Qatama This is the Qatama thread.
Vowels:
a = /a/ o = /o/ u = /u/ ` = /?/ Between vowels and /@/ between consonants
Plosives:
t = /t/ d = /d/ k = /k/ g = /g/ q = /q/ (or /X/ as a final)
Affricates:
j = /tS/ or /dZ/ or /Z/ (any of these can be used and there will be no confusion)
Nasals:
m = /m/ n = /n/ ng = /N/
Trill:
r = /r/ or the Approximant /r\/
Fricatives:
h = /h/ tl = /t_K/
Approximants:
l = /l/ y = /j/ and u = /w/ before /a/
I am far from a master phonologist and hardly a grammarian but this is the language as best I can describe it.
The word order is OVS and it is a mostly isolating language relying heavily on particles and word order.
A few pronouns to start:
ta = I / me
ta`aq = we (exclusive)
taka = we (inclusive)
ga = you
gahan = you (formal/polite, used in both singular and plural)gaj = you (plural)
na = he/she/it
nada = he / him
naya = she / her
nara = they / them
Next time I'll post the numbers.
-Qang
A note:
Please understand that, while being precise in regards to pronunciation is important in order to provide a teaching standard, Qatama is very forgiving: People may vary their pronunciations quite a bit and still be easily understood. Correcting others' pronunciation is considered extremely rude.Note: Edits and corrections are in red.
Numbers:
ogo = n. number, v. to count
om = zero, nothing , none
ong = one , single
to = two
mo = three
oko = four
do = five
no = six
oq = seven
tong = eight
noq = nine
man = ten
tan = hundred
ngan = thousand
To form ordinals place the particle nu after the number. To form multiples the suffix -a is added, with seven and nine being irregular, i.e. o'aq seven-times, and no'aq nine-times.
Fractions are form by using the adposition aj meaning of/from.
ong aj to = half (lit: one of two)
oko aj do = four fifths
Higher numbers are constructed as follows:
man ong = eleven
man to = twelve
man mo = thirteen
to man = twenty
to man oko = twenty-four
tan to man oko = one hundred twenty-four
mo tan mo to = 332
oko man do ngan no oq tong = 45,678
Other helpful words:
aja = all / every
toa = twice / double
ya`aj = many / much / a lot
daya = few / a little / a bit
m`hu = less / fewer / v. to subtract
m`ha = more / v. to add
anha = some
Here is the Qatama color chart.
Edit-2: I changed the chart to better reflect the colors listed.
color -- aga
black -- oga
blue -- muga
brown -- myoga
clear -- huga
dark -- on
fair, blond -- anyaga
gray -- tlaga
green -- namuga
orange -- konaga
pale, light -- un
pink -- koyuga
purple -- komuga
red -- koga
white -- uga
yellow -- nagaHousehold Form, Family Form
The duties of the household are divided up by gender. Women cook food, wash clothes and see to the children. Men work within the clans and in the fields. Men also perform repairs about the house and do most heavy manual labor. Large families are typical with as many as seven or eight spouses and as many as twenty children.
Children normally live with their parents until age 18 for boys and 20 for girls. At that point, they may move into a guild, join the military, serve aboard a ship, marry into a family or choose some other path. In agricultural areas, it is common for them to stay on and help with the farm.
Birth - Beliefs, Customs
Qatama have a gestation period of 11 months. Unwanted pregnancies are terminated through the ingestion of a mildly poisonous herb.
Children - Discipline, Education, Recreation
Children are educated in groups by village scholars. In the larger cities, specialized academies exist. Discipline is harsh. Recreation and games usually have an educational theme. Children are taught that strength of will is as important as strength of body.
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Now a bit of vocabulary.
man = kang
woman = mung
Mr., sir, gentleman... = -han
Mrs., Miss, Ms., ma'am, lady... = -hana
name / to be called = ata
person = kong
family = tanga
clan / tribe = tang
relative = tangru
father = kangha
mother = mungha
brother = taja
sister = munu
boy, son = taj
girl, daughter = mungu
aunt = mungla
uncle = kangla
niece, nephew = tajum
grandfather = kara / kangra
grandmother = mura / mungra
cousin = tajal / munul
husband = kang
wife = mung
marriage / to marry / to be married = muhuka
divorce = muhula
in-law = ajum
baby = umun
child = umun
teenager = umunha
adult / people = kanga
friend = maja
enemy = ujuna
elder = ongoq
The difference between kangra/kara and mungra/mura is one of familiarity/respect. If you know the elder well enough you would simply refer to him/her with kara/mura, but in times when the goal is to show respect and tact, kangra/mungra are used.
adanuq = wealthy one
ahaj = to act justly
ahamuj = trustworthy, reliable
ahanu = truthful one
aj'n = father of many
alaj = he who has not been conquered
alal = clean, pure
alhaj = brother of muhajamaru = time keeper
amu = venerable one
amuda = seemed destined to die at birth
amudan = prayerful man
amuja = fearless
amul = determined one
amun = bowl maker
amuq = wise warrior
amutan = born during father's absence
amutaq = spiritual strength
anar = gold, metal, money
ataruq = family protector
ayaja = born of beauty
ayanu = beautiful one
dahajun = seeker of knowledge
damaq = brewer of doq (Qatam alcohol)
damar = coin maker
dar = curly hair
d'han = one who is clear
d'har = born in the morning
gamun = he comes in peace
garaq = tailor
gataq = pure of thought
g'manal = born of the sea
g'mul = mighty giver
gohan = from the forest
gomuq = patience
goraq = born under the moon
gomu = burning torch
goru = stands in judgement
gotaq = protector
gulan = warrior from the north
gutan = a hundred lives
gyomu = from the desert
gyomuq = lord of the desert
gyoraq = determined, decisive
gyota = farmer
gyotaq = man of courage
kagul = aspiration, ambition
kaguma = green eyed
kamul = flute maker
kataq = respected one
k'han = eternal wisdom
kumuq = old warrior
kyong = quiet one
kyung = faithful one
mahan = the lion
malaq = city builder
maraq = tool maker
maruma = old traveler
maruq = sharp arrow
mataq = great advisor
mudaq = mountain dweller
muhaj = peaceful monk
muruq = wheel maker
mutaq = lord of the mountain
nagaru = yellow-haired, golden
nahaj = thick rain clouds
naharu = yellow skin
najan = wood carver
nala = generous spirit
nomu = wise one
nor = he says, he does
nula = kind, gentle
ogra = from the cold
ohaj = leads with heart
ohan = guide
ojan = lion like
okuga = red haired
omura = from the west
ota = strength
otagu = one who yawns
otaq = strength of spirit
otla = stone worker
otoko = manly
qadaka = warlike
qang = noble ruler :P
qayal = festival, holiday
qra = invader
qral = inspiration, rage, frenzy
qrala = stubborn
qram = auspicious, lucky
qrang = calm warrior
qur = peaceful ruler
quraga = panther passing across
tahaj = warrior protector
takaga = good swordsman
takan = brave one
tala = white skinned
tamuja = crusher, breaker
tamul = man of victory
tamun = tent maker
tanaka = noble swordsman
taq = strong one
taqra = brother of taqtayala = esteemed, distinguished
t'haruq = brave leader
tlal = brother of talatlang = from the island
toroq = middle son
uhaj = wise monk
ulal = eagle of the sun
ulha = wise, intelligent
ulhan = wise one
umul = praiseworthy
uyaj = old spirit
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And here is some additional vocabulary:
A picture of what a guma might look like.
Clothes;
apron -- okada
belt -- alaju
boot, shoe, sandal, sock -- noga
cloth, rag -- oka
coat, shirt -- guma
cotton -- dohuq
dress, skirt -- kuha'a
earring -- myanuq
glove, wristband -- m`dan
hat -- hanaka
jewelry -- myar
necklace -- ongraya
rank, insignia -- tal
ring -- yuj
shield, armor -- gon
shorts, trousers, pants -- akama
silk -- onyom
suit -- kuhaga
to wear clothes, clothing -- kuha
tunic -- go'om
underclothes -- okuaha
undershirt -- gumahu
uniform -- kuhan
wool -- ulana
Particles Articles and such:
al = general article:
al is most often used to mark a word as a noun, this is because almost all verbs can also be nouns, and sometimes adjectives
ayu = self, reflexive:
Always placed after the pronoun
doj = just, only
nga = not, no, negative:
Always begins a sentence or phrase except when it negates a single word
ngun = negative past tense
o = honorific article
oha = yes, affirmation
oj = son of
oya = vocative particle
oyo = diminutive article
oyom = about, approximately
qa = question particle:
Always ends a sentence or phrase
ru = agentive particle
ung = past tense
uq = future tense
uj = plural particle
kya = imperative particle
Note: tense particles always immediately preceed the verb they modify
Note 2: this list will probably be modified more than a few times in the weeks to come.
Some vocab for time.
occasion, time -- ama
past -- ung
present -- naku
future -- uq
second, minute, instant -- njam
hour, time -- ama`a
midday, noon -- ona aj maq
midnight -- ona aj naq
day -- maq
morning -- omaq
evening -- onaq
night -- naq
week -- galam
month -- alam
year -- ngaq
decade -- mangaq
century -- tangaq
millenia -- nganaq
era, epoch -- amahaq
spring -- angja
summer - angra
autumn -- angam
winter -- anguma
Adpositions
Spacial
at, to -- naj
in front of -- gonha
behind -- unaj
from, out of -- aj
in, into -- ogu
outside -- kogu
above, over, on -- unga
below, under -- gora
between, among -- onda
by, beside, up to -- nuj
toward -- naj
away (from) -- ngaj
along -- oru
across, through -- oguda
around -- nuj
opposite -- odoq
Temporal
at, to -- na`aj
before -- gonha
after -- unaj
since -- no`o
during, while -- ajama
until -- uqra
Relational
of -- aj
about, concerning -- aj
for, in order to, benefiting, on behalf of -- nja
by (actor, author) -- aj
with, in company of, using -- noj
without, except -- ngoj
opposite, against, in spite of -- odoq
approximately, around, close to -- oyom
I made this, I think it looks cool, almost like square Chinese...maybe.
Sentences can be arranged vertically or horizontally.
A silly little sample sentence. ;)
Very Basic Verbs
to be = muqused as a copula and often omitted from speach
become... = odoj
cause to... = nonga
let, allow, permit to... = toqra
must, should, need to... = kuj
want to, intend to... = nung
can, could, am able to... = toqaj Qutam muq ta = I am from Qutam.
uq odoj nada Qan aj Qutam = He will become Qan of Qutam.
ung na nonga ta = I caused it.
nga na toqra = It is not allowed.
kuj moto ga = You must remember.
nung moju ta = I want to read.
ga am toq ta = I can injure you.
My consuming obsession with Qatam phonotactics has led to me making this chart:
~95% of all Qatama words can be made using this chart.
Here are some harsh words in Qatama.
aqja = usually pronounced /aXtSa/ = general invective, exclimation, epithet; More or less the harshest word in the Qatam lexicon to date, it is used when you want to initiate a violent responce from someone. It can mean several things, including shit/fuck/bitch/cunt/twat etc. As you can see, not a nice word.
nguka = This word is closest in usage to bitch, but culturally has a significantly different meaning, it alludes to any creature that eats/rolls around in it's own feces.
d`na = this word simply means genitals, it's usage is closest to words lick ass, asshole and dickhead in English, saying it with a pronoun following it is like saying fuck (person indicated)
q`na = general invective, may indicate surprise, this word literally means feces and it's usage varies from region to region within Qatama, it is most often heard in the phrase 'q`na qa' analogous to saying 'what the fuck?'
doku = this word is probably the least harsh, it means 'idiot', but it can have a much more intense usage when coupled with other words in this list
q`hara = derogatory epithet, used to describe a anyone who is considered less than worthy of being Qatam, insignificant; beneath notice; useless due to worthlessness
t`ha intensely, This word not only intensifies whatever is being said, it turns the whole phrase into an invective.
aj muda = quite literally 'of trash' / 'of garbage', used by those afraid to use the other terms mentioned
dogra = v. to cuss, insult / n. a derogatory term, an insult
*Some of this has changed, but is for the most part still accurate.<amuQ> the four tribes are; Qatama, Guang, Ajra, Tam'q
<amuQ> each one is made up of 20-30 clans
<amuQ> each clan has about 40-50 families in it
<amuQ> there are also "orders", which are political and sometimes financial groups
<amuQ> an order is roughly equivalent to a clan
<amuQ> both being lead by a 'lord'
<amuQ> the Qatama tribe is spread all over the Qatam continent and on no others
<amuQ> the same can be said for the Guang, however they are much fewer in number than the Qatama
<amuQ> the Ajra are also not as numerous as the Qatama but they can be found on all continents
<amuQ> the Tam'q are the smallest tribe and can be found on Qatama and Qor Ma'ar only
<amuQ> the Tam'q are considered to be barbaric by the other tribes and often territory disputes occur due to the Tam'q not really caring where they end up after a hunt
<amuQ> each tribe does have it's own dialect, the Ajra being the most removed from canon Qatama
<amuQ> the Guang being the oldest of all the tribes they are often the most powerful(politically) during negotiations over territory and resources
<amuQ> the Guang often act as moderators between the other tribes
<amuQ> *mediators
<amuQ> the Guang tend to be Shamanistic in their beliefs
<amuQ> the Tam'q are similar in this manner
<amuQ> the Ajra tend to be more philosophical and spiritual
<amuQ> while the Qatama tend to be very pragmatic
<amuQ> the Qatama have the largest standing army in the Empire, the Guang consider every adult male to be a 'warrior'
<amuQ> the Tam'q are taught at a very young age to use weapons for survival and warfare
<amuQ> the Ajra do not believe in war as an answer yet they do have a very modest military
<amuQ> the Guang and Qatama have education systems in place and often they have great success in mass education
<amuQ> the Tam'q have no standard educational system
<amuQ> the Ajra tend to educate in the home, and have relaxed standards
<amuQ> agriculture is important to all except the Tam'q
<amuQ> farming is difficult but is considered to be an honest and worthy endeavor by all
<amuQ> every city/town has a marketplace of some size
<amuQ> culturally, business is only conducted during daylight
<amuQ> it is considered a dishonest act to do so during darkness
<amuQ> art is important to all tribes
<amuQ> however the Tam'q display this mostly in clothing and beads
<amuQ> the Ajra are considered to be the most artistic usually having large murals and decorative architecture throughout their cities/towns
<amuQ> Qor Ma'ar is populated by non-Qatama tribes as well
<amuQ> the Q'tos, Tsung, Xadim, Etsuma and other minor clans
<amuQ> these tribes are considered nomads and enemies of the Qatama empire
<amuQ> they are not interacted with unless they provoke they Qatama
<amuQ> they each have their own culture and language, some of which are distantly related to Qatama
<amuQ> the Q'tos being the most violent and volatile of them all
<amuQ> the Xadim have been seen as the most powerful, and have actually tried to unite the nomads in an attempt to invade and destroy the Empire
<amuQ> there has been little success though, as the Empire has spies and warriors that patrol Qor Ma'ar
<amuQ> Tohanju is populated by the Toqa and Ritan(u) as well as a few Ajra
<amuQ> Tohanju is treated in a unique way, the Empire does not recognize the tribes as legitimate but there are some 'closed door' dealing that does occur
<amuQ> mainly involving bartering and trading for goods that can not be found on Qatam
<amuQ> this is done quietly and with 'official' approval from the Empire
<amuQ> there has been war with Tohanju in the past but a 'tentative' peace is now the norm
Ok, here is a recording (.wav file) of this list.
apron -- okada
belt -- alaju
boot, shoe, sandal, sock -- noga
cloth, rag -- oka
coat, shirt -- guma
cotton -- dohuq
dress, skirt -- kuha'a
earring -- myanuq
glove, wristband -- m`dan
hat -- hanaka
jewelry -- myar
necklace -- ongraya
rank, insignia -- tal
ring -- yuj
shield, armor -- gon
shorts, trousers, pants -- akama
silk -- onyom
suit -- kuhaga
to wear clothes, clothing -- kuha
tunic -- go'om
underclothes -- okuaha
undershirt -- gumahu
uniform -- kuhan
wool -- ulanaAnd this is from your sig;
"If your beard's in fire, water yours."
kya guja ogua m`ga uja goku oguimperitive-particle water beard 2P-pos if fire in
To be or not to be, that is the question.
nga muq aq muq al kuja muq qun
My every step should be a dance.
moka daru aja gun m'ta
Nothing shall come from nothing, speak again!
aj om muq om
kya muta m'ham
Did you really tell her that her cat is dead?
myong tomoq m'naya ung naj na muta ga qa
Looking into the sun will harm your eyes!
uq am aj ongo m'ga ngo naj mul
It was in this river that we threw your drunken uncle.
kangla doqla m'ga ung ogu kun gujra taka nahaq
how they might all appear on one sheet
ngumja /NumZa/= impermanence
uq mongha ngumja nung ta future to-understand impermanence wish I.
I wish to understand impermanence.
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tojla /todZlQ/ = sword, long blade
mun al tojla mongla na
/mun Ql todZlQ moNla nQ/
to-use the sword confused 3per-sin
He/She does not know how to use the sword.
tojla comes from toj meaning warrior, this is based on the Qatama belief that the weapon is an extention of the warrior.
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gaha /gahQ/ or /gaxQ/ = flora, flower, foliage
kura kun moq gaha ayato-have this place flora beautiful
This place has beautiful flora.
gaha is often used in only the general sense, but is also the root for most flora words, e.g. gahanu = flower, gahaq = tree, g'haj = bouquet
doguna /dogunQ/ = bar, tavern
ogu al doguna ung taka
inside the tavern/bar PAST 1PL
We were in the tavern.
doguna is combined from parts of doq /doq_h/ = beer, gula /gulQ/ = wine, and t'na /tvnQ/ = liquor
the old way to say it would have been: doq gula ma t'na moq = beer wine and liquor place
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qumuta /qumutQ/ = battle, war
al qumuta aj mo man ngaqthe war of three ten year
The Thirty Years War.
the root for qumuta is kumu /kumu/, meaning to fight
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moj /moZ/ = writing system/alphabet
moj aya kura qatamawriting system beautiful to-have Qatama
Qatama has a beautiful writing system.
related words:
omoj /omoZ/ = writing utensil
moja /modZQ/ = to write, word
mo'oj /mo.oZ/ = calligraphy
moju /modZu/ = to read, book
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danu /dQnu/ = eating utensil
al danu nang naya = /Ql dQnu naN naja/
the/a eating-utensil to-need her/she
She needs an eating utensil.
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unuq /unuq/ = hair
kun maq unuq m'ta n'ha nathis day hair my cut it
I got my hair cut today.
related words:
unuqla /unuqlQ/ = hairless, bald
unuqra /unuqrQ/ = hair style, type of hair
also related to: anaq /QnQq/ = head and anuq /Qnuq/ ear(s), to hear
words relating to the head have the "-n-q" root
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ngam /Nam/ = 'not yet complete' tense marker
naj tagu ngam mua tato/toward store/market not-yet to-go 1PS
I have not yet gone to the store.
other tense markers include:
uq /uq/ = general future
ung /uN/ = general past
huq /huq/ = not yet begun
ngun /Nun/ = negative past
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m'naq /mnQq/ = a particular style of food/cuisine. It is characterized by thick and pungent flavors. Chili, pepper and garlic are usually necessities in this cuisine. It come form naq /nQq/ meaning night an the possessive prefix m' /m/ or /mv/ because this style of food is mainly only eaten for the evening meal.
aj qutam muq al m'naq ruof/from Qutam copula the/a M"NAQ agentive-particle
The m'naq chef is from Qutam.
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guqra /guqrQ/ = thank you
ga t'ha guqra /gQ tvhQ guqrQ/
2PS very thank-you
Thank you very much!
other related words include:
nguq /Nuq/ = welcome, said to someone upon their arrival
nguqla /NuqlQ/ = you're welcome, said in responce to guqraaguq /aguq/ = please, only used when asking for something
guq /guq/ = civility, politeness, to be kind
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ogo /ogo/ = number, digit, amount, quantity
ogo kura ga qa /ogo kurQ ga qQ/
amount to-have 2PS INT-PART
How much/many do you have?
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koto /koto/ = drum; generic Qatama term for many different styles of drums. Drums in Qatama are an important aspect of the culture, necessary to art and ceremony, imbued with symbology and history. In Qatama, a drum is part of every festival, encountered in every temple and an integral part of most musical and theatrical performances. It might be said that koto sounds the heartbeat of Qatama culture. Koto reaches deep into the psyche of Qatama from ceremonies honoring the ancestors to celebrations of planting and harvest. Relationships between people as well as individual pathways are created through the vibrations of koto and carried to places of spirit that are beyond definition, beyond words, to truth and knowledge.
Drums from all traditions have a spirit that is alive and vibrant. This spirit comes alive through the joining of wood, skins, metal and other materials that come from the trees, plants, animals and the earth. The spirits of earth, air, fire and water become the grandmothers of the finished drum, unseen but always remembered. When all of these elements come into harmony and relationship, with good thoughts and actions, a new life is brought into the world.
al koto nung mon tathe drum(s) to-want to-learn 1PS
I want to learn (to play) the drum.
other related words:
kotoq /kotoq/ = rhythm
onaja /onadZQ/ = the wooden sticks used to play koto drums
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tla'a /t_Ka.Q/ = boar, pig, swine
kanu ma kuda tla'a koj nadato-hunt and to-prepare-for-eating pork to-like 3PSM
He likes to hunt for and prepare boar for eating.
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uda = window, opening, portal
oko uda kura kun tamulit: 4 windows to-have this dwelling
This house has four windows.
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muj = table, desk, bench, counter
moq muj mga qalocative table 2S-POS INT-PART
Where is your table?
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kamun = parent, adult
noj kamun m'nada ruq moju al tajwith parent 3S-M-POS clause-part to-read the boy
The boy reads with his parent.
it's a pretty cheesy pic, but I was in a hurry and it was the best I could find...
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nuga = to scream, yell, be loud
nong naj nada ung nuga ga qareason to/at he/him past scream you question
Why did you scream at him?
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gyoha = farewell, good-bye
kalha = hello, fromal greeting
kalhaj = formal greeting to a group
aka = Hi!, informal greeting
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omo = tradition
omo mtaka muq kuntradition our copula this
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d'la = angle; An angle is the figure formed by two rays sharing a common endpoint, called the vertex of the angle. Angles provide a means of expressing the difference in slope between two rays meeting at a vertex without the need to explicitly define the slopes of the two rays. Angles are studied in geometry and trigonometry.
d'lam = right angle; An angle of π/2 radians or 90°, one-quarter of the full circle is called a right angle
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a Qatama deck of cards, called m'ru
This is five suited deck with cards 0 to 10 in each of the five suits, plus two extra cards, though in practice only one of the extra cards is used in most games (57 cards in all). Each of the suit cards is marked with the symbol and color of the suit , and a stylised Qatama number denoting the rank in each corner.
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doku = stupid, ignorant, dumb
t'ha doku naya very stupid 3psFEM
She is very stupid.
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kayata = party, festival, feast
kayata daru taka party suggestive 3PPL
We should have a party!
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gyoda = /G\jod@/ = crazy / insane
konga gyoda
/koNaG\jod@/
some|one/person/body (is) crazy
Somebody's crazy.
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oyuha = /ojuha/ = imagination, to imagine, dream
aj naya oyuha taof/from 3PSfem dream 1PS
I dream of her.
yonga = /joNa/ = eyelash, eyelid
uj yonga taha kura nadaPL eyelash big/large have 3PSmas
He has big eyelashes.
gujra = /guZra/ = ocean, lake, river; any large body of water
utahu ma aya muq al gujradeep and beautiful is the ocean
The ocean is beautiful and deep.
note: utahu can be; vast, expanding, grand, enormous
syllables
q' qa qo qu -qk' ka ko ku kya kyo kyug' ga go gu gra gya gyo gyu
t' ta to tla
d' da do
m' ma mo mu mya myo -m
n' na no nu nja nju -n
nga ngo ngu -ng
ja ju -j
ha hu
ya yo yu
la -l
ra ro ru -r
' a o u
red = can not appear in the middle of words
blue = can not begin words (rare exceptions)
vowel placement;
'o' can not follow any other vowel in the subsequent syllable except 'o'
example: omoq - correct
example: amoq - incorrect
Qatama is isolating, and has little to no morphology
one exception is possesive pronuns
ta = I, me while m'ta = mine, my
syntax: OVS or patient/topic verb/verb-phrase agent
adjectives follow nouns
adverbs follow verbs
particles/articles usually precede the modified word
prepositions precede modified word/phrase
derivation: many words in Qatama have more than one role, i.e. graq, is a verb meaning to eat, while also being the noun food, so, derivation is rare and usually affects adverbs and a few adjectives
Qatama:
kang - man / husband
kangha - father
kangla - uncle
kangra - grandfather
taj - boy / son / nephew
taja - brother / male cousin
mung - woman / wife
mungha - mother
mungla - aunt
mungra - grandmother
mungu - girl / daughter / niece
munu - sister / female cousin
the word ajum is used to denote relation through marriage
Qatama:
aga - color
naga - yellow
koga - red
muga - blue
oga - black
uga - white
on - dark
un - light
namuga - green
konaga - orange
komuga - purple
tlaga - gray
myoga - brown
uyuga - silver
koyuga - pink
anuga - gold
Qatama: English:
anaq head
anuq ear(s)
ongo eye(s)
okota heart
toru back
taruya hip/waist
tara belly/stomach
utar chest/breast
nogra feet/toes
anuja leg
udan hand/arm
qongo joint
gan bone
gua mouth/face
ogua facial hair
uha skin
udanju fingers/knuckles
dong nose
g'tla shoulder
qono muscle
anaqra neck
guata teeth
guaja tongue
unuq hair
Qatama: nongla nja kun kumunongla = reason-less / pointless
nja = for / by
kun = this
kumu = to fight / battle / confront
Qatama: kyala naj ta ngo
kyala = neg. command marker
naj = to / towards
ta = 1PS
ngo = to look / see / stare
How does your conlang handle clauses?
Qatama: ruq /ruq/ = general clause marker
Qatama:
kun al kuja muq aq muqla this ART question to-be or to-be-not
Qatama culture is not very apologetic, however the best way to say 'sorry' is:
kya damju ta
kya = command marker
damju = to forgive / forgiveness
ta = 1PS
So you tell someone to forgive you, if they comply then the matter is settled, if not a common phrase heard is:
ngoj damju mua ta
ngoj = without / apart
mua = to go / travel
I go without forgiveness."Ok fine, don't forgive me, see ya."
Qatama vowels:
/a/ <a>
/o/ <o>
/u/ <u>
/v/ <'>
/?/, yes I use it as a vowel, sometimes realized as /e/ <'>
diphthongs /wa/ <ua>, /aU/ <ao> (rare)
Qatama uses a plural particle uj between /udZ/ and /utS/, that occurs before the pluralized noun.
al q'ma aj Qatama
The military of Qatama is integrated into the fabric of the tribes and clans, as well as the government.
Omoq = Emperor, responsible for governing the empire, considered the 'commander in chief' of all imperial forces.
Kagan = Overlord, responsible for the governance of a realm, appointed by the Omoq. Usually a clan leader, occasionally a tribe leader, inherently responsible for the ruling of said clan and daily business. Commands a q'ma, ~ 50,000 warriors.
Qan = Lord, responsible for the governance of a region (subdivision of a realm). A Lord is also the traditional leader of a familial clan, can also lead a brotherhood or order. Commands a qada ~ 20,000 warriors.
Kanaq = Warlord, appointed by a Kagan, most often in time of war, but not uncommonly as commanders of policing units. Warlords give up ascension rights within a clan to gain this appointment as Kanaq is seen as a purely militaristic posting.
Qan Maj = Lord Commander, not a rank of nobility, simply the highest military rank within a q'dom, ~ 5000 warriors
Maj = Commander/Chief, responsible for governance of a city/village. A Maj is also the traditional leader of an extended family within a city/village. Commands a q'tan, ~ 100 - 500 warriors.
Q'toj = Lord Warrior, also not nobility, simply the highest rank in the warrior class. Serves at the side of a Qan all of the way down to a Maj. This position is similar to a senior enlisted advisor in today's armed forces. This position is lifelong once appointed.
Tojra = Master Warrior, responsible for the training of warriors and apprentices, works hand in hand with the Q'toj to insure that all needs are attented to.
Toj = Warrior.
Gulha/Gul = Apprentice. The difference between a gulha and a gul is the length of time in training, the gulha having trained longer.
Qatama:
1) aj, meaning of or from
tamu aj Qang /tamuaZqaN/ lit: House of Qang.
2) possesive pronouns, m'- /mv/ prefix
tamu m'ta /tamumvta/ or /tamumta/ lit: House mine/my.
I don't know what I should do.
I don't know what to do.
Qatama: aj nuda daru muja mongla taaj nuda muja mongla ta
uq = future
ung = past
ngam = not yet complete
ngun = negative past tense
The man who loves his wife.
koj mung m'nada ruq al kangkoj = to love
mung = woman / wife
m'nada = 3PS-masc-POS
ruq = general clause marker
al = general article
kang = man / husband
lit: love wife his 'ruq' the man
I believe that Qatama is a beautiful language.
al tlaq qatama aya amha tatlaq = language / dialect
aya = beautiful / pretty
amha = to believe / belief
ta = 1PS
lit: the language Qatama beautiful believe IMy child, who is 5 foot tall.
Qatama as a culture, has no measurment for height.
Pronouns.
ta = 1PS
taka = 1PPL-inclusive
ta'aq = 1PPL-exclusive
ga = 2PS
gaj = 2PPL
gahan = 2P-polite, used for both S and PL
na = epicene pronoun
nada = 3PS masc
naya = 3PS fem
nara = 3PPL
nuda = general indefinite pronoun
m'- = possesive prefix
ayu = reflexive marker / self
Al Qumu Kaya
This annual event is a cultural celebration of battle, brotherhood and survival. The Qumu Kaya is a great gathering of all Qatama clans in a region. Usually, there will be as many as five or six separate Qumu Kayas occuring in a year, one for each region. The Qumu Kaya is usually hosted by the largest and strongest Qatama clan in the area. Each Qumu Kaya will be a gathering of a dozen or more clans. The Qumu Kayas are usually held in early autumn, but this varies. The Qumu Kaya lasts three days.
The Qumu Kaya includes many forms of martial competition including wrestling, archery, team competitions and scrimmage battles. Tests of bravery include fire jumping and blade tossing.
a Qatama End-blown, notched flute known as a myatla.
a three-stringed fretless plucked musical instrument called a doruka, has a dry, somewhat percussive tone and loud volume it is primarily used as an accompanying instrument with the koto and myatla.
As a culture, the Qatama have little organized religion. Worship for the majority of Qatama is a very personal thing, not to be cluttered up with ritual and protocol. On occasion, the Qatama may gather to meditate or sing or pray, but such is usually spontaneous and natural.. Only those Qatama who travel and interact with other cultures ever adopt the worship of deities.
moju = to write, scribe, written word / book
moju ta = I write
moju ga = you write
moju na = he/she/it writes
moju nada = he writes
moju naya = she writes
moju ta'aq = we (exclusive) write
moju taka = we (inclusive) write
moju gaj = you (plural) write
moju nara = they write
------------------------------------------------------------
past tense
ung moju ta = I wrote
ung moju ga = you wrote
ung moju na = he/she/it wrote
ung moju nada = he wrote
ung moju naya = she wrote
ung moju ta'aq = we (exclusive) wrote
ung moju taka = we (inclusive) wrote
ung moju gaj = you (plural) wrote
ung moju nara = they wrote
future tense replace ung with uq, to negate it place nga at the begining and to turn it into a question place qa at the end:
uq moju ga = you will write
nga moju ga = you are not writing
moju ga qa = are you writing?
uj makes the noun form plural
uj moju = writings / books
The Qatama Imperial Banner.
al gongra aj Qatam
Euphoria- 07-31-2007
can you translate some sentences into qatama? I'd like to see it)
Sano- 07-31-2007
can you translate some sentences into qatama? I'd like to see it)
There are sentences translated above, unless you had specific requests.
Finally!
It is nice to see Qatama back.
I am a bit confused by how it handles clauses. So does ruq just handle major stand-alone clauses or can it also be applied for relatives, and attributes (this could be done probably by adjectives)?
Sano- 12-13-2007
I am a bit confused by how it handles clauses. So does ruq just handle major stand-alone clauses or can it also be applied for relatives, and attributes (this could be done probably by adjectives)?
I am still ironing out the kinks.
endymion-- 12-14-2007
Okay, since you are still ironing out the kinks, I have a question that still running on my head. I understand that Qatama is not a new project, it at least 2-3 years I think, has the language changed anyhow from when you first conceptualized it?
I am interested in this sentence too:
kangaja uj naru muta Qatama
Everyone should speak Qatama.
Is this still the same for your Qatama at the moment?
Sano- 12-14-2007
has the language changed anyhow from when you first conceptualized it?
Yes.
"Everyone should speak Qatama."
muta Qatama daru aja
Sano- 12-30-2007
I'm looking for suggestions for additions, changes and improvements of this page.
Are there aspects of grammar that I should add? What are they?
Is there anything I should remove?
What sections need to be expanded or improved?
Please, be blunt and brutal.
qanuk- 12-30-2007
Wow, I think you've really covered a lot of bases, giving detailed cultural and linguistic information.
I think the layout is user-friendly and understandable.
I may have missed it somewhere, but I was wondering why Qatama doesn't have any front vowels such as or , but only back vowels?
Sano- 12-30-2007
I may have missed it somewhere, but I was wondering why Qatama doesn't have any front vowels such as or , but only back vowels?
When I first began conlanging, about 19 years ago, I had no idea what the hell I was doing. Qatama is only about 10 y/o now, but as I have learned more and more about conlanging and linguistics in general, I decided not to scrap Qatama, but attempt to explain it in a better way.
Essentially, Qatama has no front vowels for aesthetic reasons. When assembling the phonemic inventory, I decided to leave out <i> and <e> at a time when I was very unsatisfied with English.
fmra- 12-30-2007
Don't be honest. Claim that they fell into /@/ at some point in ancient history... :)
Sano- 12-30-2007
Don't be honest. Claim that they fell into /@/ at some point in ancient history... :)
Believe me, if I knew more about historical linguistics, or how languages change over time, I would try to come up with a more colorful explanation.
qanuk- 12-30-2007
You could say that they feel that front vowels make words sound trivial, perhaps. I think I read a long time ago that words regarding smallness or triviality (at least in English) often have front vowels more than not. Probably some sort of subconscious thing.
Sano- 12-30-2007
You could say that they feel that front vowels make words sound trivial, perhaps.
Well, back when I began with Qatama, it was actually that I didn't like the ambiguity of <i> and <e> in English...it seemed as though they could just about represent any sound...
I think I read a long time ago that words regarding smallness or triviality (at least in English) often have front vowels more than not.
I have learned that is a widely held misconception, best set of examples;
big and small completely destroys the idea IMO.
Probably some sort of subconscious thing.
Let us please not travel down the theoretical road here...in this thread, please.
I'm just looking for suggestions for improvement of the Qatama grammar page.
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