The Lyndri language relies on subtly, body language and tone to truly convey it's meaning.
- Phonetic Style: The language uses soft consonants (like L, N, R, V), subtle fricatives (like S, Z, Sh), and occasionally harsher stops (like K, T) for emphasis. Vowels are pronounced clearly, often in diphthongs or elongated sounds to create a melodious and flowing cadence. The apostrophes (') suggest glottal stops or brief pauses that add a rhythmic quality to the speech.
- Syntax: Generally subject-verb-object order, but often flexible depending on emphasis and nuance. Lyndri language relies heavily on implied meaning and tone, with non-verbal cues playing a crucial role in communication. The use of suffixes and prefixes to convey subtle emotional or social nuances is common. Often words flow one into the next without a clear delineation or pause between them.
- Prefixes and Suffixes: Typically, any word can be used as a prefix or a suffix, though it might have some letters dropped and replaced with an apostrophe ('). However, some 'words' are only ever used as a prefix or suffix.
- Vocabulary: The vocabulary includes many words related to nature, the senses, and emotion, reflecting their semi-arboreal origins and their ability to read emotions and subtle cues.
- Pronunciation: Words are spoken with a smooth, flowing rhythm, and the glottal stops marked by apostrophes introduce a momentary pause, adding subtle emphasis or breaking the flow to highlight specific meanings.
- Stress: Typically falls on the first syllable after a glottal stop or on diphthongs, creating a natural rise and fall that mirrors the grace and fluidity of the Lyndri's movements and speech patterns.
- Aesthetics: The language should feel inviting and rhythmic, with a sense of mystery and allure, mirroring the Lyndri's natural charisma and empathetic abilities.
- A (ah): prefix, transforms a suffix into a standalone root word
- Al (ahl): "presence", "foundation", or if referring to a person, "master"
- Ael (ail): prefix, meaning "living" or "growing"
- Ayir (ah-YEER): "seed", "begining", "origin"
- Byl (beel): "truth"
- Cean (see-AHN): suffix, reenforcing the root word, implying the thing is defined by this trait
- Cir (seer): "steadfast", "unyeilding"
- Da (Dah): "familial ties"
- Dri (dree): suffix, implying a sense of "universal", or "all"
- El (el): suffix, implying "little", "young", "cute", or "endearing"
- Elyr (el-eer): "light", "brilliance", "distant beauty"
- Erani (ee-rahn-ee): "hope", "joy"
- Esh (esh): suffix, the negates or inverses the meaning of the root word, i.e. "not" or "without"
- Eta (EH-tah): "grand", "large"
- Ethar (ETH-ar): "evening", "time"
- Fal (fahl): "mistake" or "error"
- Ios (ee-OHS): suffix, implying "diminutive" or "little"
- Ji (jee): prefix, meaing "celestial" or "angelic"
- K (kh): suffix, modifies the root word to make it harsher or imply contempt for the word
- Kahl (kahl): "stone", "rock"
- Kreth (kreth): "origin", "foundation"
- La (lah): prefix meaning "something flowing" or "fluid"
- Lhaen (LAY-en): "grass"
- Loch (lokh): "bad" or "undesirable"
- Lyn (lin): "guide", "to lead", "to rule"
- Ly (lee)" suffix, a possessive marker, like "of"
- Myr (meer): "bond", "connection."
- My (mee): "essence", "soul"
- Na (nah): "your", "yours"
- Nai (nay): "intelligence" or "cleverness"
- Nor (nor): "us", "our"
- Nyth (neeth): "expanse"
- Qi (kee): "malevolent", "evil"
- Ra (rah): suffix, meaning "great", "huge", or "awesome"; considered overly poetic
- Raan (rahn): "freedom", "flight", "wings"
- Rael (rah-EHL): "protector", "guardian"
- Rai (rai): suffix, implying a profound feeling or meaning
- Ri (ree): suffix meaning "light" or "radiance"; considered overly poetic
- Reth (reth): suffix, indicating "home" or "place"
- Rth (rth): suffix, indicating an act or exchange
- Ryn (rin): suffix, indicating "lesser" or "subordinate"
- Ruhsh (roosh): "pride", or "lineage"
- Sa (sah): suffix, implying "gentleness", "warmth" or "subtlety"
- Sai (sai): "heart", "spirit"
- Sev (sehv): "shadow" or "dusk"
- Shaan (shahn): "place", "home"
- Shae (shay): "intimacy", "closeness"
- Shara (shah-RAH): "open space", "emptiness"
- Shiel (shee-EL): "life", "vitality" (or often "blood")
- Shyn (sheen): "sky" (or in a more modern use, "space")
- Shy (shy): suffix, implying comparison, such as "like" or "as"
- Sii (see): "strength", "will"
- Sy (see): variation on "Sii"
- Syra (SEE-rah): "reaching", "extending"
- Syv (sihv): prefix, meaning "evil", "unholy"
- Tel (tell): "to give", "to offer"
- Tchik (chik): "death", "talon"
- Tchak (chahk): "fuck", "damn"
- Thal (thal): "world", "sphere"
- Thir (theer): suffix, meaning "flat"
- Thyn (thin): "high", "rising" (often a prefix)
- Til (teel): prefix meaning "swift" or "graceful"
- Tir (teer): "way", "path"
- Ty (tee): "vision", "focus"
- Vahri (VAH-ree): "travel" or "journey"
- Vel (vehl): "yearning", "drawn to"
- Vek (vek): "untruthful", "liar"
- Vri (vree): "speak", "utter"
- Vhyrel (VEE-rehl): "wind"
- Vy (vee): prefix, indicating "safe" or "familiar"
- Zel (zehl): "should," "ought to", "must"
- Zy (zai): "ancient", "eternal"
- aelsyra - "forest"
- Al'sev'tir - [Admiral McKenzie's][] name among Lyndri (literally, "Master of the Shadow Path")
- Al'Etalyn'Rael - "Master of the Queen's Guard", title given to the captain of the queen's personal guard, commander of all the Etalyn'Rael.
- ayirbyl - "science" (literally "seed of truth")
- dalyn - "mother" (literally "family ruler")
- daryn - "father" (literally "family subordinate")
- daly'el - "sister" (literally "little family ruler", or "little mother")
- dalyl - "sister"; shorten form, more common in moder usage
- dalyl'esh - "brother" (literally, "not sister") more of a colloquialism among lesser educated
- dary'el - "brother" (literally "little family subordinate" or "little father")
- daryl - "brother"; shorten form, almost never used among modern Lyndri
- el'cean - "runt", used to describe the smallest of a family (literally, "little one")
- Note: Othen used in jest or teasingly, can be an insult rather easily.
- Etalyn - "queen", the official title of the Lyndri monarch
- Note: This isn't used anymore, as they no longer have queens. But it's considered historical.
- Etalyn'rael - "Queen's Guard", the official title of the tradtitional protectors of the queen.
- Note: Also considered archaeic usage, see "Rynlyn'Rael".
- el'lyn - "princess"
- la’shiel - "ocean", but also, "bloodshed", (literally, "flowing vitality/life")
- lhaen'shara - "meadow"
- lhaen'thir - "field of grass"
- lochk - "shit", "waste" or "filth"
- Lyndri - race name, "Guides to Everyone", or "Rulers of All"
- lyn'tchiksa - assassin (literally "Guides of the subtle death")
- kahlra - "mountain"
- kahlthir - "plateau"
- myly - "mine", "me", "I" (literally, "essence of")
- myrai - "love" (literally "profound essence"); closer to "true love" than simple affection
- myr'sai - "soul mate"
- myrsa - "affection", "platonic love"
- myrtir - "slave" (literally "bound path")
- myrtir'sai - "slave of love" (literally "bound to the way of the heart"); phrase used in the same spirit of "you poor dumb bastard" when referring to romantic situations.
- naidri'eth - "against all odds", "but some how" (literally "not all intelligence")
- nai'rth - "opinion" (literally "exchange of intelligence")
- Nyth’ra - "The Universe" (literally, "Great Expanse")
- Rynlyn - "King", title given to the current rulers of the Lyndri people.
- Rynlyn'rael - "King's Guard", a title given to elite guard of the Lyndri monarchy. Considered highly skilled combatants.
- shaerth - "sex", "make love" (literally "act of intimacy")
- Shara'tel - "prostitute" (literally "Open Offering" or "Empty Giving")
- Shara'shaan - "brothel" (literally "House of Openness" or "Place of Emptiness")
- shyn'kahl - common phrase that means 'idiot' or 'airhead' (literally, 'sky stone')
- sy'vel - "desire", "longing"
- Syv'Qi - "devil", "demon"
- tchiksa - "assasination" (literally "subtle death")
- thalreth - "homeworld"
- Tir’lyn - the name given the idea of how to be a 'proper' Lyndri; basically, "society"
- Thyn'kahl - famous mountain range
- vahri'shyn - "starship"
- Vy'shaan - "familial home", "my home", or just "safe house"
- Vy'shara - "Welcome", (literallt, "safe openess")
- Vy'kreth - ancient lyndri name for their homeworld
- zylyn - "goddess" (literally, "eternal ruller")
- Zy’ruhsh - ancient lyndri name of one of the oldest, most powerful Lyndri Prides
Here are some useful phrases in Lyndri.
TODO: Write some.
Here are some Lyndri insults that align with their cultural and linguistic style, blending subtlety, metaphor, and a touch of poetic flair to convey disdain or disapproval.
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"El'cean." (el-see-AHN): "runt", "midget", "little guy"
- Literal Translation: "one who is defined by being little."
- Interpretation: While often taken in jest or teasing by one's family or close friends, there is an always negative connation to being too small; the implication is that you're weak and easier to be carried off by a predator. In modern parlance, being short is often associated with helplessness.
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"Fal'shaan." (fahl-shahn): "white trash", "redneck", "yokel"
- Literal Translation: "House of Mistakes."
- Interpretation: A derogatory way of saying someone comes from a family or group that is full of failures or mistakes. It's an insult to both the individual and their origins, suggesting they are inherently flawed or cursed with bad luck and poor decisions.
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"Lhaen'tir vek." (LAY-en-teer vek): "snake oil salesman", "charlatan"
- Literal Translation: "Grass path liar."
- Interpretation: Used to accuse someone of being deceptive and untrustworthy, likening them to a hidden or misleading path through tall grass. It implies that they are sneaky, deceitful, and cannot be trusted.
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"Lyn'syv." (lin-sihv): "dictator", "tyrant"
- Literal Translation: "Evil Guide.", "Unholy ruler."
- Interpretation: This insult implies that someone who should be a guide or leader is instead leading others astray or toward malevolence, suggesting they are corrupt, treacherous, or morally bankrupt.
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"Qi'loch." (kee-lokh): "asshole", "fuck up", "bungling idiot"
- Literal Translation: "Devil's Mistake."
- Interpretation: A strong insult suggesting someone is not only malevolent but also incompetent or an accident, essentially calling them an evil fool or a bungling troublemaker.
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"Sev'kreth." (sehv-kreth): "disapointment", "dishonerable", "shameful"
- Literal Translation: "Dusk of the foundation"
- Interpretation: This is a poetic way of calling someone a disgrace or a stain on their ancestry, suggesting they are the darkest part of their family or origin. It implies that they bring shame or are unworthy of their lineage.
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"Shyn'tchik'eth." (sheen-chik-eth): "empty threat", "braggart", "blowhard"
- Literal Translation: "Not sky death."
- Interpretation: A derogatory term implying someone who talks a lot or makes threats but has no real substance or ability to follow through. It can also mean someone is foolishly aggressive or reckless without the capability to back it up.
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"Tel'Nai'rth Zylyn'ly'loch" (tell-nay-rth zai-lin-lee-lok): "Take your opinion, and shove it up your ass."
- Literal Translation: "Give your opinion to the Eternal Ruler of Filth"
- Interpretation: This is a very dismissal of a person's opinion, seen as incredibly vulgar among Lyndri. (It would not be difficult to start a fight with this phrase.)
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"Vel'esh'ryn." (vehl-esh-rin): "unworthy of desire", "repulsive"
- Literal Translation: "Without yearning, lesser one."
- Interpretation: Someone is so undesirable or lacking in worth that they are not even worth longing for. It plays on the Lyndri's cultural appreciation of desirability and connection, essentially calling someone worthless or insignificant.
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Vri'eth (vree-eth): "shut up"
- Literal Translation: "Not speak"
- Interpretation: This is a dismisally of a person's words as well as a command not to continue speaking. It can be made harsher as "Vri'eth'k", which would be more closely translated as "shut the fuck up."
- "Tchak" (chahk): "fuck"
- Interpretation: An exclamation of frustration or extreme dismissal.
- Usage:
- "Tchak'ethar!" (chahk-ETH-ar): "Fuck it!"
- Literal Translation: "Fuck, it's evening!"
- Interpretation: Implies that you are now out of time, so whatever you were going to do no longer matters. (Ancient Lyndri hunted at sundown, so it still seen as the time to 'do real work' at least where their language is concerned.)
- "Tchak na'vel." (chahk nah-vehl): "Fuck you."
- Literal Translation: "Fuck your yearning."
- Interpretation: A complete and total rejection of the person as well as implying they're unworthy of reproducing with.
- "Qi'shy tchak!" (kee-shee chahk): "Fuck that."
- Literal Translation: "Evil as fuck!"
- Interpretation: An intense disdain or condemnation, often referring to something in particular.
- "Tchak'ly nai'eth." (chahk-lee nah-ETH): "Fucking stupid."
- Literal Translation: "Fuck of not intelligence."
- Interpretation: A strong disagreement, or insulting someone's intelligence. (This form is more general and therefore mild; to really put a point on it, you'd say: "Tchack'k'ly na'nai'eth.", "Fuck, you're stupid.")
- "Lochk" (lok): "shit," "waste," or "filth."
- Literal Translation: "Very undesirable."
- Interpretation: Used as an exclamation when something goes wrong or is unpleasant.
- Usage Examples
- "Lochk'shaan." (lok-shahn): "Shithole"
- Literal Translation: "Shit place."
- Interpretation: Used to describe somewhere undesirable or dirty.
- "Qi'lochk." (kee-lok): "Shit stain"
- Literal Translation: "Evil shit."
- Interpretation: Insulting someone as both malicious and worthless. Like calling them a 'shitty person'.
- "Syvlyn'vek" (sihv-lin-VEK): "bitch", "lying bitch"
- Literal Translation: "Evil one who rules with lies"
- Interpretation: An expression fo anger and dilike for a person, in particular, a woman. (This is stronger than the english "bitch", in that it implies they deserve your disdain.
- Usage Examples
- "Vri'eth Syvlyn'vek" (vree-eth sihv-lin-VEK): "Shut up, bitch."
- Literal Translation: "Not speak, evil one who rules with lies."
- Interpretation: Used to tell someone to stop speaking and insult them at the same time. There's often an implication that they're not worthy to keep speaking.
- "Syra'lai shael lynethar." (SEE-rah-lai SHAY-el lin-ETH-ar): "This has been a very productive evening."
- Literal Translation: "Reaching has been a fruitful time."
- "Raan'tir ly'Sev." (RAHN-teer lee-sehv): "Get out of my sight."
- Literal Translation: "Take flight on your path away from my shadow."
- "Shae dalyl'my, sy'tchik vel'na." (shay DAH-lil-mee, see-chik vehl-nah): "Touch my sister, and I'll remove your ability to reproduce."
- Literal Translation: "Intimacy sister essence, death takes your yearning."
- "Shyn'kahl tchak, naidri'eth myly myrai." (sheen-kahl chahk, nai-dree-eth mee-lee mee-rai): "You're a fucking idiot, but somehow I still love you."
- Literal Translation: "Sky-stone fuck, not all intelligence essance of love."
- "Vy'shaara'shaan, tel'sii dai?" (vee-SHAH-rah-shahn, tel-see dai): "Welcome to our brothel, how may I help you?"
- Literal Translation: "Safe house of openness, how may I offer my strength?"
- "Ethar'ly Lyndri arth'esh, Nyth'ra zel sy'tchik nor." (ETH-ar-lee LIN-dree ah-rth-esh, neeth-rah zehl see-chik nor): "The time of the Lyndri is over, the universe should just let us die."
- Literal Translation: "The evening of the Lyndri is not, the great expanse must allow to die, us."