Proto-Šabǧūl language
The Proto-Šabǧūl language, a key member of the Proto-ʔināši language family, holds a significant place in the linguistic landscape of Ausalon. The language is believed to have been primarily spoken in the far southwest of Ausalon, a vast and diverse continent characterized by varied geographical features and cultural practices.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of Proto-Šabǧūl is its extensive use of fricatives, a trait not as prominent in its parent language, Proto-ʔināši. This heavy reliance on fricative sounds imbues Proto-Šabǧūl with a distinct phonetic identity, one that both shapes and is shaped by the unique cultural and physical environment of its speakers.
Another major feature of Proto-Šabǧūl is the development of vowel harmony. While vowel harmony does exist to a certain extent in Proto-ʔināši, it is far more systematized and pervasive in Proto-Šabǧūl. This feature creates a linguistic balance and resonance within words, adding another layer to the rich phonetic tapestry of the language.
Proto-Šabǧūl also stands out due to its complex case system, which is believed to be more extensive compared to that of Proto-ʔināši. The case system of Proto-Šabǧūl reflects the nuanced social structures and interactions of its speakers, with different forms denoting variations in social hierarchy, relational dynamics, and situational contexts.
The Proto-Šabǧūl language gave rise to a number of derivative languages, further contributing to the linguistic richness of Ausalon. These include:
- Naħava: Known for its rhythmic cadence and nuanced verb system.
- Ryd: Recognized for its unique pitch-accent system.
- Bet: Distinguished by its elaborate system of honorifics.
- Bebr: Noted for its expressive use of aspect and mood.
- Farg: Characterized by its innovative phonemic inventory.
Sound Changes
The evolution of Proto-Šabǧūl from Proto-ʔināši is characterized by a series of phonetic shifts and transformations. These changes, primarily occurring in the consonant and vowel systems, contributed to the distinct phonetic identity of Proto-Šabǧūl. Of course, here are the fifteen sound changes, formatted with BBCode:- 1. Palatalization of Velar Consonants: /k/ and /g/ become /č/ and /ǧ/ respectively before front vowels /i/ or /e/.
- 2. Vowel Harmony: Vowels within the same word harmonize to share similar features such as frontness/backness or roundness.
- 3. Lenition of Stop Consonants: Voiceless stop consonants /p/, /t/, /k/ become voiced /b/, /d/, /g/ between vowels.
- 4. Development of Fricatives: Fricatives /f/, /s/, /š/ are voiced to /v/, /z/, /ž/ respectively between vowels.
- 5. Nasal Assimilation: The nasal /n/ assimilates to the point of articulation of the following consonant.
- 6. Loss of Glottal Stop: The glottal stop /ʔ/ at the beginning of a word is dropped.
- 7. Rhotacism: The alveolar fricative /z/ becomes /r/ between vowels.
- 8. Final Devoicing: Voiced consonants at the end of words are devoiced.
- 9. Fronting of Back Vowels: The back vowels /a/ and /u/ become /æ/ and /i/ respectively in Proto-Šapīl when followed by a front vowel /i/ or /e/.
- 10. Lenition of Consonant Clusters: Consonant clusters undergo lenition, where the second consonant in the cluster is weakened.
- 11. Diphthongization: Long vowels /ī/, /ū/ became diphthongs /ei/, /ou/ respectively.
- 12. Syncope: Unstressed short vowels in medial syllables were lost, reducing the number of syllables in many words.
- 13. Gemination of Medial Consonants: Medial consonants following short stressed vowels were geminated (doubled).
- 14. Lenition of Voiced Stops to Approximants: Voiced stops /b/, /d/, /g/ lenited to approximants /β/, /ð/, /ɣ/ respectively in intervocalic positions.
- 15. Vowel Raising: Short /e/ and /o/ raised to /i/ and /u/ respectively in stressed syllables.
Root Languages
Successor Languages