Seneran

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Overview

Modern Seneran evolved primarily from Kalassarian, with substantial borrowings from the Hick language, particularly in maritime terminology and place names.

Historical Development

Sound Changes

Early Seneran (400-500 AI)

1. Final Syllable Changes
   • Unstressed vowels → schwa
     • [in.nes.bel] → [in.nes.bəl]
   • Cluster simplification begins
     • [sb] → [sp] / _#

Middle Seneran (500-1000 AI)

1. Kalassarian Adaptations
   • -ata → -ey/-ay
     • Surrata → Surrey
   • -onum → -on/-ton
   • -urrium → -ury/-bury

Modern Seneran (1000+ AI)

1. Final Changes
   • Word-final schwa deletion
   • Final cluster simplification
     • [in.nes.bəl] → [in.spell]
   • Hydronym -s preservation
     • bramas → brams

Phonology

Consonant Inventory

Manner	Labial	Dental	Alveolar	Post-alv	Palatal	Velar	Glottal
Stops	p b		t d			k g	ʔ
Fricatives	f v	θ ð	s z	ʃ ʒ			h
Affricates				tʃ dʒ
Nasals	m		n			ŋ
Liquids			l r
Glides	w				j

Notes:

• /ʔ/ is allophonic, either word-initially or as optional vowel hiatus
• /θ ð/ mainly in formal/administrative terms from Kalassarian
• /ʃ ʒ/ developed from palatalization of Late Hick clusters
• /tʃ dʒ/ from Kalassarian palatalized stops
• /ŋ/ occurs independently word-finally unlike Late Hick

Vowel Inventory (The Great Seneran Shift)

Monophthongs

Height	Front	Central	Back
High	i [i]		u [u]
High-Mid	ɪ [ɪ]		ʊ [ʊ]
Mid	e [eɪ]	ə [ə]	o [oʊ]
Low-Mid	ɛ [ɛ]	ʌ [ʌ]	ɔ [ɔ]
Low	æ [æ]	a [ɑ]	ɒ [ɒ]

Diphthongs

• /aɪ/ (from Late Hick /i:/)
• /aʊ/ (from Late Hick /u:/)
• /eɪ/ (from Late Hick /a:/)
• /oʊ/ (from Late Hick /o:/)
• /ɔɪ/ (from Kalassarian /oi/)

The Great Seneran Vowel Shift

1. Early Changes (500-700 AI)
   • Late Hick /i:/ → /əi/ → /aɪ/
   • Late Hick /u:/ → /əu/ → /aʊ/
   • Late Hick /e:/ → /i

Morphology

Compound Formation

Spatial Deictics

Primary System (General Use)

hir [hiːr]

"here" (< Iut. *hēr)

General proximal reference

tair [teɪr]

"there" (< Iut. *þār)

General distal reference

Technical Precision System

is [ɪs]

"this exact point" (< Hick istel)

Precise location marking

eth [eθ]

"that reference point" (< Hick ethtel)

Known landmark reference

ut [ʊt]

"far marker" (< Hick umtel)

Distant reference point

Maritime Usage Examples

• "is mal" [ɪs.mal] "this exact mooring point"
• "eth ners" [eθ.nərs] "that known channel narrowing"
• "ut stel" [ʊt.stel] "that distant stern marker"
• "is ter eth" [ɪs.tər.eθ] "from this point to that marker"
• "eth skelward" [eθ.skel.wərd] "that established shipping lane"

Harbor Command Examples

• "is-ward!" [ɪs.wərd] "to this exact point!"
• "eth-mal!" [eθ.mal] "to that known berth!"
• "ut-ter!" [ʊt.tər] "toward that distant point!"

Navigation Examples

• "is bram" [ɪs.bram] "this precise tidal point"
• "eth liners" [eθ.lɪ.nərs] "that known hazardous narrowing"
• "ut wickmal" [ʊt.wɪk.mal] "that distant harbor entrance"

Lexicon

Basic Roots

Kalassarian-derived Terms

Hick-derived Terms

Place Name Patterns

Kalassarian Administrative Names

• Surrey (from Kalassarian "Surrata" - "safe harbor/landing")
• Port (from Kalassarian "porta", often translated from "portus")
• Modern "-ton" endings translate Kalassarian "tonum" (settlement)
• Modern "-bury" endings translate Kalassarian "burrium" (fortified place)

Hick Water Feature Survivals

• Brams (river name, from Hick "bram-aes" - "tidal outflow")
• Inespell (gulf name, from Hick "innis-bél" - "island mouth")
• The connecting phrase "-on-the-" translates the Seneran locative case

Common Modern Formations

1. [Kalassarian root]-on-the-[Hick water feature]
   • Surrey-on-the-Brams (Surrata-in-Bramaes)
   • Port Surrey-on-the-Brams (Portus Surrata-in-Bramaes)
2. [Hick element]-[translated geographic term]
   • Bramton (from Seneran "Bramaestonum")
   • Kethbury (from Seneran "Kethburrium")
3. Pure Hick Survivals (usually water features)
   • The Brams (from "Bram-aes")
   • Gulf of Inespell (from "Innis-bél")
   • Thranal Waters (from "Thran-aes")

Creatures

• alsomok [al.so.mok] "Shapeshifter"

Sound Changes

Early Seneran (0-500 AI)

1. Initial Consonant Clusters

   • /θr/ → /r/ before /a/
     • thranaes → ranaes "delta"
     • thramal → ramal "flowing area"
   • /θr/ → /tr/ before /i, e/
     • thrim → trim "through"
     • thrikel → trikel "road network"
   • /θr/ preserved in formal/sacred terms
     • thran-val [θran.val] "thousand-blessing"

2. Vowel Changes

   • /ae/ → /a/ in unstressed syllables
     • bramaes → bramas
   • /i/ → /e/ in compounds
     • innis-bél → innesbel

Middle Seneran (500-1000 AI)

1. Final Syllable Weakening

   • Unstressed vowels → schwa
     • [ra.na.es] → [ra.nə.əs]
     • [in.nes.bel] → [in.nes.bəl]

2. Consonant Cluster Evolution

   • Schwa deletion after liquids before stops
     • [θral.tər] → [θraltr] "sacred peak"
     • [mal.kə] → [malk] "pool-place"
   • Preserved elsewhere
     • [in.nes.bəl] remains [in.nes.bəl]

3. Kalassarian Influence

   • -ata → -ey/-ay
     • Surrata → Surrey
   • -onum → -on/-ton
     • tonum → ton
   • -urrium → -ury/-bury
     • burrium → bury

Modern Seneran (1000+ AI)

1. Final Changes
   • Word-final schwa deletion
     • [ran.ter.gə] → [ran.terg]
     • [ma.lə] → [mal]
   • Final cluster simplification
     • [bra.məs] → [brams]
     • [in.nes.bəl] → [in.spell]

Examples of Complete Evolution

• thrantorgral → Ranterg

  • Early: [θran.tor.gral] → [ran.tor.gal]
  • Middle: [ran.ter.gəl]
  • Modern: [ran.terg]

• innis-bél → Inespell

  • Early: [in.nis.bel] → [in.nes.bel]
  • Middle: [in.nes.bəl]
  • Modern: [in.spell]

Place Name Patterns

Kalassarian Administrative Names

• Surrey (from Kalassarian "Surrata" - "safe harbor/landing")
• Port (from Kalassarian "porta", often translated from "portus")
• Modern "-ton" endings translate Kalassarian "tonum" (settlement)
• Modern "-bury" endings translate Kalassarian "burrium" (fortified place)

Hick Water Feature Survivals

• Brams (river name, from Hick "bram-aes" - "tidal outflow")
• Inespell (gulf name, from Hick "innis-bél" - "island mouth")
• The connecting phrase "-on-the-" translates the Seneran locative case

Common Modern Formations

1. [Kalassarian root]-on-the-[Hick water feature]
   • Surrey-on-the-Brams (Surrata-in-Bramaes)
   • Port Surrey-on-the-Brams (Portus Surrata-in-Bramaes)
2. [Hick element]-[translated geographic term]
   • Bramton (from Seneran "Bramaestonum")
   • Kethbury (from Seneran "Kethburrium")
3. Pure Hick Survivals (usually water features)
   • The Brams (from "Bram-aes")
   • Gulf of Inespell (from "Innis-bél")
   • Thranal Waters (from "Thran-aes")

Maritime Terminology

Hick-derived Terms

• Navigation terms
• Weather patterns
• Tidal terminology
• Traditional fishing vocabulary

Kalassarian-derived Terms

• Administrative vocabulary
• Naval rankings
• Ship classification
• Trade terminology

Modern Influences

Technical Vocabulary

• International trade terms
• Modern naval terminology
• Engineering vocabulary
• Administrative language

Regional Variations

• Coastal dialects (more Hick influence)
• Inland dialects (more Kalassarian preservation)
• Urban/rural distinctions
• Trade port variations

See Also

• Hick Language
• Kalassarian Language
• Seneran Maritime Traditions

Place Name Evolution

Water Features

Brams [brams]

< Early Hick bram-aes "tidal flow"

Middle Hick bramaes

Late Hick bramas

Sound changes: - /ae/ → /a/ in unstressed syllables - Final vowel deletion - Preservation of -s as water feature marker

Inespell [in.spell]

< Early Hick innis-bél "island mouth"

Middle Hick innesbel

Late Hick innesbəl

Sound changes: - /i/ → /e/ in compounds - Unstressed vowel reduction - Consonant cluster /sb/ → /sp/ - Final -l gemination

Coastal Features

Skelwick [skel.wik]

< Middle Hick skel-vik "ship bay"

< Iut. *skip-vik

Sound changes: - /p/ → /k/ (Hick repair) - /v/ → /w/ in final element - Addition of parasitic /w/

Havalbeck [ha.val.bek]

< Middle Hick haval-bek "whale stream"

< Iut. *hval-bekk

Sound changes: - Cluster repair /hv/ → /hav/ - Final geminate simplification - Addition of parasitic /c/

Highland Features

Hegfell [heg.fel]

< Middle Hick heg-fell "high mountain"

< Iut. *høg-fell

Sound changes: - /ø/ → /e/ - Preservation of fell as geographic term

Sterskey [ster.ski]

< Late Hick ster-skog "great forest"

< Iut. *stor-skog

Sound changes: - /o/ → /e/ in first element - /-og/ → /-ey/ in final position

Maritime Terminology Evolution

Harbor/Port Features

wick [wik]

< Late Hick vik < Iut. *vik "bay"

General term for "harbor, port"

mal [mal]

< Early Hick mal "pool"

Specialized: "natural harbor, sheltered cove"

port [pɔrt]

< Kalassarian porta "gate, port"

Official/administrative term for "commercial harbor"

Ship Types

skel [skel]

< Middle Hick skel < Iut. *skip

Generic "large vessel"

skiv [skiv]

< Late Hick skiv < Iut. *skif

Specialized: "small fishing boat"

knar [nar]

< Late Hick knar < Iut. *knarr

Specialized: "merchant vessel"

Ship Parts

kel [kel]

< Middle Hick kel < Iut. *køl

Technical: "keel" (shipbuilding term)

stav [stav]

< Late Hick stav < Iut. *stafn

Technical: "prow, bow"

stel [stel]

< Early Hick stel "stern"

Preserved in traditional fishing terminology

Navigation Terms

ward [ward]

< Middle Hick ward < Iut. *ward

Traditional: "course, direction"

cors [kɔrs]

< Kalassarian cursus

Official/maritime charts: "navigational course"

Specialized Compounds

skelward [skel.ward]

< Middle Hick skelward "shipping lane"

Traditional navigation term

wickmal [wik.mal]

< Late Hick vikmal "harbor pool"

Specialized: "inner harbor, protected anchorage"

portwick [pɔrt.wik]

< Kalassarian porta + Hick vik

Official: "designated commercial harbor"

Administrative Terminology

Port Administration

portor [pɔr.tɔr]

< Kal. portator "harbor master"

Official title for port administrator

custam [kus.tam]

< Kal. customa < Lat. custuma "custom duty"

Maritime tax/duty system

navrig [nav.rig]

< Kal. navrigium < Lat. navigium "shipping registry"

Ship registration office

Maritime Law

marit [ma.rit]

< Kal. maritimus "maritime jurisdiction"

Maritime legal code

littor [li.tɔr]

< Kal. littorale "coastal authority"

Coastal administration district

rippar [ri.par]

< Kal. riparius "riverbank official"

River trade administrator

Trade Officials

mercor [mer.kɔr]

< Kal. mercator "licensed merchant"

Official trade representative

negot [ne.gɔt]

< Kal. negotiator "trade broker"

Licensed middleman

actwar [akt.war]

< Kal. actuarius "record keeper"

Port record official

Administrative Divisions

portric [pɔr.trik]

< Kal. portricum "port district"

Administrative port zone

marric [ma.rik]

< Kal. mariticum "maritime district"

Coastal administrative region

navric [nav.rik]

< Kal. navricum "shipping district"

Naval administrative zone

Hybrid Terms

wickric [wik.rik]

< Hick wick + Kal. -ricum

Harbor district (informal)

portmal [pɔrt.mal]

< Kal. port + Hick mal

Natural harbor under official administration

skelrig [skel.rig]

< Hick skel + Kal. rigium

Ship registration (traditional vessels)

Customs and Tariff Administration

custamor [kus.ta.mɔr]

< Kal. customator "chief customs officer"

Head of port customs

portnar [pɔrt.nar]

< Kal. portionarius "duty assessor"

Officer who assesses cargo value

vectar [vek.tar]

< Kal. vectigalarius "tax collector"

Customs fee collector

Specialized Customs Roles

mernar [mer.nar]

< Kal. mercenarius "goods assessor"

Specialist in valuing foreign goods

signar [sig.nar]

< Kal. signarius "seal officer"

Official who seals inspected cargo

plumbar [plum.bar]

< Kal. plumbarius "lead sealer"

Officer who applies customs seals

Documentation Officials

tablar [tab.lar]

< Kal. tabularius "registry keeper"

Customs records official

scrivar [skri.var]

< Kal. scribarius "customs scribe"

Documentation officer

chartor [tʃar.tɔr]

< Kal. chartator "document master"

Head of customs documentation

Enforcement Roles

custor [kus.tɔr]

< Kal. custodiator "customs guard"

Customs enforcement officer

viglar [vig.lar]

< Kal. vigilarius "watch officer"

Harbor patrol officer

scrutor [skru.tɔr]

< Kal. scrutator "inspector"

Cargo inspection official

Hybrid Administrative Terms

wicknar [wik.nar]

< Hick wick + Kal. -narius

Harbor fee collector

skeltar [skel.tar]

< Hick skel + Kal. -tarius

Ship tax assessor

malvig [mal.vig]

< Hick mal + Kal. vigil

Natural harbor patrol

Naval Ranks and Titles

Senior Command

skelmir [skel.mir]

< Hick skel + Kal. mirus "fleet commander"

Admiral (lit. "ship-master")

navtor [nav.tɔr]

< Kal. navitor "naval commander"

Senior captain (multiple-ship commander)

skeltor [skel.tɔr]

< Hick skel + Kal. -tor

Ship captain (single vessel)

Bridge Officers

wardnar [ward.nar]

< Hick ward + Kal. -narius

Navigation officer (lit. "course-keeper")

stavar [sta.var]

< Late Hick stav (bow) + Kal. -arius

First officer (lit. "bow officer")

stelar [ste.lar]

< Late Hick stel (stern) + Kal. -arius

Second officer (lit. "stern officer")

Specialized Officers

kelnar [kel.nar]

< Hick kel (keel) + Kal. -narius

Ship's carpenter (lit. "keel-keeper")

logvar [log.var]

< Kal. logvarius "record keeper"

Ship's clerk/quartermaster

marnar [mar.nar]

< Kal. marinarius "sea officer"

Watch officer

Petty Officers

skelvig [skel.vig]

< Hick skel + Kal. vigil

Ship's guard/master-at-arms

rovar [ro.var]

< Late Hick row + Kal. -arius

Oar master (galley officer)

seglar [seg.lar]

< Late Hick segl (sail) + Kal. -arius

Sail master

Specialized Crew

kener [ke.ner]

< Middle Hick kener "skilled sailor"

Senior sailor/helmsman

rower [ro.wer]

< Late Hick row + -er

Professional oarsman

segling [seg.liŋ]

< Late Hick segl + -ing

Apprentice sailor

Fossilized Directional Terms

From Early Hick Directional Affixes

upner [ʌp.nər]

< Early Hick up-ner "upward-going"

Modern: "uphill, ascending" (fossilized from up- + -ner)

donner [dɒ.nər]

< Early Hick don-ner "downward-going"

Modern: "downhill, descending" (fossilized from don- + -ner)

Maritime Directionals

utward [ʌt.wərd]

< Early Hick ut-ward "outward-motion"

Modern: "seaward" (from ut- "out" + -ward)

inward [ɪn.wərd]

< Early Hick in-ward "inward-motion"

Modern: "landward" (from in- + -ward)

Compound Directionals

utner [ʌt.nər]

< Early Hick ut-ner "outward-going"

Specialized: "heading to sea" (nautical term)

inner [ɪ.nər]

< Early Hick in-ner "inward-going"

Specialized: "heading to port" (nautical term)

Tide-Related Directionals

brammer [bræ.mər]

< Early Hick bram-mer "tide-following"

Modern: "downstream" (from bram- + -mer "moving with")

malmer [mæl.mər]

< Early Hick mal-mer "pool-moving"

Modern: "upstream" (from mal- + -mer)

Early Hick Directional Affixes

Prefixes:

• ut- "out-"
• in- "in-"
• up- "up-"
• don- "down-"
• for- "forward-"
• bak- "back-"

Suffixes:

• -ner "going/moving"
• -mer "moving with"
• -ward "direction toward"
• -ling "along/alongside"

Modern Analytical Equivalents

• "going up" [ˈgoʊ.ɪŋ ʌp] (but "upner" preserved in nautical contexts)
• "moving out" [ˈmuv.ɪŋ aʊt] (but "utner" in maritime jargon)
• "with the tide" [wɪθ ðə taɪd] (but "brammer" in traditional usage)

Modern Analytical Markers

Locative Prepositions

ter [tɛr]

< Early Hick ter "flow, movement"

Modern: "to, towards" (directional)

bel [bɛl]

< Early Hick bel "mouth, opening"

Modern: "into, inside" (containment)

mal [mæl]

< Early Hick mal "pool, collection"

Modern: "at, in" (location)

tor [tɔr]

< Early Hick tor "height, peak"

Modern: "on, upon" (surface contact)

Temporal Markers

thral [θræl]

< Early Hick thral "day, daylight"

Modern: "during, while" (temporal)

mur [mʊr]

< Early Hick mur "night, darkness"

Modern: "after, following" (sequence)

Article-like Markers

val [væl]

< Early Hick val "spirit, essence"

Modern: definite marker "the" (known/sacred)

ka [kə]

< Early Hick ka- "like, similar"

Modern: indefinite marker "a" (general)

Possession/Relation Markers

mer [mɛr]

< Early Hick mer "moving with"

Modern: "of, belonging to" (possession)

ner [nɛr]

< Early Hick ner "going/moving"

Modern: "with, along with" (accompaniment)

Imperative/Modal Markers

thren [θrɛn]

< Early Hick thren "watch, overlook"

Modern: "must, should" (obligation)

ward [wɔrd]

< Early Hick ward "path, way"

Modern: "can, may" (possibility)

Examples in Use

• val skip ter mal "the ship to port" (directional)
• ka nes mer bram "a fish of the tide" (possession)
• thral val bram "during the tide" (temporal)
• thren ter val tor "must go to the mountain" (obligation)

Seneran Surnames by Origin

Early Hick-derived Names

1. Water/Maritime:

• Brammer [bræ.mər] "tide-follower" < bram-mer
• Malward [mæl.wərd] "pool-keeper" < mal-ward
• Thranmer [θræn.mər] "water-watcher" < thran-mer
• Mirling [mɪr.lɪŋ] "cold-water dweller" < mir-ling
• Bramwick [bræm.wɪk] "tide-bay dweller" < bram-vik
• Thirmal [θɪr.məl] "warm-pool keeper" < thir-mal

2. Sacred/Ritual:

• Thrallor [θræ.lər] "day-keeper" < thral-lor
• Thralvig [θræl.vɪg] "sacred watcher" < thral-vig
• Valmer [væl.mər] "spirit-keeper" < val-mer
• Threnwerd [θren.wərd] "watch-ward" < thren-ward
• Thralson [θræl.sən] "sacred one's son" < thral-sun
• Valward [væl.wərd] "spirit guardian" < val-ward

3. Geographic:

• Torling [tɔr.lɪŋ] "peak-dweller" < tor-ling
• Wudward [wʊd.wərd] "forest-keeper" < wud-ward
• Malton [mæl.tən] "pool-town" < mal-ton
• Beckmer [bek.mər] "stream-keeper" < bek-mer
• Torward [tɔr.wərd] "peak guardian" < tor-ward
• Wudling [wʊd.lɪŋ] "forest dweller" < wud-ling

Middle Hick/Iutlandish-influenced Names

1. Maritime:

• Skelward [skel.wərd] "ship-keeper" < skel-ward
• Knarman [knɑr.mən] "merchant sailor" < knarr-man
• Stavner [stæv.nər] "bow-keeper" < stav-ner
• Wickmer [wɪk.mər] "harbor-keeper" < wick-mer
• Selward [sel.wərd] "seal hunter" < sel-ward
• Havelman [hæ.vəl.mən] "ocean man" < hafel-man
• Skelmer [skel.mər] "ship keeper" < skel-mer
• Wickson [wɪk.sən] "harbor son" < wick-sun

2. Crafts/Trade:

• Smedling [smed.lɪŋ] "smith's family" < smed-ling
• Irenson [ɪr.ən.sən] "iron-worker's son" < iren-son
• Stalward [stɑl.wərd] "steel-keeper" < stal-ward
• Silverman [sɪl.vər.mən] "silver-worker" < silver-man
• Keperson [ke.pər.sən] "merchant's son" < keper-sun
• Telward [tel.wərd] "toll keeper" < tel-ward
• Bekker [be.kər] "beech worker" < bek-er

Kalassarian-derived Names

1. Administrative:

• Porter [pɔr.tər] "gate-keeper" < portor
• Custam [kʌs.təm] "customs official" < custamor
• Mercor [mɛr.kər] "merchant" < mercator
• Viglar [vɪg.lər] "watchman" < vigilarius
• Scriptor [skrɪp.tər] "writer" < scriptor
• Proctor [prɒk.tər] "overseer" < procurator
• Censor [sen.sər] "assessor" < censor
• Questor [kwes.tər] "investigator" < quaestor

2. Maritime Officials:

• Navton [næv.tən] "ship-town" < navtonum
• Marrick [mær.ɪk] "maritime district" < marricum
• Scruton [skru.tən] "inspector" < scrutator
• Chartor [tʃɑr.tər] "document keeper" < chartator
• Porton [pɔr.tən] "harbor town" < portonum
• Mariner [mær.ɪ.nər] "sailor" < marinarius
• Rector [rek.tər] "harbor master" < rector
• Curator [kjʊ.reɪ.tər] "overseer" < curator
• Burser [bɜr.sər] "treasurer" < bursarius

Development of Adjectival Marker

Historical Development

1. Early Hick *ka- "like, similar to"
2. Middle Seneran: Broadens to general attributive marker
3. Modern Seneran: Standard adjectival prefix ke-/ka-

Sound Changes

• *ka- → ke- before front vowels
• *ka- → ka- elsewhere
• Reduced to k- before some consonants

Examples

kemal [ke.mal]

"harbor-like, maritime" (< ka-mal "pool-like")

kator [ka.tɔr]

"mountainous" (< ka-tor "peak-like")

kbram [kbram]

"tidal" (< ka-bram, with vowel loss)

Specialized Maritime Usage

keskel [ke.skel]

"nautical" (< ka-skel "ship-like")

kawick [ka.wɪk]

"harbor-related" (< ka-wick "port-like")

Administrative Terms

kaport [ka.pɔrt]

"commercial" (< ka-port "port-related")

kemar [ke.mar]

"maritime" (< ka-mar "sea-like")

Final Stop Aspiration (Allophonic)

Distribution Rule

Final stops are aspirated:

1. Word-finally after stressed syllables
2. In formal/maritime register
3. No minimal pairs (purely allophonic)

Examples

Casual Register:

bat [bat] ~ [bat̚ʰ] "boat"

lak [lak] ~ [lak̚ʰ] "lake"

Formal/Maritime Register:

bat [bat̚ʰ] "boat" (consistently aspirated)

lak [lak̚ʰ] "lake" (consistently aspirated)

Register Variation

1. Maritime Speech:
   • Consistent final aspiration
   • [bat̚ʰ] "boat"
   • [lak̚ʰ] "lake"
2. Casual Speech:
   • Variable/absent aspiration
   • [bat] ~ [bat̚] "boat"
   • [lak] ~ [lak̚] "lake"

Historical Note

• Derives from Middle Hick /h/-clusters
• No phonemic contrast developed
• Became register/style marker
• Preserved most consistently in maritime dialect

Glottal Stop Distribution (Allophonic)

Modern Seneran Environments

1. Word-Initial Vowels:

   • Automatic [ʔ] before initial vowels
   • ir [ʔir] "iron"
   • al [ʔal] "stone"
   • es [ʔes] "east"

2. Vowel Hiatus:

   • Optional [ʔ] between vowels
   • me.al [me.ʔal] ~ [me.al] "stone pool"
   • ka.ir [ka.ʔir] ~ [ka.ir] "iron-like"
   • se.es [se.ʔes] ~ [se.es] "east-ward"

3. Register Variation:

   • Formal: consistent [ʔ] in hiatus
   • Casual: optional/absent [ʔ]
   • Maritime: preserved in certain terms

Historical Development

1. From Early Hick Animacy:
   • E.Hick ʔal > Sen. [ʔ]al "person"
   • E.Hick ʔeθral > Sen. [ʔ]eθral "good"
2. New Environments:
   • Vowel-initial words
   • Compound boundaries
   • Emphasized syllables

Examples

Word-Initial:

imer [ʔi.mer] "breath"

amal [ʔa.mal] "pool"

Compounds:

me.imer [me.ʔi.mer] ~ [me.i.mer] "breath-flow"

ka.amal [ka.ʔa.mal] ~ [ka.a.mal] "pool-like"

Emphasis:

a'mal! [ʔaʔ.mal] "the pool!" (emphatic)

Vowel Hiatus Resolution

Standard vs. Colloquial Forms

1. /a.i/ sequences:

   • Standard: ka.ir [ka.ʔir] "iron-like"
   • Colloquial: kair [kaɪ̯r]
   • Maritime: [ka.ʔir] (maintains hiatus)

2. /e.a/ sequences:

   • Standard: me.al [me.ʔal] "stone pool"
   • Colloquial: meal [mɛː] ~ [mɛ.əl]
   • Maritime: [me.ʔal] (maintains hiatus)

3. /a.e/ sequences:

   • Standard: ma.es [ma.ʔes] "pool-ward"
   • Colloquial: maes [maɪ̯s]
   • Maritime: [ma.ʔes] (maintains hiatus)

Dialectal Patterns

Urban Colloquial:

Frequent diphthongization

ka.ir > kair [kaɪ̯r]

se.al > seal [sɛːl]

Rural Inland:

Vowel coalescence with length

ka.ir > kar [kaːr]

me.al > mel [mɛːl]

Coastal Maritime:

Maintains hiatus

[ka.ʔir], [me.ʔal]

(Conservative, preserves distinctions)

Register Effects

Formal:

Maintains hiatus with [ʔ]

Legal/administrative terms

Religious vocabulary

Casual:

Allows diphthongs

Everyday speech

Fast speech forms

Maritime Directional Terms

From Early Hick

ners [nərs]

"narrowing of channel" (< Early Hick neraes)

Technical maritime term

nemris [nem.ris]

"channel widening" (< Early Hick nerimris)

Maritime technical term

moner [mo.nər]

"broad, wide" (< Early Hick moner)

Archaic/poetic, replaced by analytical forms

Specialized Forms

liners [laɪ.nərs] ~ [lɪ.nərs]

"to strangle/choke" (< Early Hick lineraes)

Also: "dangerous channel constriction" in maritime usage

Register Variants

• Maritime Technical: [lɪ.nərs] "hazardous narrowing"
• Legal/Criminal: [laɪ.nərs] "death by strangulation"
• Common Speech: [lɪ.nərs] "to choke/strangle"

Agentive Marking

Modern Seneran preserves two distinct agentive suffixes inherited from Late Hick:

Primary Markers

-ok [ək]

Forms occupational nouns (professional/established roles)

Examples: - materok [ma.tə.rək] "professional boatman" - smedok [sme.dək] "master smith" - wardok [war.dək] "professional guide/navigator"

-er [ər]

Forms active participant nouns (temporary/non-professional agents)

Examples: - mater [ma.tər] "one who handles boats" - smeder [sme.dər] "one who smiths" - warder [war.dər] "one who guides"

Register Effects

1. Maritime Usage

   • -ok forms dominate in professional titles
   • -er restricted to temporary/trainee roles Example: skelok "ship's master" vs. skeler "temporary helmsman"

2. Trade/Craft Terms

   • -ok indicates guild membership/mastery
   • -er indicates apprenticeship/amateur status Example: smedok "master smith" vs. smeder "apprentice smith"

3. Administrative Language

   • -ok in formal titles
   • -er in deputized/acting roles Example: wardok "harbor master" vs. warder "acting harbor master"

Sound Changes

Major Historical Changes

Based on place name evidence and comparative analysis with modern Seneran, we can identify several key sound changes:

Early Seneran Period (0-500 AI)

1. Initial Consonant Clusters

   • /θr/ → /r/ / #_a
     • thrantorgral → rantorgral "thousand peaks"
     • thramal → ramal "flowing area"
   • /θr/ → /tr/ / #_{i,e}
     • thrikel → trikel "road network"
     • thren → tren "watch point"
   • /θr/ preserved in formal/sacred terms
     • thran-val [θran.val] "thousand-blessing"
     • thral-tor [θral.tor] "sacred peak"

2. Vowel Changes

   • /ae/ → /a/ in unstressed syllables
     • bramaes → bramas "tidal flow"
     • thramaes → thramas "sacred water"
   • /i/ → /e/ in compounds
     • innis-bél → innesbel "island mouth"
     • thrim-kel → tremkel "through-sky"

Middle Seneran (500-1000 AI)

1. Final Syllable Weakening

   • Unstressed vowels → schwa
     • [ra.na.es] → [ra.nə.əs]
     • [in.nes.bel] → [in.nes.bəl]

2. Consonant Cluster Evolution

   • Schwa deletion after liquids before stops
     • [θral.tər] → [θraltr] "sacred peak"
     • [mal.kə] → [malk] "pool-place"
   • Preserved elsewhere
     • [in.nes.bəl] remains [in.nes.bəl]

3. Liquid Deletion

   • [θral.tər] → [θraltr] "sacred peak"
   • [mal.kə] → [malk] "pool-place"

Late Seneran (1000+ AI)

1. Final Changes
   • Word-final schwa deletion
     • [ran.ter.gə] → [ran.terg]
     • [ma.lə] → [mal]
   • Final cluster simplification
     • [bra.məs] → [brams]
     • [in.nes.bəl] → [in.spell]

Common Patterns

Evidence from place names shows consistent patterns:

Initial [θr-]

Becomes [r-] before /a/

Becomes [tr-] before /i,e/

Preserved in sacred/formal terms

Examples: thrantorgral → rantorg thrikel → trikel thran-val remains [θran.val]

Unstressed [-ae-]

Becomes [-a-]

Example: bramaes → bramas

Compound [-i-]

Becomes [-e-]

Example: innis-bél → innesbel