Huswat (usˈvæt)

Huswat is a classical language dating back to the Third Age. Originating in $LOCATION, it was spread throughout Erwā by the precursors, and many languages in the region contain Huswat loan-words or influences.

History

Nyt (old)

The first evidence of Old Huswat were be found on clay tablets in $LOCATION, dating back to $TIME. Its distribution remained limited to $LOCATION_REGION until $LATER, when the precursors became to spread across Erwā. Old Huswat was standardised into classical Huswat around 3.3754, in an effort to maintain communication within the $EMPIRE_NAME empire.

Ascalc (Classical)

Now extinct as a primary language, Classical Huswat was the language spoken at the heart of the $EMPIRE_NAME empire. Despite the later prevalence of Regal Huswat, the Classical branch was - and still is - used in academic, diplomatic, fiscal, and legal settings. While regents, thanes, and local monarchs selected from the local population were permitted to take up positions of power on the fringes of the empire, the use of the more complex Classical Huswat in the empire's infrastructure was intended to prevent any 'incomers' from gaining excessive power.
Though widely considered a dead language and despite nearly a centrury of efforts to force change in Central and Western Ewura, Classical Huswat remains the language of diplomatic communication, academia, finance, medicine, and law throughout Erwā, and early exposure to, and education in, the language is largely restricted to the aristocracy and priesthood.

Swomiki (Regal)

A simpified version of Classical Huswat, Regal (lit.: King's) Huswat was spoken by lesser monarchs and regional leaders on the fringes of the $EMPIRE_NAME empire. It was later popularised through a widespread literacy campaign in $EARLY_FOURTH_AGE_DATE, and became the ancestor of the Nyskretti language family.

Nælaki (Vulgar)

Vulgar (lit.: servant's) Huswat was rarely writted down and evidence of its existence and devlopment is rare, existing mainly in forms of graffiti. The mass-literacy campaign that entrenched Regal Huswat as the standard language of Eastern Erwā is believed to have led to the use of Vulgar Huswat by social outgroups as a means of identification and secure communication, influencing cants such as Pelpatter.

Contemporary use

Today, Huswat as a primary language is almost extinct, surviving in isolated locations, such as the town of Ekhna in Acostail, wher residents speak an almost unchanged dialect of Swomki.