Magian

Magian
魔言 Maigen
Pronunciation	/maɪɡɛn/
Native to	Magia Regnum
Native speakers	TBA (2020)
Language family	Magian
Official status
Official language in	Magia Regnum
Language codes
ISO 639-3	–

Magian, also known as "魔言" (pronounced "Maigen"), is a language originating from the Magian people and is the official language of Magia Regnum.

Phonetics

The vowels of Standard Magian on a vowel chart.

	Front	Central	Back
Close	i		ɯ
Mid	e		o
Open		a

Magian has five vowels, and vowel length vowel length is phonemic as it corresponds to the visual representation of Ensoji and Mojisai characters. Long vowels are indicated using specific diacritical marks or repetition of the vowel character within the Ensoji script. Mojisai characters may modify the visual representation of vowels to signify elongation. Magian's phonetics and pronunciation are intertwined with its writing system. The visual cues provided by Ensoji and Mojisai characters contribute to the overall aesthetic and functional aspects of the language. The pronunciation of Magian may exhibit slight variations depending on the speaker's interpretation and the specific phonetic rules established within the construction of the language.

Consonants

	Bilabial	Alveolar	Alveolo- palatal	Palatal	Velar	Uvular	Glottal
Nasal	m	n	(ɲ)		(ŋ)	(ɴ)
Stop	p  b	t  d			k  ɡ
Affricate		(t͡s)  (d͡z)	(t͡ɕ)  (d͡ʑ)
Fricative	(ɸ)	s  z	(ɕ)  (ʑ)	(ç)			h
Liquid		r
Semivowel				j	w
Special moras	/N/, /Q/

Grammar and Syntax

Inflection and conjugation

Inflection and conjugation are fundamental elements of Magian's morphology, allowing for the modification of nouns, adjectives, and verbs to convey grammatical information. In Magian, nouns undergo inflection to indicate possession, plurality, and case. The particle "no" is used to denote possession, linking the possessor and the possessed object. Plurality can be expressed through the addition of specific suffixes or modifications to the noun itself. Furthermore, nouns can take on different cases, such as nominative, accusative, genitive, or dative, through modifications or the use of additional particles. This inflectional flexibility in Magian nouns enables speakers to precisely indicate relationships and grammatical functions within sentences.

Adjectives in Magian also undergo inflection to express comparative and superlative forms. Through the addition of specific suffixes or particles, speakers can compare and rank qualities, allowing for the distinction between degrees of comparison. This inflectional feature enhances the descriptive capabilities of adjectives in Magian, enabling speakers to convey nuances in the intensity or magnitude of certain attributes. The ability to modify adjectives in this way facilitates precise expression and provides a means to articulate shades of meaning in a nuanced manner. Magian verbs, like nouns and adjectives, are subject to conjugation, a process that modifies the verb form to convey tense, aspect, mood, and honorifics. Verb conjugation in Magian is particularly crucial for indicating the temporal context of an action. By changing vowel sounds, adding suffixes, or altering the ending consonants, speakers can accurately convey whether an action took place in the past, is happening in the present, or will occur in the future. Additionally, aspectual distinctions, such as ongoing or completed actions, can be expressed through verb conjugation, adding depth and clarity to the temporal aspect of the language.

Moreover, verbs in Magian can be conjugated to express various moods, allowing speakers to convey different attitudes and intentions. The indicative mood is used to state facts or make assertions, the imperative mood for giving commands or making requests, the conditional mood for expressing hypothetical situations, and the subjunctive mood for conveying desires, hopes, or doubts. These conjugation patterns enhance the expressive capabilities of Magian verbs, enabling speakers to accurately convey their intended messages and communicate with precision. Furthermore, Magian verb conjugation also incorporates honorific forms, which are used to express politeness or deference when addressing superiors, elders, or individuals deserving respect. By employing specific conjugation forms and honorific expressions, speakers can navigate social hierarchies and communicate in a manner appropriate to the context and cultural norms.

Sentence Structure

Magian sentences often contain additional information before or after the core sentence, allowing for descriptive or explanatory elements to be inserted. Relative clauses and subordinate clauses are frequently used to provide more details and context to the main sentence. In Magian, the subject of a sentence is typically placed before the object, followed by the verb at the end. This structure allows for a clear identification of the subject and the object, providing a foundation for conveying the action or state described by the verb. The SOV word order contributes to the overall rhythm and flow of Magian sentences.

Magian sentences often incorporate additional information before or after the core sentence, allowing for descriptive or explanatory elements to be inserted. These additional elements provide context and further detail, enhancing the overall meaning of the sentence. Relative clauses, subordinate clauses, and phrases can be seamlessly integrated into the sentence structure to provide additional information about time, location, manner, or purpose. Relative clauses are commonly used in Magian to modify nouns and provide descriptive information. These clauses introduce details or qualifications about the noun they modify, allowing for more precise and detailed descriptions. Relative clauses are typically introduced by particles or specific constructions, serving as essential components of Magian sentence structure.

Subordinate clauses play a significant role in Magian sentences, allowing speakers to express relationships, conditions, or reasons. These clauses are typically connected to the main clause through conjunctions or subordinate particles, providing additional information or expressing dependent ideas. Subordinate clauses enable speakers to convey complex thoughts and express various levels of subordination within a sentence. Magian sentence structure also permits the inclusion of phrases and adverbial expressions. These elements can modify the verb, providing information about time, location, frequency, manner, or purpose. Phrases and adverbial expressions contribute to the overall coherence and specificity of the sentence, adding depth and nuance to the conveyed meaning. Emphasis and focus within Magian sentences can be achieved through word order, intonation, or the use of specific particles. By strategically placing certain words or using particles like "wa" or "mo," speakers can draw attention to specific elements or topics within the sentence, creating a desired emphasis or contrast.

Politeness

Politeness holds a significant place within Magian communication, reflecting the cultural values of respect and deference. Magian incorporates various linguistic features and honorific expressions to convey politeness in interactions. Politeness is demonstrated through the use of honorific verbs, polite expressions, respectful pronouns, polite particles, and formal speech. These elements contribute to maintaining harmonious social relationships and upholding cultural norms. Let's explore some key aspects of politeness in Magian. Honorific verbs play a vital role in Magian's politeness system. These verbs are used to address and refer to individuals of higher status, elders, or those deserving respect. Honorific verbs have unique conjugations, often featuring specific suffixes or modifications. By employing honorific verb forms, speakers convey deference and show proper respect towards those they interact with.

Polite expressions, known as keigo, are an integral part of Magian politeness. These expressions involve the use of specific vocabulary, honorific prefixes or suffixes, and polite speech patterns. By using keigo, speakers demonstrate their understanding of social hierarchies and convey respect in various social situations. Polite expressions contribute to creating a courteous and harmonious environment during conversations. Magian offers specific pronouns that reflect politeness and respect. These pronouns are used when addressing someone of higher status or showing deference. They differ from standard pronouns in their form and usage, serving as markers of polite and respectful language. Pronouns play a crucial role in establishing the appropriate tone and level of politeness in Magian communication. Certain particles in Magian carry polite connotations and are used to show deference or formality. For example, the particle "san" can be added to someone's name or title to show respect, similar to honorifics like "Mr." or "Ms." in English. Other particles and honorific expressions may also be used to convey politeness and maintain a courteous tone in communication. These particles contribute to the overall politeness level of the language.

Magian has a formal speech style that is typically used in official or ceremonial settings. This style involves elevated language, specific honorific forms, and rigid speech patterns. Formal speech conveys a high level of respect and is commonly used in formal occasions, public speaking, or when addressing individuals of significant authority. Adhering to the formal speech style demonstrates respect and acknowledges the importance of the situation or the status of the interlocutors.

Writing System

The writing system of Magian combines logographic characters, resembling Kanji, with elements of syllabaries akin to Hiragana and Katakana. These written symbols, collectively called "Ensoji," are used to represent both individual words and grammatical elements. The strokes and arrangement of Ensoji often convey meaning beyond mere phonetic representation, allowing for nuanced expression. Ensoji are logographic characters that possess both phonetic and semantic qualities. Each character represents a morpheme or a combination of morphemes, capturing meaning and sound simultaneously. The strokes and arrangement of Ensoji are carefully crafted to convey additional layers of meaning beyond mere phonetic representation, enabling nuanced expression within the language.

Similar to Kanji, Ensoji can be intricate and intricate, embodying a balance of elegance and functionality. The characters are traditionally written with a brush or pen, emphasizing the artistic nature of their creation. However, modern adaptations of Magian may also utilize digital fonts and printing methods to facilitate wider usage and dissemination. Ensoji characters can be classified into various categories based on their semantic and phonetic components. Some characters directly represent specific words or concepts, while others function as radicals or phonetic components that contribute to the pronunciation of a character. This interplay of meaning and sound allows for a rich and multifaceted writing system.

While the precise number of Ensoji characters can vary, a standard set typically comprises several thousand characters. Mastering the Ensoji writing system requires extensive study and practice to acquire both the visual recognition of characters and the understanding of their associated meanings and readings. In addition to Ensoji, Magian also employs smaller, more simplified characters derived from the logographic system. These characters, collectively known as "Mojisai," are reminiscent of simplified forms of Kanji. Mojisai are often used for faster and more informal writing, such as personal notes or casual communication.