Zurvár
From Langmaker
| Conlang | Zurv%26#225;r |
| Author | James Nicholls |
| Year Began | 1993 |
| Language Type | fictional language |
| Lexicon Size | 593 |
| Etymologies | No |
| Grammar | Yes |
| Sample Texts | No |
| Primer | No |
Zurvár, the language of the nomadic, maritime Zurvár (Surf) people., was designed by James Nicholls. It has been used for a translation of the Babel Text. It is written with a unique script.
Language sources
In terms of grammar, English (the only language I speak) and my own diseased imaginings. In terms of sounds, Adûnaic, Khuzdul, Biblical Hebrew, Irish Gaelic and anything else I stumble across and like the sound of.
Design principles
An underlying concept of Zurvár is a once complex and rigid language fallen into a state of, if not decay, then certainly much more casual usage. Another is that it's been exposed to many other languages throughout its history and absorbed both words and grammar from them. There are also a number of more recent German and Finnish loanwords (typically for animal and plant names respectively).
Interest of others
Only long-suffering friends on whom I continually foist the latest developments. They smile, nod and change the subject.
Sample translation
Peveliskàet msà barat pevsubilim, subilim lòtò holateláet toklas. Dò pevre'loklet lâraz barat, sà pevramaskátá talabon.
(past)dream-I us sea (past)on, on boat (transitive)sink fast. You (past)sail across ocean, I (past)tie-up(experience) mast.
I dreamt that we were at sea, on a boat that was sinking fast. You sailed across the ocean, I was tied to the mast.
| Langmaker Motto |
|---|
| Dò meletak sìan belgotlá várnád - linyak belfom ná! |
| Share the secret vice, invent a language! |
