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Because I am absolutely procrastinating the solo I'm supposed to be working on, here's more Eypharian stuff! This time, we've got Language and Names, both relatively unchanged, hence the quick turnaround, but tweaked and with a new addition on the use of arms.
I'm not 100% sure if Language is the right heading for Uses of Arms to go under, I may move it to the biology section. Thoughts on that would be appreciated.
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Because I am absolutely procrastinating the solo I'm supposed to be working on, here's more Eypharian stuff! This time, we've got Language and Names, both relatively unchanged, hence the quick turnaround, but tweaked and with a new addition on the use of arms.
I'm not 100% sure if Language is the right heading for Uses of Arms to go under, I may move it to the biology section. Thoughts on that would be appreciated.
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Language
The Eypharian language, Arumenic (Aru= river, Menic= language), has migrated the least from the Ancient tongue due to the continual caretaking of their history by Eypharians. Out of the present day languages it resembles the ancient tongue the most. The sound patterns are similar to the Ancient Tongue but have been over the centuries influenced by common. Significant traits from Nader-Canoch (The Ancient Tongue) in Arumenic include:
Sentence composition is also irregular, compared to common, and uses a verb-subject-object structure. However, sections of a sentence can be rearranged with the use of position-conjunctions after each part, such as ‘tu’ indicating a direct object and ‘ank’ indicating subject. Arumenic used this way is typically reserved for poetry, complex literature, and song.
High Arumenic, is spoken by the upper class and any privileged enough to be trained in Semhu. It is an elaboration of Arumenic that includes both subtle gestures and nuanced tones to express deeper meanings than words alone. Amateurs in this style of language, and often children, may employ the above method of rearranging the sentence to match their intended gestures, but a master can take any spoken phrase and add new meaning to it with a seemingly innocuous gesture or change in tone. An outsider may hear an idea completely contrary to what the speaker is actually saying. It is also a treacherous style of speaking as it is difficult to pin a practitioner to a particular meaning.
Casual Uses of Multiple Arms
The use of hands in conversation and casual interactions, while integral to High Arumenic, is often employed in traditional Arumenic as well. For example, a simple handshake can convey commentary on the recipient’s social status. When greeting one of an equal class, each Eypharian will clasp one of their middle-set hands. When greeting one of lower, or perceived as lower, class, an Eypharian may subtly indicate their perception by offering instead a middle or lower hand to clasp in greeting. When greeting one of a higher class, and wishing to impress by showing proper deference, an Eypharian may offer one of their top-set hands in greeting.
When dining or performing any type of public act that only employs two arms, Eypharians will typically use only the upper or middle set of arms, and have any lower sets folded in their lap. This avoids the appearance of ‘flailing’ and needed to mindlessly employ an upper set of arms in order to give better range of motion to a lower set. When in private or while in some type of industry, the use of hands if up to personal preference. Upper classes will often use four arms while eating, leading to elaborate table settings and more room to move surrounding each person. Lower classes, especially if they cannot afford such table settings, typically stick to the highest set of hands.
However, despite having multiple arms, Eypharians are not perfect multi-taskers. As it is difficult for even two-armed beings to learn to do completely different things with different hands, such as simultaneously patting heads and rubbing stomachs, being truly ambidextrous is an ability that must be practiced and gotten used to. It is a common ability for Eypharians to put their minds to, but it is not automatic.
Names
Eypharian first names tend to favor the use of the letters "T", "K", "H", "A", "S" and "R" and frequently end in vowels sounds. These rules are not absolute, though. Names are often a reflection of parents' estimation or aspirations for their child. Many Eypharian spend their lives living up to or overcoming their titles.
Last names are not indications of family, as they are for other races. They are preceded by "re" and originally stemmed from names for the great river and its branches or the city in which one was born. Since the river and most the cities are gone, Eypharians maintain the names of their ancestors, regardless of where they were personally born. Current names are drawn from the four old cities (Ahnatep, Menehat, Naphu and Bisret) as the river families died out amidst the Valterrian.
However, last names involving the city of birth are only used in formal or legal proceedings. It is far more common for an Eypharian to identify himself by title or profession. Khafre re Bisret would usually introduce himself merely as Khafre, Khafre the Jeweler or, if titled, Khafre of the Eastwinds.
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Language
The Eypharian language, Arumenic (Aru= river, Menic= language), has migrated the least from the Ancient tongue due to the continual caretaking of their history by Eypharians. Out of the present day languages it resembles the ancient tongue the most. The sound patterns are similar to the Ancient Tongue but have been over the centuries influenced by common. Significant traits from Nader-Canoch (The Ancient Tongue) in Arumenic include:
- glottal stops,
- a guttural consonant sound represented as "ayn",
- the softness of the letter "y",
- the interpretation of "w" as an "ou" sound,
- the interchangeable nature of the letters "b" and "m". (When "b" or "m" are used they are pronounced like the "mb" in the common word "numb")
- the main vowel sound being "u"
- And the pronunciation of "t" as "tsh"
Sentence composition is also irregular, compared to common, and uses a verb-subject-object structure. However, sections of a sentence can be rearranged with the use of position-conjunctions after each part, such as ‘tu’ indicating a direct object and ‘ank’ indicating subject. Arumenic used this way is typically reserved for poetry, complex literature, and song.
High Arumenic, is spoken by the upper class and any privileged enough to be trained in Semhu. It is an elaboration of Arumenic that includes both subtle gestures and nuanced tones to express deeper meanings than words alone. Amateurs in this style of language, and often children, may employ the above method of rearranging the sentence to match their intended gestures, but a master can take any spoken phrase and add new meaning to it with a seemingly innocuous gesture or change in tone. An outsider may hear an idea completely contrary to what the speaker is actually saying. It is also a treacherous style of speaking as it is difficult to pin a practitioner to a particular meaning.
Casual Uses of Multiple Arms
The use of hands in conversation and casual interactions, while integral to High Arumenic, is often employed in traditional Arumenic as well. For example, a simple handshake can convey commentary on the recipient’s social status. When greeting one of an equal class, each Eypharian will clasp one of their middle-set hands. When greeting one of lower, or perceived as lower, class, an Eypharian may subtly indicate their perception by offering instead a middle or lower hand to clasp in greeting. When greeting one of a higher class, and wishing to impress by showing proper deference, an Eypharian may offer one of their top-set hands in greeting.
When dining or performing any type of public act that only employs two arms, Eypharians will typically use only the upper or middle set of arms, and have any lower sets folded in their lap. This avoids the appearance of ‘flailing’ and needed to mindlessly employ an upper set of arms in order to give better range of motion to a lower set. When in private or while in some type of industry, the use of hands if up to personal preference. Upper classes will often use four arms while eating, leading to elaborate table settings and more room to move surrounding each person. Lower classes, especially if they cannot afford such table settings, typically stick to the highest set of hands.
However, despite having multiple arms, Eypharians are not perfect multi-taskers. As it is difficult for even two-armed beings to learn to do completely different things with different hands, such as simultaneously patting heads and rubbing stomachs, being truly ambidextrous is an ability that must be practiced and gotten used to. It is a common ability for Eypharians to put their minds to, but it is not automatic.
Names
Eypharian first names tend to favor the use of the letters "T", "K", "H", "A", "S" and "R" and frequently end in vowels sounds. These rules are not absolute, though. Names are often a reflection of parents' estimation or aspirations for their child. Many Eypharian spend their lives living up to or overcoming their titles.
Last names are not indications of family, as they are for other races. They are preceded by "re" and originally stemmed from names for the great river and its branches or the city in which one was born. Since the river and most the cities are gone, Eypharians maintain the names of their ancestors, regardless of where they were personally born. Current names are drawn from the four old cities (Ahnatep, Menehat, Naphu and Bisret) as the river families died out amidst the Valterrian.
However, last names involving the city of birth are only used in formal or legal proceedings. It is far more common for an Eypharian to identify himself by title or profession. Khafre re Bisret would usually introduce himself merely as Khafre, Khafre the Jeweler or, if titled, Khafre of the Eastwinds.
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