Old Irish exhibits initial mutations, such as nasalization and lenition, which result in changes in subsequent words.
The unique features of Old Irish, such as initial mutations and the transitional nature of the language, can inspire creative applications in conlanging.
Deep dives
Complexity of Old Irish
Old Irish is a complex language with unique features, including initial mutations and a challenging orthography. It is historically interesting, as it represents a transitional period in the language.
Initial Mutations in Old Irish
Old Irish exhibits initial mutations, such as nasalization and lenition. Nasalization occurs when a preceding word, like a preposition, ends with an N or M, resulting in changes in subsequent words. Lenition involves the transformation of sounds into fricatives between vowels.
Learning Old Irish
Learning Old Irish can be a daunting task, but there are resources available. The 'David Stifter's Sengloom' book is highly recommended for its comprehensive coverage, examples, and exercises. However, be prepared for the challenging nature of the language.
Creative Applications of Old Irish Features
The unique features of Old Irish, such as initial mutations and the transitional nature of the language, can inspire creative applications in conlanging. If you want to make a complex and Baroque conlang or explore a language's historical evolution, Old Irish can serve as an interesting reference.
We welcome Matt Boutilier on to talk about Old Irish, from the destruction of verb roots due to initial stress, to how you can incorporate initial mutations into a language. Special mention: George recommends the show Cleverman. Nothing to do with this episode, it’s just good. Top of show greeting: Dubarne /du’barnə/ Links and Resources... Read more »
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