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Umlaut

From:Balazs Sudar <conlang@...>
Date:Wednesday, August 21, 2002, 15:39
Hi all!

I had the idea to do some umlaut-changes in plural for my language, but I don't
know I was right or not. So I'd like you to write me your opinion about it.

It works a little bit like in the Sindarin of Tolkien:

The plural ending is -i, so this is an i-umlaut, vowels move towards i (that
cannot affect i). Vowels in the final syllable change a little, others more:

Vowel I:
No change, it is totally i.

Vowel E:
When in final position, change: e > i, long e > ei. When not, then both short and
long remain the same.

Vowel A:
When in final position, it changes a > ai, long a > ae. Anywhere else: a > e, long a > long e

Vowel O:
When in final position, the change is: o > /oi/ > ai /> ö/ ('oi' being an archaic
form, 'ö' appears only in the northern dialect), long o > long ai. Anywhere
else: o > e, long o > long e

Vowel U:
When final: u > ui /> y/ (y is dialect), long u > long ui. Anywhere else: u remains, long u > uo

The latter 2 differ from the others, because they 2 change more when standing in
final position, the others change more when not. Is it OK so?

For dyphtongs, I have no concept. Maybe they would change only in final position.
Or just: ai, ae > long e; ei > long i. Or no change at all... Any idea?
--
I lúme vin deí asi mosted!
May Heaven give you its grace!

Balazs Sudar <conlang@...>

Reply

Thomas R. Wier <trwier@...>