|
| /het/
|
/et/
|
/e/ (/ei̯n/)
|
/ən/
|
/dei̯s/
|
/di/ (/din/)
|
|
|
|
| fem.
|
de (dên)
|
d'n
|
ein
|
'n
|
dit
|
dåt
|
|
|
|
| /de/ (/dɛ̃n/)
|
/dən/
|
/ei̯n/
|
/ən/
|
/dɪt/
|
/dɑt/
|
|
|
|
| plur.
|
de (dên)
|
d'n
|
einech
|
deis
|
dij (dijn)
|
|
|
|
| /de/ (/dɛ̃n/)
|
/dən/
|
/'ei̯n.əx/
|
/dei̯s/
|
/di/ (/din/)
|
|
|
|
If the following word begins with either /h/ or a vowel.
While many determiners are used, these are restricted to those that decline irregularly for number and/or gender.
no, yes, not, etc.
Indefinite pronouns
|
|
Human
|
Object
|
Place
|
| indefinite
|
ijmes
|
eits
|
üreges
|
| /'im.əs/
|
/ei̯ts/
|
/'jyɹ.əg.əs/
|
| negative
|
nijmes
|
niks
|
nüreges
|
| /'nim.əs/
|
/nɪks/
|
/'ɲyɹ.əg.əs/
|
| universal
|
ederein
|
åles
|
üverauhl
|
| /ed.əɹ'ei̯n/
|
/'ɑl.əs/
|
/jʏv.əɹ'au̯ɫ/
|
If the following word begins with either /h/ or a vowel.
dau (d'r)[] /dau̯/ (dəɹ) | hei /hei̯/
Unstressed and unspecific form of "there," often used abstractly and not in the physical sense (i.e. "there are glaciers in the world" versus "I see glaciers [over] there").
Vocabulary
Language comparisons
Singular nominative nouns
Istvanistani
gloss
|
Old Low Maas
|
Old Meckelnish
|
Meckelnish
|
Batavian
|
Madison Isle
Batavian
|
| "child"
|
kindj
|
kindsch
|
kindsch
|
kind
|
bern
|
| "church"
|
kjirkj
|
kjirkke
|
kjirkke
|
kerk
|
tsjerke
|
| "day"
|
daach
|
daach
|
daich
|
dag
|
dei
|
| "father"
|
vaader
|
faaðer
|
faiðer
|
vader
|
heit
|
| "fortification"
|
burch
|
burch
|
buwrch
|
burg
|
boarg
|
| "harbor"
|
haave
|
haave
|
haiv
|
haven
|
haven
|
| "house"
|
huus
|
hjuus
|
hjus
|
huis
|
hûs
|
| "king"
|
kyyning
|
kjüüning
|
kjüning
|
koning
|
kening
|
| "man"
|
man
|
man
|
mân
|
man
|
man
|
| "water"
|
waatar
|
waatar
|
waitar
|
water
|
wetter
|
| "woman"
|
vråu
|
fråu
|
frau
|
vrouw
|
frou
|
United Kingdom of Meckelnburgh
