Jurd language

The Jurd language, originally Ġurd in Proto-Mikrb, is a member of the linguistic group derived from Proto-Mikrb, spoken primarily in the eastern regions of Ausalon, in the great desert. Renowned for its evolution towards analytic structures, Jurd has undergone substantial divergence from its parent language, Proto-Mikrb.
While many of the languages descended from Proto-Mikrb have retained intricate noun derivation systems and complex verb conjugation schemes, Jurd has followed a different trajectory. It has gravitated towards a more isolating typology, with morphemes typically representing a single idea, resulting in relatively straightforward word order and syntax.
Word formation in Jurd largely occurs through the combination of standalone words and particles, rather than through the addition of affixes or morphological alterations. This transformation has led to a substantial reduction in the language's inflectional complexity, which is especially noticeable in the verb system. Verbs in Jurd are generally not inflected for tense or aspect, with these features typically expressed through auxiliary verbs or adverbs.
The evolution of Jurd's phonology has been similarly distinct, with a notable shift occurring from the original Proto-Mikrb phonemic inventory. This includes the shift of the uvular voiced stop /ɢ/ to /g/, and subsequently to /j/ in the initial position. The end result is a unique language that holds a special place within the linguistic landscape of Ausalon.
Despite the significant divergences in its grammatical structures and phonology, Jurd still shares a common vocabulary core with its sibling languages. Thus, speakers of Jurd may find elements of familiarity in the other languages descended from Proto-Mikrb, even as they appreciate the unique features of their own language.

Sound Changes

1. Emphatics /ħ/, /ʕ/ merge with their non-emphatic counterparts: /ħ/ > /h/, /ʕ/ > /ʔ/.
2. Loss of uvular stops /q/, /ɢ/, with /q/ > /k/, /ɢ/ > /g/.
3. Vowel length distinctions are lost, with long vowels shortening: /i:/, /u:/, /a:/ > /i/, /u/, /a/.
4. Labialized stops /kʷ/, /gʷ/ depalatalize to /p/, /b/ respectively.
5. Voiceless alveolar stop /t/ affricatizes to /ts/ before front vowels.
6. Pharyngeal fricative /ħ/ lenites to /h/ in all positions.
7. Voiced stops /b/, /d/, /g/ in initial and final position devoice to /p/, /t/, /k/.
8. Velar stops /k/, /g/ palatalize to /tʃ/, /dʒ/ before front vowels.
9. The glottal stop /ʔ/ is lost word-initially.
10. Gemination is lost, with geminated consonants reducing to a single consonant.
11. Mid vowels /e/ and /o/ are lowered to /ɛ/ and /ɔ/ respectively.
12. Fronting of /u/ > /y/ in the environment of front consonants and vowels.
13. Deletion of short unstressed vowels in word-medial position (i.e., syncope).
14. The vowel /a/ in unstressed syllables reduces to schwa /ə/.
15. Intervocalic voiced stops /b/, /d/, /g/ lenite to their corresponding fricatives /β/, /ð/, /ɣ/.

Root Languages

• Proto-Mikrb language

Spoken by

• Jurd people