Nyver is one of the oldest languages on Guardian Dragon, and while mainly spoken among
elves,
Firstborn use it as well. Additionally, Nyver is the language of magic, and thus, most mages know at least the bare basics of it, as it is used in many common incantations.
The language originates from Toshan, and the language variant is considered the purest and original by many locals. The dialects of
Galinstrann and Khu'ata in places vary greatly from this and the one spoken in the lands of Agar, thus making it difficult for the people of each dialect to understand one another.
Nyver has been a base for many other languages of the realm, though over the many millenia, those languages have evolved and developed their own, unique grammar and vocabulary. These days, Nyver mostly reflects in single words and grammatic features.
Nyver in Names
Nyver is commonly used not only in Elven names, but in the names of other races, as well. Below are some of the words used as and in names. More can be found from the dictionary, and it's not uncommon to change the word a little when combining it with another to make it sound better - because sometimes, that's important, too!
| Nyver |
Translation |
| abië |
evening |
| amel |
morning |
| dala(ya) |
open sea |
| elein |
peace |
| eln |
wolf |
| ennath |
song |
| fialin |
wind |
| galim |
bright |
| halan |
silent |
| lametho |
sea |
| lan |
sword |
lumm |
flower |
lutas |
mercy |
magil, magol |
protect; defend |
mai |
gold |
mitán |
melody |
méati |
beauty |
méla |
beautiful |
nashen |
dim [lighting] |
nelia |
star |
nádja, nádya |
strong |
ogóth |
will |
onta |
sky |
otáil |
brave |
roth |
light |
tilis |
dream |
untan |
strong; powerful |
íth |
flare; blaze |
Syntax
"Vinnitos üliana."
[I was thinking of you.]
Usually, Nyver follows the SVO-rule, but it's generally quite free, and ordering your sentence in other ways is allowed. Subject isn't always even present, if it can be deduced from the context alone.
"Loesmo eteno voe?"
[Where do you know them from?]
If a sentence begins with an interrogative word, the rest of the sentence usually follows the aforementioned syntax. However, if such word is not present, the sentence commonly begins with a verb and ends with a question marker 'eto.'
Tenses
Nyver has three tenses: past, present and future. These tenses can be used in both verbs and adjectives depending on the sentence and what one might wish to ephasize, but the general rule is, if you're telling something happened, the suffix is added to the verb, and if you're describing something, the suffix is added to the adjective.
For example, if you wish to talk about a war that was bloody, and this adjective is the important fact, the suffix would be in the word bloody. However, if the focus of what's being told is the war - that was also bloody -, the suffix is would be in the verb.
Present is done by adding 'o.'
"Jalino üliana."
(I love you.)
"Lan sta kualo."
(The broken sword.)
Past tense is done with adding a -tos.
"Jaliantos üliana."
(I loved you.)
"Lan sta kualtos."
(The sword was broken.)
Future tense is expressed with the suffix -el.
"Jalianel üliana."
(I will love you.)
"Lan sta kualel."
(The sword will be broken.)
