Celestial Karidan
Celestial Karidan (Haldravik Karidan in its own tongue), commonly referred to as "Old Karidan", is an ancient language primarily used in religious contexts by the high priests and monks of Order of Haldra and in isolated communities within the Karidan Peninsula. It is considered a sacred language, often used for liturgical purposes and in the preservation of ancient texts and prophecies.
Etymology and Nomenclature
The term "Celestial Karidan" (Haldravik Karidan) reflects the language's divine associations and its connection to Haldra, the deity of light. The word "Haldravik" combines "Haldra" with the suffix "-vik," denoting "of or relating to the celestial realm." While "Celestial Karidan" is the official name, it is commonly referred to as "Old Karidan" in everyday discourse, particularly by scholars and those outside the Order of Haldra. This colloquial name distinguishes it from the modern Karidan language.History
The exact origins of Celestial Karidan are unclear, but linguistic scholars believe it dates back to the early before the Kingdom of Karida. It likely evolved from an even older proto-language, though evidence for this is scarce. Over time, Celestial Karidan fell out of common use, replaced by its modern descendant in everyday communication. However, it retained its importance in religious and scholarly circles.Usage
Today, Celestial Karidan is primarily used in the following contexts:- Religious ceremonies and texts of the Order of Haldra
- Ancient prophecies and sacred writings
- Scholarly study, particularly in fields related to history and theology
- Some isolated communities in the Karidan forest and remote villages
Linguistic Features
Celestial Karidan is known for its complex grammatical structure and rich vocabulary. Some notable features include:- A system of six noun cases
- Verb conjugations that indicate tense, aspect, mood, and evidentiality
- A significant number of compound words
- Phonemic distinctions that have been lost in modern Karidan
- A vigesimal (base-20) number system
Writing System
Celestial Karidan is typically written using the Haldric script, a unique alphabet developed for the language. Some texts, particularly those intended for wider distribution, may be transliterated into more common scripts.Cultural Significance
Celestial Karidan holds a place of reverence in Karidan culture, particularly among followers of Haldra. Knowledge of the language is often seen as a mark of education and spiritual devotion. Many important prophecies and religious texts, such as the Proffwod af Dragwod Sceadu, are preserved in their original Celestial Karidan, with translations considered less authoritative.Dictionary
Spoken by
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