James Colton

Umvralith: Language of the Night

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https://www.jamescolton.com/articles/umvralith/

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Introduction

Umvralith is a predominantly analytic, head-final language with a grammar driven by two parallel systems: derivational morphology is handled by agglutinative affixes, while syntax is controlled by a robust collection of particles. These particles replace strict lexical classes—words take on verb- or noun-like roles depending on their assigned particle—and include an ergative–absolutive case system that enables free word order. Other notable features include:

  • No plural or tense inflections
  • No articles, adjectives, or adverbs
  • An octal number system
  • A mora-timed rhythm
  • A pitch accent

Phonology

Phonemic Inventory

Consonants
Labial Coronal Dorsal
Nasal /ɱ/ /n/ /ŋ/
Plosive /t/ /k/
Fricative /v/ /θ s z/ /x/
Liquid /ʋ/ /l/ /ɰ/
Vowels
Front Central Back
High /ɪ/ /ʊ/
Mid /ɛ/
Low /ɐ/

Umvralith has the diphthongs /ɛɪ ɐɪ/.

Pronunciation and Romanization
IPA Pronunciation Romanization
/ɱ/ English ⟨m⟩ as in from Victor ⟨m⟩
/n/ English ⟨n⟩ as in night ⟨n⟩
/ŋ/ English ⟨ng⟩ as in song ⟨n⟩
/t/ English ⟨t⟩ as in time ⟨t⟩
/k/ English ⟨k⟩ as in kill ⟨q⟩
/v/ English ⟨v⟩ as in void ⟨v⟩
/θ/ English ⟨th⟩ as in thin ⟨th⟩; ⟨thh⟩ when geminated
/s/ English ⟨s⟩ as in sigh ⟨s⟩
/z/ English ⟨z⟩ as in zone ⟨z⟩
/x/ German ⟨ch⟩ as in buch ⟨qh⟩; ⟨qhh⟩ when geminated
/ʋ/ Between English ⟨w⟩ and ⟨v⟩ ⟨u⟩
/l/ English ⟨l⟩ as in light ⟨l⟩
/ɰ/ French ⟨r⟩ as in notre ⟨r⟩
/ɪ/ English ⟨i⟩ as in miss ⟨i⟩
/ʊ/ English ⟨oo⟩ as in book ⟨u⟩
/ɛ/ English ⟨e⟩ as in rest ⟨e⟩
/ɐ/ English ⟨a⟩ as in far ⟨a⟩
/ɛɪ/ English ⟨a⟩ as in phase ⟨ei⟩
/ɐɪ/ English ⟨i⟩ as in spine ⟨ai⟩

Unless otherwise stated, geminated consonants and long vowels are simply written twice.

Voicing onset time is late; in fact, a geminated voiced consonant may be realized as an unvoiced consonant followed by a voiced one (e.g., /vː/ may be realized as [fv]).

/ŋ s/ are allophonic with /n z/, and only occur in the following situations:

  • /n/ becomes /ŋ/ before dorsals: /nŋ nk nx nɰ/ → /ŋŋ ŋk ŋx ŋɰ/
  • /z/ becomes /s/ word-finally: /ɪz/ → /ɪs/

/ŋ/ (but not /n/) may be elided, in which case the preceding vowel is lengthened and nasalized (e.g., /ɐŋk/ → [ɐ̃ːk]).

/ʋ/ may be realized as [v] unless it follows /v ɰ/ (e.g., /tʋ vʋ zʋ ɰʋ/ → [tv vʋ zv ɰʋ]).

Word-initial vowels are never preceded by a glottal plosive (a click in the back of the throat); /ɐv/ should be pronounced [ɐv], not [ʔɐv].

Rhythm

Umvralith is a mora-timed language, meaning each mora (smallest unit of rhythm) is the same duration. This is in contrast to English, a stress-timed language, in which syllables are lengthened or shortened to produce even intervals between each stressed syllable.

Every syllable nucleus constitutes a mora. If the syllable contains an onset, then the onset is included as part of the nucleus’ mora. If the syllable contains a coda, however, the coda constitutes its own separate mora.

Therefore, the following examples can be broken down thus:

  • ⟨va⟩ → ⟨va⟩, 1 mora
  • ⟨mur⟩ → ⟨mu-r⟩, 2 morae
  • ⟨tulvra⟩ → ⟨tu-l-vra⟩, 3 morae
  • ⟨tulvuir⟩ → ⟨tu-l-vui-r⟩, 4 morae
  • ⟨umvrieth⟩ → ⟨u-m-vri-e-th⟩, 5 morae

Note that morae are not equivalent to syllables. In the examples above, ⟨mur⟩ is two morae, but only one syllable, while ⟨tulvuir⟩ is only two syllables, but contains four morae. The practical result is that syllables with codas seem to last slightly longer than those without. Thus, although ⟨tulvra⟩ and ⟨tulvuir⟩ both contain two syllables, ⟨tulvuir⟩ will seem to last one beat longer.

Pitch

Umvralith is a pitch-accent language, meaning syllables are emphasized by a change in tone rather than by volume or length, as is typical in stress-accent languages like English. Therefore, accented syllables in Umvralith should generally remain the same volume and duration as unaccented ones, differing only in pitch.

Umvralith pitch patterns are regular:

  1. All syllables start with low pitch
  2. The first heavy syllable (syllable with a coda) receives high pitch
  3. If there are no heavy syllables, the first syllable receives high pitch
  4. If the word is a particle, all syllables revert to low pitch

Phonotactics

Umvralith syllables adhere to the following rules:

  • Syllables obey the pattern (C)(C)V(C); that is:
    1. An optional onset of 1–2 consonants
    2. A required nucleus of a single vowel or diphthong
    3. An optional coda of a single consonant
  • Onsets may be:
    • Any single consonant
    • A nasal, plosive, or fricative followed by /ʋ/
    • A nasal, plosive, or non-labial fricative followed by /v/
    • A fricative or /t/ followed by a /ɰ/
    • /vl/
  • Onsets that end with /ʋ/ must be followed by /ɪ/
  • Codas may be any single consonant except /ʋ/

Syllables may be joined into multisyllabic words according to the following rules:

  • Any coda may be followed by itself as an onset (resulting in gemination)
  • Syllables without a coda may be followed by:
    • Any nasal, fricative, or liquid onset
    • Any plosive-led onset cluster
  • Nasal codas may be followed by:
    • Plosive or fricative onsets at the same place of articulation (/n/ is considered both coronal and dorsal on account of its allophone /ŋ/)
    • /v/ onsets
    • /ʋ/ onsets
  • /t/ codas may be followed by non-coronal liquid onsets
  • /k/ codas may be followed by /ʋ/ onsets
  • Fricative codas may be followed by:
    • Plosive onsets
    • Fricative onsets articulated farther forward (/θ/ is considered farther forward than /z/ on account of being a dental coronal rather than an alveolar coronal)
    • Liquid onsets
  • Liquid codas may be followed by non-liquid onsets (except in the case of geminated liquids)
  • The pattern /ɰVC.(C)ɰ/ is not allowed

These rules yield the following onsets…

  • /ɱ ɱv ɱʋ/
  • /n nv nʋ/
  • /t tv tʋ tɰ/
  • /k kv kʋ/
  • /v vʋ vl vɰ/
  • /θ θv θʋ θɰ/
  • /z zv zʋ zɰ/
  • /x xv xʋ xɰ/
  • /ʋ/
  • /l/
  • /ɰ/

…the following codas…

  • /ɱ/
  • /n/
  • /t/
  • /k/
  • /v/
  • /θ/
  • /z/
  • /x/
  • /l/
  • /ɰ/

…and the following coda-onset pairings:

  • /ɱ.ɱ ɱ.ɱv ɱ.ɱʋ ɱ.ɱɰ ɱ.v ɱ.vʋ ɱ.vl ɱ.vɰ ɱ.ʋ/
  • /n.n n.nv n.nʋ ŋ.ŋɰ n.t n.tv n.tʋ n.tɰ ŋ.k ŋ.kv ŋ.kʋ n.v n.vʋ n.vl n.vɰ n.θ n.θv n.θʋ n.θɰ n.z n.zv n.zʋ n.zɰ ŋ.x ŋ.xv ŋ.xʋ ŋ.xɰ n.ʋ/
  • /t.t t.tv t.tʋ t.tɰ t.ʋ t.ɰ/
  • /k.k k.kv k.kʋ k.ʋ/
  • /v.t v.tv v.tʋ v.tɰ v.k v.kv v.kʋ v.v v.vʋ v.vl v.vɰ v.ʋ v.l v.ɰ/
  • /θ.t θ.tv θ.tʋ θ.tɰ θ.k θ.kv θ.kʋ θ.v θ.vʋ θ.vl θ.vɰ θ.θ θ.θv θ.θʋ θ.θɰ θ.ʋ θ.l θ.ɰ/
  • /z.t z.tv z.tʋ z.tɰ z.k z.kv z.kʋ z.v z.vʋ z.vl z.vɰ z.θ z.θv z.θʋ z.θɰ z.z z.zv z.zʋ z.zɰ z.ʋ z.l z.ɰ/
  • /x.t x.tv x.tʋ x.tɰ x.k x.kv x.kʋ x.v x.vʋ x.vl x.vɰ x.θ x.θv x.θʋ x.θɰ x.z x.zv x.zʋ x.zɰ x.x x.xv x.xʋ x.xɰ x.ʋ x.l x.ɰ/
  • /l.ɱ l.ɱv l.ɱʋ l.ɱɰ l.n l.nv l.nʋ l.ŋɰ l.t l.tv l.tʋ l.tɰ l.k l.kv l.kʋ l.v l.vʋ l.vl l.vɰ l.θ l.θv l.θʋ l.θɰ l.z l.zv l.zʋ l.zɰ l.x l.xv l.xʋ l.xɰ l.l/
  • /ɰ.ɱ ɰ.ɱv ɰ.ɱʋ ɰ.ɱɰ ɰ.n ɰ.nv ɰ.nʋ ɰ.ŋɰ ɰ.t ɰ.tv ɰ.tʋ ɰ.tɰ ɰ.k ɰ.kv ɰ.kʋ ɰ.v ɰ.vʋ ɰ.vl ɰ.vɰ ɰ.θ ɰ.θv ɰ.θʋ ɰ.θɰ ɰ.z ɰ.zv ɰ.zʋ ɰ.zɰ ɰ.x ɰ.xv ɰ.xʋ ɰ.xɰ ɰ.ɰ/

Any violations that arise are resolved by sound changes.

Morphology

Derivational Suffixes

Umvralith words are derived from stems through the application of suffixes. However, the semantics of the resulting word are not as narrowly defined as in English; an Umvralith derivation may be either a verb or a noun, depending on how it’s used in the sentence. Derivational suffixes may trigger sound changes which will alter the word in certain situations.

Derivational Suffixes
Suffix Verb Noun
Identitive ⟨ra⟩ To be Basic or abstract concept
Active ⟨uir⟩ To do Actor or tool
Passive ⟨rieth⟩ To be done to Experiencer or result
Collective ⟨riel⟩ To have Place, time, container, group, or context
Partitive ⟨ris⟩ To be had Occupant, possession, piece, or instance

The Identitive Suffix

As a verb, the identitive derivation (ID) means to be or exist as X, where X represents the nominal form (see below). But note that this does not cover all cases of English’s to be. The verbal identitive is reserved for permanent identities, such as species or gender.

As a noun, the identitive has no true pattern of meaning, except that most high-level abstract concepts take this form. But the identitive may also be used for physical objects, people, sensations, places—virtually anything. Usually, the other derivations use this form as their semantic base.

⟨tulvra⟩
/ˈtʊl.vɰɐ/
verb: to be written language
noun: written language

The Active Suffix

As a verb, the active derivation (ACT) means to do X, where X represents an action associated with the identitive noun. Alternatively, it may be translated as to be someone/thing that does X.

As a noun, the active represents a person or tool that would actively perform the verb described above. As a result, the words for a tool and the one who uses the tool are often the same.

⟨tulvuir⟩
/ˈtʊl.vʋɪɰ/
verb: to write; to be an author or pen
noun: writer; author; pen

The Passive Suffix

As a verb, the passive derivation (PAS) means for X to be done to, where X represents the active verb. Alternatively, it may be translated as to be someone/thing to which X is done, or to be the result of X.

As a noun, the passive represents the recipient or result of the associated verb.

Note that the passive derivation is not necessarily the literal inverse of the active, as the example below demonstrates:

⟨tulvrieth⟩
/ˈtʊl.vɰɪ.ɛθ/
verb: to read; to be a reader
noun: reader; writing surface

The Collective Suffix

As a verb, the collective derivation (COL) means to have X, where X represents the identitive noun. It can often be translated as to be X, but only when X represents a temporary or inessential attribute, such as a location, color, or possession. Alternatively, the collective verb may be translated as to be something that has X.

As a noun, the collective represents a place, time, container, group, or other context in which the identitive noun may be found. It may also represent a generalized, abstract concept in cases when the identitive noun is a concrete instance.

⟨tulvriel⟩
/ˈtʊl.vɰɪ.ɛl/
verb: to contain writings; to be a book or library
noun: book; library

The Partitive Suffix

As a verb, the partitive derivation (PRT) means for X to have, where X represents the identitive noun. Alternatively, it may be translated as to be something that is a part of X.

As a noun, the partitive represents a part of a greater whole, or a concrete instance of an abstract concept. It may also represent the irreducible essence of something.

⟨tulvris⟩
/ˈtʊl.vɰɪs/
verb: for writing to contain; to be a letter
noun: letter

Derivational Prefixes

Umvralith stems can be further modified through the application of derivational prefixes.

Derivational Suffixes
Prefix Meaning
Augmentative ⟨ur⟩ before a vowel, ⟨u⟩ otherwise Bigness, intensity, or completeness
Diminutive ⟨ir⟩ before a vowel, ⟨i⟩ otherwise Smallness, attenuation, or incompleteness

The Augmentative Prefix

The augmentative prefix (AUG) is most easily thought of as big X:

⟨vleithuir⟩ → ⟨uvleithuir⟩
/ˈvlɛɪθ.ʋɪɰ/ → /ʊ.ˈvlɛɪθ.ʋɪɰ/
sword → greatsword

However, it can also be a more abstract intensifier or perfector:

⟨avuir⟩ → ⟨uravuir⟩
/ˈɐv.ʋɪɰ/ → /ʊ.ˈɰɐv.ʋɪɰ/
birth → resurrection

The Diminutive Prefix

The diminutive prefix (DIM) is most easily thought of as small X:

⟨vleithuir⟩ → ⟨ivleithuir⟩
/ˈvlɛɪθ.ʋɪɰ/ → /ɪ.ˈvlɛɪθ.ʋɪɰ/
sword → knife

However, it can also be a more abstract reducer:

⟨umvuir⟩ → ⟨irumvuir⟩
/ˈʊɱ.vʋɪɰ/ → /ɪ.ˈɰʊɱ.vʋɪɰ/
darkness → dimness

Compound Words

Compound words in Umvralith are almost exclusively reserved for proper names. They are formed by prefixing a derived modifier word onto a base word, like so:

⟨Umvralithra⟩
/ˈʊɱ.vɰɐ.ˈlɪθ.ɰɐ/
darkness-speech
Umvralith

Note that all parts of the compound retain their original pitch contour, resulting in multiple high-pitched syllables in a single word. However, the first syllable still receives the highest pitch; subsequent high pitches are weaker.

Sound Changes

Morphological processes may result in word forms that violate Umvralith’s phonotactics. These illegal phoneme sequences are subject to sound changes. Such changes apply only to individual words; the patterns that trigger them do not cross word boundaries. They are applied starting at the end of the word, and are repeated until no triggering patterns remain.

  • /l/ becomes /ɰ/ following /t/
  • /l ɰ/ become /ʋ/ following /k/
  • Intervocalic /t k/ excrete a following /ʋ/
  • /ɰVC.ɰ/ becomes /ɰVC.C/
  • /ʊ ɛ ɐ/ become /ɪ/ following /ʋ/

Syntax

Structure

Sentences are composed of phrases. A phrase consists of:

  1. Optional modifiers
  2. A root
  3. One or more particles

Roots are the content words. Every root is either a verb or noun, as determined by its syntactic particle. These particles are organized into three categories:

A modifier is another phrase that acts as an adjective or adverb describing the root. Thus, phrases may be nested indefinitely, creating a sentence hierarchy:

  1. S-Phrase
    1. M-Phrase
      1. M-Phrase

As will be seen later on, there are ways to make multiple phrases share the same level in the hierarchy:

  1. S-Phrase
    1. M-Phrase
      1. M-Phrase
      2. M-Phrase
  2. S-Phrase
    1. M-Phrase
    2. M-Phrase

When this happens, sibling phrases may appear in any order. The following sentence structures are semantically identical:

  1. verb PFV
  2. noun ABS
    1. noun₁ UN
    2. noun₂ GEN
  1. noun ABS
    1. noun₁ UN
    2. noun₂ GEN
  2. verb PFV

However, different orders can produce subtle variations in focus.

Dramatic Order

In dramatic order, phrases toward the beginning of the sentence establish context, while phrases toward the end are emphasized as the most significant pieces of information. Often, though not always, this results in the following sequence:

  1. Locative S-Phrase: where, when, or how did it happen?
  2. Ablative S-Phrase: what was the ultimate cause or origin?
  3. Ergative S-Phrase: what was the immediate cause?
  4. Allative S-Phrase: what was the intended goal or recipient?
  5. Absolutive S-Phrase: what was directly affected?
  6. Verbal S-Phrase: what happened?
⟨Neqhra ir zavuir eth zetuir ev.⟩
/ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɪɰ ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛθ ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛv/
cat ERG ruler ABS die PFV
As for the cat, the ruler was killed by it.

Dramatic order is generally the most common.

Critical Order

In critical order, phrases crucial for understanding the essence of a sentence appear toward the beginning, while less important contextual phrases are pushed toward the end. This order is chosen when quick understanding of the essential facts is more important than style or context.

⟨Zetuir ev zavuir eth neqhra ir traqhha iv umvriel il.⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛv ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛθ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɪɰ ˈtɰɐx.xɐ ɪv ˈʊɱ.vɰɪ.ɛl ɪl/
kill PFV ruler ABS cat ERG dog ABL night LOC
The ruler was killed by the cat on behalf of the dog during the night.

This is often, but not always, the inverse of dramatic order.

Chiastic Order

Chiastic order uses repeated words or structures to build a symmetrical sentence. Phrases toward the middle of the sentence link and emphasize phrases toward the outside:

⟨Navtrieth ev zelvra ir tavra eth va i tavra ir zelvra eth navtrieth nar ev va.⟩
/ˈnɐv.tɰɪ.ɛθ ɛv ˈzɛl.vɰɐ ɪɰ ˈtɐv.ɰɐ ɛθ vɐ ɪ ˈtɐv.ɰɐ ɪɰ ˈzɛl.vɰɐ ɛθ ˈnɐv.tɰɪ.ɛθ nɐɰ ɛv vɐ/
love PFV woman ERG man ABS SUB UN man ERG woman ABS love NEG PFV SUB
A woman loved a man, but the man did not love the woman.

Alternatively, the significance may be reversed, with the outer phrases pointing to and emphasizing the central phrase.

S-Phrases

Sentence phrases, or S-phrases, are phrases that end with an S-particle.

S-Particles
Particle Type Meaning
Vocative ⟨⟩ Undefined Name or direct address
Perfective ⟨ev⟩ Verbal S-Suffix Single, complete action
Imperfective ⟨ath⟩ in the partitive, ⟨as⟩ otherwise Verbal S-Suffix Ongoing or incomplete action
Hypothetical ⟨et⟩ Verbal S-Suffix Possible or uncertain action
Jussive ⟨eqh⟩ Verbal S-Suffix Intended, desired, or commanded action
Absolutive ⟨es⟩ in the passive, ⟨eth⟩ otherwise Nominal S-Suffix Patient or experiencer of the verb
Ergative ⟨ir⟩ Nominal S-Suffix Agent or actor, actively performing the verb
Reflexive ⟨im⟩ Nominal S-Suffix Both patient and agent, acting upon itself
Locative ⟨il⟩ in the collective, ⟨el⟩ otherwise Nominal S-Suffix Context, position, means, attribute, equal comparison
Allative ⟨en⟩ Nominal S-Suffix Goal, destination, purpose, recipient, unequal comparison
Ablative ⟨iv⟩ Nominal S-Suffix Origin, cause

The simplest grammatical sentence is a single S-phrase, which may be a verb or a noun. One notable result of this is that Umvralith is a pro-drop language; pronouns—indeed, any subject or object—may be omitted if context is sufficient:

⟨Luvuir ev.⟩
/ˈlʊv.ʋɪɰ ɛv/
rain PFV
(It) rained.
⟨Navtrieth as.⟩
/ˈnɐv.tɰɪ.ɛθ ɐs/
love IPFV
(I) love (you).

Of course, when the context is inadequate, the subject or object can still be included:

⟨Navtrieth as thulvra eth.⟩
/ˈnɐv.tɰɪ.ɛθ ɐs ˈθʊl.vɰɐ ɛθ/
love IPFV INT you ABS
(I) love you.

Verbs may be omitted as well:

⟨Melqui ir.⟩
/ˈɱɛl.kʋɪ ɪɰ/
I ERG
I do.

When a sentence contains multiple S-phrases, they are always siblings of each other at the highest level of the sentence hierarchy:

  1. noun ERG
  2. noun ABS
  3. verb PFV

Generally, a sentence may contain only one verbal S-phrase and one of each nominal S-phrase, although subordinate clauses allow for exceptions.

The Vocative Particle

The vocative particle (VOC) is a word’s dictionary form. It is used for titles, standalone exclamations, or direct addresses.

⟨umvra⟩
/ˈʊɱ.vɰɐ/
darkness VOC
darkness

The Perfective Particle

The perfective particle (PFV) creates a verbal S-phrase. It is usually realis, representing a single, complete action. In the absence of any overruling temporal context, it implies past tense.

⟨zetuir ev⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛv/
kill PFV
has killed

The Imperfective Particle

The imperfective particle (IPFV) creates a verbal S-phrase. It is usually realis, representing an ongoing, incomplete, or habitual action. In the absence of any overruling temporal context, it implies present tense.

⟨zetuir as⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɐs/
kill IPFV
is killing

The Hypothetical Particle

The hypothetical particle (HYP) creates a verbal S-phrase. It is irrealis, representing a possible or uncertain action. In the absence of any overruling temporal context, it implies future tense.

⟨zetuir et⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛt/
kill HYP
can or might kill

The Jussive Particle

The jussive particle (JUS) creates a verbal S-phrase. It is irrealis, representing a desired, intended, or commanded action. In the absence of any overruling temporal context, it implies future tense.

⟨zetuir eqh⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛx/
kill JUS
(I command you or intend to) kill

The Absolutive Particle

The absolutive particle (ABS) creates a nominal S-phrase. It represents the experiencer of a verb. This often corresponds with English’s direct object, but it may also represent a passive-voice subject. Passivity is the key attribute of an absolutive noun; it isn’t actually doing anything.

⟨Zetuir ev zavuir eth.⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛv ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛθ/
die PFV ruler ABS
The ruler died.

The absolutive particle is often used in situations where English speakers would expect to find the locative particle instead:

⟨zvetuir neqhra eth⟩
/ˈzvɛt.ʋɪɰ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɛθ/
dance cat ABS
to dance with a cat (lit. to dance a cat)

It can also be used in simple causative sentences (and other similar constructions) to mark the caused verb:

⟨Melqui ir zavuir ev numvra a tulvuir eth.⟩
/ˈɱɛl.kʋɪ ɪɰ ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛv ˈnʊɱ.vɰɐ ɐ ˈtʊl.vʋɪɰ ɛθ/
I ERG cause PFV them GEN write ABS
I made them write.

The Ergative Particle

The ergative particle (ERG) creates a nominal S-phrase. It represents the performer of a verb. This corresponds with English’s active-voice subject. In contrast to the absolutive, an ergative noun is an active participant in the sentence and the direct cause of the primary verb.

⟨Zetuir ev zavuir eth neqhra ir.⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛv ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛθ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɪɰ/
die PFV ruler ABS cat ERG
The cat killed the ruler.

The ergative particle does not necessarily have to mark a concrete, animate noun. While sentences such as the following are common…

⟨Zetuir ev rathha el zavuir eth neqhra ir.⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛv ˈɰɐθ.θɐ ɛl ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛθ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɪɰ/
die PFV accident LOC ruler ABS cat ERG
A cat killed the ruler by accident.

…the ergative and locative nouns could easily be reversed. Note the shift in focus:

⟨Zetuir ev neqhra el zavuir eth rathha ir.⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛv ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɛl ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛθ ˈɰɐθ.θɐ ɪɰ/
die PFV cat LOC ruler ABS accident ERG
An accident used a cat to kill the ruler.

The absolutive-ergative distinction eliminates the need for certain transitive-intransitive verb pairs found in English, such as kill/die.

The Reflexive Particle

The reflexive particle (REF) creates a nominal S-phrase. It combines the absolutive and ergative particles, representing a noun that is both the performer and experiencer of a verb. This eliminates the need for reflexive pronouns like English’s himself, herself, itself, etc.

⟨Zetuir ev zavuir i neqhra im.⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛv ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɪ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɪɱ/
die PFV ruler UN cat REF
The ruler and the cat killed each other/themselves.

If a sentence contains a reflexive phrase, it may not also contain an absolutive or ergative phrase.

The Locative Particle

The locative particle (LOC) creates a nominal S-phrase, marking its noun as the context of the verb. This can have a wide range of meanings, including a position in space or time…

⟨thelvriel il⟩
/ˈθɛl.vɰɪ.ɛl ɪl/
house LOC
at the house
⟨Umvriel il qhethra a neqhra ir nethquieth as.⟩
/ˈʊɱ.vɰɪ.ɛl ɪl ˈxɛθ.ɰɐ ɐ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɪɰ uɰ ˈnɛθ.kʋɪ.ɛθ ɐs/
night LOC whiteness GEN cat ERG sleep IPFV
At night, the white cat sleeps.

…a companion…

⟨zavuir el⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛl/
ruler LOC
with the ruler

…an ordinal number…

⟨azra el lithuir ev⟩
/ˈɐz.ɰɐ ɛl ˈlɪθ.ʋɪɰ ɛv/
one LOC speak PFV
spoke first

…a method or tool…

⟨vleithra el zetuir ev⟩
/ˈvlɛɪθ.ɰɐ ɛl ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛv/
saber LOC kill PFV
killed via saber

…an attribute or manner…

⟨rivtra el lithuir ev⟩
/ˈɰɪv.tɰɐ ɛl ˈlɪθ.ʋɪɰ ɛv/
anger LOC speak PFV
spoke angrily

…or a point of reference for a comparison between equals:

⟨Zavuir eth neqhra el zenthriel as.⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛθ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɛl ˈzɛn.θɰɪ.ɛl ɐs/
ruler ABS cat LOC has.height IPFV
The ruler is as tall as a cat.

Umvralith lacks precise prepositions like in, on, during, after, or near; such specificity must instead be achieved by chaining multiple M-phrases:

⟨thelvriel a zenthriel il⟩
/thelvriel a zenthriel il/
house GEN top LOC
on the house
⟨umvriel a murriel il⟩
/umvriel a murriel il/
night GEN future LOC
after night

However, such verbose phrases are resorted to only when necessary.

The Allative Particle

The allative particle (ALL) creates a nominal S-phrase, marking its noun as the intended goal, recipient, or outcome of the verb:

⟨thelvriel en⟩
/ˈθɛl.vɰɪ.ɛl ɛn/
house ALL
to the house
⟨umvriel en⟩
/ˈʊɱ.vɰɪ.ɛl ɛn/
night ALL
until night
⟨zetuir en⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛn/
kill ALL
in order to kill

As noted before, greater precision can be achieved when necessary by chaining multiple phrases together:

⟨thelvriel a irriel en⟩
/ˈθɛl.vɰɪ.ɛl ɐ ˈɪɰ.ɰɪ.ɛl ɛn/
house GEN inside ALL
into the house

The allative particle can also convey movement or intention contrary to something…

⟨zeqhvuir en⟩
/ˈzɛx.vʋɪɰ ɛn/
wind ALL
against the wind
⟨zavuir en⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛn/
ruler ALL
against the ruler

…or be used to mark a point of reference when making a comparison between unequal things:

⟨Zavuir eth neqhra en nazriel as.⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛθ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɛn ˈnɐz.ɰɪ.ɛl ɐs/
ruler ABS cat ALL has.shortness IPFV
The ruler is shorter than a cat.

The Ablative Particle

The ablative particle (ABL) creates a nominal S-phrase, marking its noun as the verb’s origin or cause:

⟨thelvriel iv⟩
/ˈθɛl.vɰɪ.ɛl ɪv/
house ABL
from the house
⟨umvriel iv⟩
/ˈʊɱ.vɰɪ.ɛl ɪv/
night ABL
since night
⟨mazra iv⟩
/ˈɱɐz.ɰɐ ɪv/
illness ABL
because of illness
⟨zavuir iv⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɪv/
ruler ABL
on behalf of the ruler

M-Phrases

Modifier phrases, or M-phrases, are phrases that end with an M-particle.

M-Particles
Suffix Type Meaning
Genitive ⟨a⟩ M-Suffix Owner, general association

They are comparable to English adjectives and adverbs, describing a subsequent noun or verb and trigger a deepening of the sentence heierarchy:

  1. noun GEN verb PFV
  1. verb PFV
    1. noun GEN

M-phrases modify only the immediately following phrase, and can nest indefinitely:

  1. noun₁ GEN noun₂ GEN noun₃ GEN noun₄ GEN verb PFV
  1. verb PFV
    1. noun₄ GEN
      1. noun₃ GEN
        1. noun₂ GEN
          1. noun₁ GEN
⟨nezra a neqhra a zavuir⟩
/ˈnɛz.ɰɐ ɐ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɐ ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ/
evil GEN cat GEN ruler
the ruler with evil cats

An S-phrase breaks out of M-phrase nesting, returning immediately to the top of the sentence hierarchy:

  1. noun₁ GEN noun₂ GEN verb₁ PFV
  2. noun₃ GEN noun₄ GEN noun₅ ABS
  1. verb₁ PFV
    1. noun₂ GEN
      1. noun₁ GEN
  2. noun₅ ABS
    1. noun₄ GEN
      1. noun₃ GEN

M-phrases must always precede the phrase they modify, and the root preceding an M-particle is always a noun.

The Genitive Particle

The genitive particle (GEN) has a wide range of meanings. It may mark its noun as an owner…

⟨neqhra a⟩
/ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɐ/
cat GEN
the cat’s

…indicate composition…

⟨uthra a⟩
/ˈʊθ.ɰɐ ɐ/
bone GEN
(made) of bone

…or establish a general association:

⟨velvra a⟩
/ˈvɛl.vɰɐ ɐ/
realm GEN
of the realm

The genetive particle is used with numbers to indicate quantity…

⟨neqhra a thetra⟩
/ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɐ ˈθɛt.ɰɐ/
cat GEN four
four cats

…as well as to form compound numbers via multiplication:

⟨zenvra a-nalvra⟩
/ˈzɛŋ.vɰɐ ɐ ˈnɐl.vɰɐ/
eight GEN two
sixteen

C-Phrases

Coordinating phrases, or C-phrases, end with a C-particle.

Suffix Type Meaning
Unitive ⟨i⟩ C-Suffix Both…and, but, and then
Disjunctive ⟨u⟩ C-Suffix And/or
Biconditional ⟨ul⟩ C-Suffix Both or neither

Broadly speaking, C-phrases merge themselves with a subsequent phrase, sharing its syntactic role. They are comparable to English conjunctions.

More specifically, C-phrases serve two—sometimes overlapping—roles. First, they join multiple roots into a single phrase:

  1. noun DIS noun ABS
⟨Neqhra i traqhha ir zavuir eth nathuir et.⟩
/ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɪ ˈtɰɐx.xɐ ɪɰ ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛθ ˈnɐθ.ʋɪɰ ɛt/
cat UN dog ERG ruler ABS eat HYP
The cat and dog might eat the ruler.

Second, they block deepening of the sentence hierarchy. Thus, they allow multiple M-phrase roots to modify the same parent:

  1. verb PFV
    1. noun₁ DIS
    2. noun₂ GEN
      1. noun₃ UN
      2. noun₄ GEN
⟨nezra i neqhra a zavuir⟩
/ˈnɛz.ɰɐ ɪ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɐ ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ/
evil UN cat GEN ruler
the evil ruler with cats

The Unitive Particle

The unitive particle (UN) generally corresponds to the English both…and construct:

⟨zavuir i neqhra⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɪ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ/
ruler UN cat
both the ruler and the cat

However, it may also be used as a translation for but, which means the same thing as and, but draws attention to contrast or surprise. Umvralith has no such distinction; the above example could be translated as “the ruler but also the cat”.

The unitive particle may also be used to mean and then (a “chronological and”)…

⟨zetuir i nathuir⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɪ ˈnɐθ.ʋɪɰ/
kill UN eat
to kill and then eat

…or it can be used to build compound numbers via addition:

⟨zenvra i-nalvra⟩
/ˈzɛŋ.vɰɐ ɪ ˈnɐl.vɰɐ/
two UN eight
ten

The Disjunctive Particle

The disjunctive particle (DIS) corresponds to English’s inclusive or:

⟨zavuir u neqhra⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ʊ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ/
ruler DIS cat
the ruler or the cat (or both)

The Biconditional Particle

The biconditional particle (BIC) is the “all or nothing” conjunction, for which there is no fantastic translation in English:

⟨zavuir ul neqhra⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ʊl ˈnɛx.ɰɐ/
ruler BIC cat
either both the ruler and the cat, or neither of them

Other Particles

Other Particles
Particle Meaning
Negative ⟨nar⟩ Creates questions
Interrogative ⟨ai⟩ Creates questions
Subordinate ⟨va⟩ Marks the end of a subordinate clause
Superordinate ⟨qhva⟩ Marks the start of subordinate clause

The Negative Particle

The negative particle (NEG) negates or inverts the meaning of the preceding root, corresponding to English’s non- or not. It always appears first in a chain of particles.

⟨zetra nar⟩
/ˈzɛt.ɰɐ nɐɰ/
undeath
⟨neqhra nar⟩
/ˈnɛx.ɰɐ nɐɰ/
cat NEG
a non-cat
⟨tulvuir nar ev⟩
/ˈtʊl.vʋɪɰ nɐɰ ɛv/
write NEG PFV
did not write

When combined with C-particles, the negative particle can alter the meaning of those particles in ways that may or may not be obvious to an English speaker:

⟨zavuir i neqhra nar⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɪ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ nɐɰ/
ruler UN cat NEG
the ruler but not the cat
⟨zavuir nar i neqhra nar⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ nɐɰ ɪ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ nɐɰ/
ruler NEG UN cat NEG
neither the ruler nor the cat
⟨zavuir u neqhra nar⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ʊ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ nɐɰ/
ruler DIS cat NEG
if the cat, then the ruler as well
⟨zavuir nar u neqhra nar⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ nɐɰ ʊ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ nɐɰ/
ruler NEG DIS cat NEG
either the ruler or the cat (but not both), or neither of them
⟨zavuir ul neqhra nar⟩
/ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ʊl ˈnɛx.ɰɐ nɐɰ/
ruler BIC cat NEG
either the ruler or the cat (must pick one)

The Interrogative Particle

The interrogative particle (INT) is placed at the end of a phrase, after any other particles, to turn the entire sentence in to a question about that phrase:

  1. noun ERG
    1. noun UN
    2. noun GEN INT
  2. verb PFV
  3. noun ABS

This usually creates a yes/no question, which is answered by either repeating the questioned phrase (for yes) or ⟨narra⟩ (for no):

⟨Navtrieth as ai melqui eth thulvra ir?⟩
/ˈnɐv.tɰɪ.ɛθ ɐs ɐɪ ˈɱɛl.kʋɪ ɛθ ˈθʊl.vɰɐ ɪɰ/
love IPFV INT me ABS you ERG
Do you love me?
⟨Navtrieth as.⟩
/ˈnɐv.tɰɪ.ɛθ ɐs/
love IPFV
Yes, I love.
⟨Nar.⟩
/nɐɰ/
NEG
No.

However, if the interrogative particle precedes the word ⟨murquieth⟩ (e.g., which, who, where, etc.), it instead creates an open question. Such questions expect an answer that “fills in” the queried word:

⟨Murquieth ir ai zavuir eth zetuir ev?⟩
/ˈɱʊɰ.kʋɪ.ɛθ ɪɰ ɐɪ ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛθ ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛv/
who ERG INT ruler ABS kill PFV
Who killed the ruler?
⟨Neqhra ir!⟩
/ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɪɰ/
cat ERG
The cat did!

The Subordinate Particle

The subordinate particle (SUB) embeds a child hierarchy within a parent sentence without affecting the greater sentence hierarchy. This child hierarchy may be a series of nested M-phrases, or an entire sentence (i.e., a subordinate clause).

Everything prior to the subordinate particle is included in the child hierarchy. By default, this means that a subordinate particle reaches all the way back to the beginning of the sentence, unless it encounters another subordinate particle or a superordinate particle.

The subordinate particle must almost always take another syntactic particle, which sets the child hierarchy’s role in the parent sentence.

  1. noun ERG verb PFV SUB GEN noun ABS verb PFV
  1. noun ABS
    1. SUB GEN
      1. noun ERG
      2. verb PFV
  2. verb PFV
⟨zetuir ev zavuir eth va a neqhra⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛv ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛθ vɐ ɐ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ/
kill PFV ruler ABS SUB GEN cat
the cat that killed the ruler
⟨umvra a neqhra va a zavuir⟩
/ˈʊɱ.vɰɐ ɐ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ vɐ ɐ ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ/
black GEN cat SUB GEN ruler
the ruler with black cats

The subordinate particle is used to form mid-sentence quotations…

⟨“Neqhra eth nezriel as!” va eth lithuir ev zavuir ir.⟩
/ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɛθ ˈnɛz.ɰɪ.ɛl ɐs vɐ ɛθ ˈlɪθ.ʋɪɰ ɛv ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɪɰ/
cat ABS is.evil IPFV SUB ABS say PFV ruler ERG
The ruler said, “Cats are evil!”

…as well as causative sentences and other similar constructions:

⟨Numvra ir tulvuir ev va eth melqui ir zavuir ev.⟩
/ˈnʊɱ.vɰɐ ɪɰ ˈtʊl.vʋɪɰ ɛv vɐ ɛθ ˈɱɛl.kʋɪ ɪɰ ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ ɛv/
them ERG write PFV SUB ABS I ERG cause PFV
I made them write.

Multiple complete sentences can be wrapped in subordinate clauses and linked to form compound sentences:

⟨Neqhra ir nathuir ev netra eth va i traqhhieth es mazuir ev va.⟩
/ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɪɰ ˈnɐθ.ʋɪɰ ɛv ˈnɛt.ɰɐ ɛθ vɐ ɪ ˈtɰɐx.xɪ.ɛθ ɛs ˈɱɐz.ʋɪɰ ɛv vɐ/
cat ERG eat PFV bug ABS SUB UN dog ABS sicken PFV SUB
The cat ate a bug and the dog got sick.

When joining sentences like this, the final subordinate particle does not require a syntactic particle.

The Superordinate Particle

A subordinate particle signals that everything prior to it is part of a subordinate clause, reaching all the way back to the start of the sentence or a prior subordinate particle. To prevent this, the superordinate particle (SUP) explicitly blocks how far back a subordinate particle can reach. Thus, everything before the superordinate particle is excluded from the subordinate clause. The superordinate particle is placed as the very last particle of the phrase immediately preceding the subordinate clause:

  1. verb PFV SUP noun ERG verb PFV SUB GEN noun ABS
  1. verb PFV SUP
  2. noun ABS
    1. SUB GEN
      1. noun ERG
      2. verb PFV
⟨Zetuir ev qhva neqhra eth nathuir ev va a tavra eth.⟩
/ˈzɛt.ʋɪɰ ɛv xvɐ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ ɛθ ˈnɐθ.ʋɪɰ ɛv vɐ ɐ ˈtɐv.ɰɐ ɛθ/
die PFV SUP cat ABS eat PFV SUB GEN man ABS
The man who ate the cat died.
  1. noun UN SUP noun GEN noun SUB GEN noun
  1. noun
    1. noun UN SUP
    2. noun SUB GEN
      1. noun GEN
⟨nezra i qhva umvra a neqhra va a zavuir⟩
/ˈnɛz.ɰɐ ɪ xvɐ ˈʊɱ.vɰɐ ɐ ˈnɛx.ɰɐ vɐ ɐ ˈzɐv.ʋɪɰ/
evil UN SUP black GEN cat SUB GEN ruler
the evil ruler with black cats

The superordinate particle is optional—and in fact should not be used—if the bounds of the child hierarchy are obvious (for example, if it appears at the beginning of the parent sentence, or if a previous subordinate particle can mark the boundary).

Sample Texts

See more Umvralith examples in the sample texts.

Lexicon

The complete Umvralith word list can be found in the lexicon.

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