Proto-Kuzeyuruk language

Descendants

1. Üsshe: Üsrte features a shift where /o/ in unstressed syllables becomes /u/. Additionally, an extensive metathesis occurs, reordering sounds within words, a change that is not found in other North-Uruk languages. The language also develops a pitch accent system, which is unique among its sister languages.


2. Aqqshog: In Aqqshog, /n/ at the end of words is dropped, leading to a unique simplification of word-final clusters. Unlike its sister languages, Aqqshog develops a vowel-breaking system where certain vowels in specific environments split into diphthongs. Moreover, it maintains the glottal stop /ʔ/ longer than other North-Uruk languages, adding a distinctive phonetic character.


3. Ørksøyanüw: Ørksøyanüw introduces nasal assimilation, wherein the place of articulation of a nasal consonant changes to match a following consonant. This differs from other North-Uruk languages. The language also experiences a shift of /ʒ/ to /ʃ/ in certain environments. Unique to Ørksøyanüw is the change of /l/ to /w/ before consonants, leading to a distinctive phonetic profile.


4. Khuzhaiki: Khuzhaiki develops a tendency to drop final syllables in words of three or more syllables, which is distinct from its sister languages. There is also a particular sound change where /ei/ diphthongs shift to /ai/. Additionally, Khuzhaiki exhibits a merger of /ɾ/ and /l/ to /l/ in all positions, distinguishing its phonetic character from its sibling languages.


5. Ēčoğ: Ēčoğ is marked by a distinct shift where /a/ changes to /æ/ before nasal consonants, a feature not seen in its sister languages. In addition, it undergoes a reduction of diphthongs to simple vowels in unstressed syllables. Moreover, Ēčoğ uniquely retains the distinction between /l/ and /r/, contrary to the general trend of merger in other North-Uruk languages.

Sound Changes

1. Initial /a/ becomes /ə/ in unstressed syllables.
2. Intervocalic /k/ and /g/ become /ʔ/ (a glottal stop).
3. /ö/ changes to /e/ in all positions.
4. /ŋ/ merges with /n/ in all positions.
5. Final /r/ is deleted.
6. /tʃ/ changes to /ʃ/ in all positions.
7. Initial /p/ becomes /f/ before front vowels.
8. /a/ changes to /o/ before nasal consonants.
9. Vowel length distinction is lost.
10. /i/ changes to /ɪ/ before non-front vowels.
11. /ɑ/ changes to /ʌ/ in closed syllables.
12. /t/ and /d/ are affricated to /tʃ/ and /dʒ/ respectively
13. /u/ changes to /ʊ/ in final position.
14. Vowel harmony becomes less strict.
15. Intervocalic /t/ and /d/ become /ɾ/.
16. /l/ and /r/ merge to /r/ in all positions.
17. Initial /b/ and /d/ become /p/ and /t/
18. /w/ and /j/ are deleted in initial position.
19. Final nasals /m/, /n/, /ŋ/ are deleted.
20. /s/ and /ʃ/ merge to /s/ in all positions.
21. /ʌ/ and /ə/ merge to /a/

Root Languages

• Proto-Uruk language

Successor Languages

• Üsshe language
• Aqqshog language

Spoken by

• Kuzeyuruk people