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| Nope! |
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| Total Votes : 4 |
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 Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:14 pm
Hello, dear Kakáku learner. I will be your teacher. You may notice my halo. Well, let's just say I ate too much faerie food. Once you touch that, you are never the same. I had found my way into a faerie ring somehow and now I'm stuck at the same age, even though it's been centuries since I wondered in. But that is another story.
Do you know what Kakáku is used for? Well, you must know a little since you have come to learn. Kakáku is the language of the faeries, the little pixies hiding in your very garden, keeping the plants alive. They exist in all things involving nature, and they are very powerful, albeit small.
The tongue of the faeries is used for spellcasting, as well as communicating with the other realms. Have you ever wanted to speak with a dragon? They understand Kakáku too. Even the ever-so-isolated Niore use this tongue for their protection, and nymphs for mischief making. Now then, let us begin...
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:16 pm
Pronunciation and Alphabet
Well, now. The first thing anyone would learn in Kakáku is how to pronounce the letters. Repeat after me:
a - father
d - donkey
e - the month of May
f - frog
h - hi
i - bee
k - kick
l - lamp
m - mop
n - no
o - so
p - plant
s - zoo
t - top
u - food
y - yes
Very good! But what if there are two vowels next to each other? The following are the only diphthongs in Kakáku. If two vowels appear next two each other, and are not included here, then simply pronounce their individual sounds separately. Repeat after me once more:
ai - fly
au - now
oi - toy
ua - French moi
ui - French oui
Well done! Now, next is the stress rule:
The stress is usually on the third to last syllable (if the word is only two syllables, then stress the first), but if it isn't then there will be an accent above the vowel which must be stressed.
For example: kikukú = ki - ku - ku
This is also used to separate diphthongs, as demonstrated with this:
kua = 'kwa', but kúa = ku - a
Do you follow? Of course you do, you're a smart one, after all. The next thing one must learn in Kakáku is how to count, so follow me to the second post!
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:20 pm
Numbers
The next thing to learn after the alphabet is how to count. Counting is very important as most spells have to do with numerology. Now, learner, repeat after me:
one = da
two = fu
three = ho
four = ka
five = lu
six = mo
seven = na
eight = pu
nine = so
Good job! You may also want to learn these two words:
none = ta
many = yu
If you would like to form higher numbers(although this is rare for the pikiti), you simply say the digits in order and place a dash in between.
For Example: 568 = lu-mo-pu
For ordinal numbers(first, second, third...), simply add '--i' to the end of the cardinal(one, two, three...) number.
For example: da = one vs. dai = first
To make a number an adverb, this is to say 'once' instead of 'one' or 'twice' instead of 'two', add '--na' to the end of the cardinal number.
For example: da = one vs. dana = once
Congratulations, dear learner, you have now learned the basics of counting in Kakáku! How is this used in spellcasting? Let me show you...
First of all, the numbers 1-9 have a magical correspondence. They are as follows:
da = originality, creativity, manifestation
fu = love, working together, relationships, planning
ho = power, strength, importance
ka = rules, control, perfection, improvement
lu = dexterity, arts and crafts, skill, talent
mo = balance, equality, fair judgment
na = luck, gambling, games, fun
pu = dance, music, fine art, fluidity, movement
so = protection, help, healing
If you encounter a number that has more than one digit, as in 26, while divining, then add the digits of that number together until you get to a single digit.
For example: 26 = 2 + 6 = 8 = dance, music, fine art, fluidity, movement
You may end up with zero on some occasions. If so, this is the meaning:
ta = cycles, nature, infinity, everything, all
Divining? You don't know what that is, do you? These numbers play a major role in telling the future. All you need is something that portrays numbers. A calculator, a dice, even a book if you are willing to go by page number. Simply use the medium to get a base number(the one whose digits must be added together) and use that to catch a glimpse of the future. How might you do so? With a calculator, close your eyes and randomly type, then press the equal button. For dice, roll it. If you are using a book, then open randomly to a page and use the page number. The number will correspond with one of the above after adding the digits. The actual meaning, however, is left up to the reader, or the person who did the divining.
As for the use of numbers in actual spellcasting, that is a different matter. All I can say is that the magic number corresponds with the number of candles lit, or the number of faeries performing a spell. So if a faerie wanted to improve their creativity, they might perform a spell alone with one candle lit. But enough about spellworking, you came here to learn a language! The next thing to learn is grammar, so on we shall go...
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:23 pm
Grammar
Ah, grammar, my favorite part of Kakáku! Now, learner, let us begin...
Word Order
Word order refers to which part of the sentence comes first, second, and third: the subject, object, or verb. In Kakáku, the order is as follows:
SVO: Subject, Verb, Object
In the case of an indirect vs. direct object, these particles are used after the word or phrase:
Direct: oto
Indirect: epo
---
Sentence Types
There are three main types of sentences: Statements, Questions, and Commands.
Statements
Sentences initially start out as statements. However, statements can change to become something you think will happen vs. something that may happen vs. something you think won't happen at all vs. something you don't know will happen at all, or from something you want to happen vs. something you are indifferent about vs. something you don't want to happen vs. something you are unsure of whether you want to happen at all. In kakáku, this is grammatically noted.
The following appear at the ends of your sentences to indicate these 'moods', so to speak:
Will it happen?
Yes, definitely: difinó
Perhaps: yuluká
No, definitely not: num
I have no idea: kikukú
Do you want it to?
Yes, definitely: hokó
I don't really care if it does or not: solalá
No way!: eye
I don't know: kua
In the case that you may wish to use one from each of these categories, place the word from the first set before the one from the second.
For example: 'It will happen and I want it to' = difinó hokó
Questions
What? Questions? Oh, yes.
First, to make a yes-no question, invert the Subject and Verb. (And add a dash in between them.)
For instance:
It is a faerie.
Is-it a faerie?
Kakáku de:
Lo a pikiti.
A-lo pikiti?
IMPORTANT!: There are no articles in Kakáku! Remove them when you translate!
If you would like to make a more complex question, like "Where is the park?" or something, place one of these question words at the beginning of your sentence along with the inversion of the subject and verb:
who = fu
what = fa
when = fe
where = fui
why = fi
how = fua
how much/how many/what quantity = fai
A dash must also be added in between the question word and the verb.
For example:
The park is.
Where-is the park?
Kakáku de:
Ula a.
Fui-a ula?
Commands
The Command form is very simple. All verbs end in 'é'. Leave it as is for simple commands like 'go!' ('iké'!).
If your command includes an object(Give him a gift!), then leave the verb in the infinitive (é) form, and stick the object after it with its appropriate particle. (Oto[direct] vs. Epo[indirect])
So like this:
Give him a gift!
To give a gift oto him epo! or Give him epo a gift oto!
Kakáku de:
Omé feyala oto lo epo! kia Omé lo epo feyala oto!
To form an inclusive command, or a command with a subject, use the normal sentence order(SVO + particles if needed) and just leave the verb in the infinitive. =)
Just like this:
Let's give him a gift!
We to give a gift oto him epo! or We to give him epo a gift oto!
Kakáku de:
Lai omé feyala oto lo epo! kia Lai omé lo epo feyala oto!
Finally, if you just feel like generally bossing people around, the particle "se" can stand alone to mean "Just do it!" or "I command you!". Adding this particle to the end of any of the previous sentences may be used to make the command more, well... commanding. It kind of gives it more emphasis, more "Oomf!", if you will.
Verbs and Personal Pronouns
Well, it seems I've given you a bunch of stuff pertaining to verbs already, so we might as well just get on with it, huh?
Important Note: There is usually only one verb conjugated per clause! The second one must be in the infinitive!
That's not too hard of a concept to grasp, either, because it works pretty much the same way in English.
I like to swim.
See?
Anyway, moving on...
Personal Pronouns
There are only six personal pronouns, and they do not mean what they would in English. For one thing, the entire first person has been removed. That means no 'I' or 'we' appears in Kakáku. Instead, one must use 'this one' or 'these ones'. Yes, you are referring to yourself in third person. In Kakáku, it's normal. The other third person pronouns are 'that one' and 'those ones'. These are similar to 'they' and 'he/she/it'.
There still are two second person pronouns, though. These are literally translated as 'one' and 'ones', but they really do mean 'you' and 'you'(plural). Here's a handy dandy chart in case you didn't read all of that, or want an easier way of organizing it:
First Person
This set does not apply to Kakáku.
Second Person
Singular: lu
Plural: lui
Third Person
Singular referring to self ('this one'): la
Singular referring to others ('that one') : lo
Plural referring to self ('these ones'): lai
Plural referring to others ('those ones'): loi
Verbs
All verbs end in '--é'. To use a verb correctly, replace that 'é' with the appropriate ending. These are the endings:
First Person
Second Person
Singular: --o
Plural: --oi
Third Person
Singular: --a
Plural: --ai
The verb 'to be' is just 'é', so now you know all of its forms.
Here's an example using 'iké' (to go):
First Person
Second Person
Singular: Lu iko
Plural: Lui ikoi
Third Person
Singular: La ika kia Lo ika
Plural: Lai ikai kia Loi ikai
Simple enough, right? Well, I commend you on your effort so far, but now we shall move on to tenses and negation. Ready? Let's begin.
Negation
To negate a verb, simply place the particle 'ni' before it.
For example: The faerie is. vs. The faerie is not.
Kakáku de: Pikiti a. vs. Pikiti ni a.
Tense
As far as tense goes, there are only three: past, present, and future. Every sentence starts out in the present in Kakáku. To form the other tenses, a particle must be added after the verb. (And if you are negating something in the past or future, then place 'ni' before the verb as well.)
The particles are as follows:
Past = fu
Future = pu
Here are some examples, so you may use them correctly:
The faerie is.
The faerie was.
The faerie will be.
---
Pikiti a.
Pikiti a fu.
Pikiti a pu.
Also, compare the negative forms:
The faerie is not.
The faerie was not.
The faerie will not be.
---
Pikiti ni a.
Pikiti ni a fu.
Pikiti ni a pu.
It seems that's all I have to teach you for the moment. Join me again to learn about nouns, adverbs, and adjectives. Farewell until we next meet.
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:28 pm
Grammar Continued
Greetings once again, Kakáku learner. We will now cover nouns and their modifications. Unlike English, nouns and their modifiers are quite easy.
Plurality
Well, first thing's first. To say that there is more than just one of any given noun, simply use Sa-- as a prefix on the noun.
For example: Faerie vs. Faeries = Pikiti vs. Sapikiti
Possession, Adverbs, and Adjectives
That's right, all in one. All of these may be condensed to a single dash in Kakáku. Take the title of this page for an example:
Eyosanula-Sanutua
Eyosanula = magical arts
Sanutua = language (This means literally: 'multiple movements of the tongue', but such archaisms are no longer used.)
So, the title means 'language of the magical arts'
As you may have noticed, the 'of the' relationship is formed by placing a dash between the two words. Further investigation may lead you to even more translations.
The above can mean any of these:
Language of the Magical Arts (Genitive/of the)
Magical Arts' Language (Possessive)
Magical Art Language (Adjective)
The dash may also be applied to adverbs. For example:
I walk quickly. = La sanuko-kúaka.
Let's break that down into separate parts:
La = 3rd person singular referring to self.
sanuko = speed
- = adjective, adverb, possesive, or genitive
kúaka = conjugated form of 'kúaké', 'to walk'
As you may see, nearly everything in Kakáku starts as either a verb or a noun. It's weird, but I feel it's simpler than the English system.
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:40 pm
English - Kakáku Dictionary
be (v.) is defined as: é
direct object (p.) is defined as: oto
Do it! (p.) is defined as: se
faerie (n.) is defined as: pikiti
fairy (n.) is defined as: pikiti
for what cost (iw.) is defined as: fai
gift (n.) is defined as: feyala
give (v.) is defined as: omé
go (v.) is defined as: iké
he (p.p.s.) is defined as: lo
how (iw.) is defined as: fua
how many (iw.) is defined as: fai
how much (iw.) is defined as: fai
I (p.p.s.) is defined as: la
I am indifferent as to whether it happens or not (p.) is defined as: solalá
I command you! (p.) is defined as: se
I don’t know if it will happen (p.) is defined as: kikukú
I don't know whether I want it to happen or not (p.) is defined as: kua
I don't want it to happen (p.) is defined as: eyé
I want it to happen (p.) is defined as: hokó
in (prep.) is defined as: de
indirect object (p.) is defined as: epo
it (p.p.s.) is defined as: lo
it may happen (p.) is defined as: yuluká
it will happen (p.) is defined as: difinó
it will not happen (p.) is defined as: num
or (conj.) is defined as: kia
park (n.) is defined as: ula
present (n.) is defined as: feyala
she (p.p.s.) is defined as: lo
that one (p.p.s.) is defined as: lo
these ones (p.p.pl.) is defined as: lai
they (p.p.pl.) is defined as: loi
this one (p.p.s.) is defined as: la
those ones (p.p.pl.) is defined as: loi
we (p.p.pl.) is defined as: lai
what (iw.) is defined as: fa
when (iw.) is defined as: fe
where (iw.) is defined as: fui
who (iw.) is defined as: fu
why (iw.) is defined as: fi
you (p.p.pl.) is defined as: lui
you (p.p.s.) is defined as: lu
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:43 pm
Kakáku - English Dictionary
de is defined as: in (prep.)
difinó is defined as: it will happen (p.)
é is defined as: be (v.)
epo is defined as: indirect object (p.)
eyé is defined as: I don't want it to happen (p.)
fa is defined as: what (iw.)
fai is defined as: for what cost (iw.)
fai is defined as: how many (iw.)
fai is defined as: how much (iw.)
fe is defined as: when (iw.)
feyala is defined as: gift (n.)
feyala is defined as: present (n.)
fi is defined as: why (iw.)
fu is defined as: who (iw.)
fua is defined as: how (iw.)
fui is defined as: where (iw.)
hokó is defined as: I want it to happen (p.)
iké is defined as: go (v.)
kia is defined as: or (conj.)
kikukú is defined as: I don’t know if it will happen (p.)
kua is defined as: I don't know whether I want it to happen or not (p.)
la is defined as: I (p.p.s.)
la is defined as: this one (p.p.s.)
lai is defined as: these ones (p.p.pl.)
lai is defined as: we (p.p.pl.)
lo is defined as: he (p.p.s.)
lo is defined as: it (p.p.s.)
lo is defined as: she (p.p.s.)
lo is defined as: that one (p.p.s.)
loi is defined as: they (p.p.pl.)
loi is defined as: those ones (p.p.pl.)
lu is defined as: you (p.p.s.)
lui is defined as: you (p.p.pl.)
num is defined as: it will not happen (p.)
omé is defined as: give (v.)
oto is defined as: direct object (p.)
pikiti is defined as: faerie (n.)
pikiti is defined as: fairy (n.)
se is defined as: Do it! (p.)
se is defined as: I command you! (p.)
solalá is defined as: I am indifferent as to whether it happens or not (p.)
ula is defined as: park (n.)
yuluká is defined as: it may happen (p.)
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:46 pm
Lore and Legend
One would think speakers of Kakáku are few and far between, being that most common folk have not heard of the language. But to the Niore, the elves of Nio, Kakáku is all around. The faeries whisper in this tongue to the trees and the rivers. They enchant the forest in which they live so that no one may interrupt its beauty. The fact that I am teaching you now, is quite a privilege. You, my dear reader, are lucky to have found one so versed in the Eyosanula, the magical arts. Use these words with care, for without knowing, humans have unwillingly uttered foreboding curses...
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:50 pm
Kakáku Folktales, Poetry, and Words of Wisdom
Folktales
None yet
Poetry
None yet
Words of Wisdom
Nini omé elúfi epo eyo-lu oto; lu ni kamoo fa lo luhoa pu funa la.
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:52 pm
Kakáku Folktales, Poetry, and Words of Wisdom (With English Translations)
Folktales
None yet
Poetry
None yet
Words of Wisdom
Never give an elf your name; you don't know what they will do with it.
Nini omé elúfi epo eyo-lu oto; lu ni kamoo fa lo luhoa pu funa la.
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:55 pm
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:57 pm
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:00 pm
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:05 pm
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:06 pm
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