The Manaluk language distinguishes itself from other conlangs with its simple verb system of non-past, past, and ariellas tense.
Semantic drift in language can occur through historical changes or borrowing, resulting in shifts in meaning and even opposite meanings.
Derivational morphology is a language feature that creates new words by adding affixes to existing roots, influenced by historical changes and cultural shifts.
Deep dives
Verb system is simple and restrained
The Manaluk language has a verb system that consists of only non-past, past, and ariellas tense. This simplicity and restraint in verb conjugation sets it apart from many other conlang verb systems.
Interest in semantic drift and derivational morphology
The language exhibits various examples of semantic drift, where the meanings of words shift over time. Additionally, it employs derivational morphology to create new words by adding prefixes and suffixes to existing roots.
Classifier system for noun classification
The language utilizes a classifier system to classify nouns based on their characteristics. Different classifiers are used depending on the category of the noun, such as human body parts, animals, objects, etc.
Semantic drift and language borrowing
Semantic drift refers to the phenomenon where words change in meaning over time or through borrowing from other languages. This can lead to a shift in opposite meanings, as seen in the example of the words Davis and Asuras originally having different meanings but eventually becoming opposite in Vedic and investing cultures. This process of borrowing between languages can result in slight shifts and changes in meaning, similar to how the word 'cardinal' might be mistakenly used to refer to all birds if borrowed from another language. Semantic drift can occur both historically and in the process of language borrowing, leading to expansions, contractions, or metaphorical extensions of meaning.
Derivational morphology and polysemy
Derivational morphology refers to how new meanings or functions can develop over time within a language. An example of this is the English ending 'er', which is primarily used to derive agent nouns like 'runner' or 'speaker', but can also indicate instrumentality like 'poker', which is a tool used to poke at a fireplace. Additionally, some words, like 'finger', have the same ending but are not related to those meanings. These shifts in meaning and use of derivational morphology can be influenced by historical changes, past superstitions, or cultural shifts, adding an interesting flavor to language evolution.
We go a little out of our comfort zone and talk about language history — particularly as involves the diachronic method of creating a conlang. Then we move on to some talk about a language called Dimana Lokud. Top of Show Greeting: Oupe Links and Resources: Wikipedia on the Neogrammarians Book with some information on... Read more »
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