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Project Alamarri: Expanding the Alamarri Language

Summary:

This is a project to create a conlang for the Alamarri languages of the Dragon Age universe. This will include a main language, as well as sub-dialects for Avvar and Chasind languages. This particular work is a compendium of all my major posts on the project from my tumblr.

Chapter 1: Alamarri Introduction

Chapter Text

Alamarri is the language spoken by the Avvar and other Alamarri tribes throughout Fereldan and other areas of Thedas. This language would eventually become English / Fereldan.

It is based upon Proto-Germanic and Old English, with the intent of sounding similar to English while sounding like a new language (I.e. I just didn't want to rehash old english). 

An example of the language:

Gretanen, fremdi. Ik wilcuma thi su min stede. Ofrag thi bledsungdren eb Haakon Wentrsbræt ond di Tiweshlefdi. 

Greetings, stranger. I welcome you to my place. I offer you the blessings of Haakon Wintersbreath and the Lady of the Sky. 

 

Alamarri is a bit of an anomaly. It is the primary parent language of Fereldan/English (the secondary parent language being Tevene), and is one of the sibling languages of Ander (both Alamarri and Ander would have come from a proto-neromenian language). It has many words that are very similar to English/Fereldan, sometimes both in spelling and pronunciation. However, these words are different enough that English speakers may find the variations slightly confusing at first. 

Additionally, this language is based upon Old English and Proto-Germanic, so English words that take their etymology from French, Latin, Spanish, etc, will not have analogues. There will instead be words that are based upon their Old English or Proto-Germanic equivalent that may sound confusing to an English speaker (such as stefn for 'voice' or ondwlid for 'face'). Pronunciation is also slightly confusing (and I will be making a post about phonology and pronunciation in the near future, although it may not be until I finish more on Elvish and begin working on Alamarri in earnest).

 

ALAMARRI OVERVIEW:

Alamarri is the language of the Alamarri tribes. A sibling language to Ander, and Neromenian, Alamarri is one of the oldest living languages in Thedas. In many Alamarri tribes, the Alamarri language has become a ceremonial language, taking a back-seat to the much more common trade tongue. Only two major Alamarri tribes still speak Alamarri as a primary language: The Avvar and The Chasind.

Each Alamarri tribe has their own dialect of the Alamarri language, with some being different enough to be considered a new language. None of the languages are different enough, however, that speakers of different dialects cannot understand each other. 

The Chasind dialect is quite different from the Avvar dialect, yet Chasind and Avvar can understand each other with relative ease. 

The Alamarri conlang is based upon proto-germanic, old english and gaulish, with a little bit of welsh thrown in for good measure.

The Dialects of Alamarri:

Alamarri Proper / Spæcir Dens: This is the primary dialect, and the official language of the Clayne tribes. However, this language is rarely spoken any longer, given that most clayne tribes that haven’t assimilated into Ferelden have still adopted the trade tongue as their primary language. Therefore, Alamarri Proper (or Spæcir Dens - Valley speech), is mostly relegated to ceremonial purposes. Most non-assimilated clayne that are fluent in the language would be so because of cultural reasons, not because they used it as a primary day-to-day language. 

Avvar / Spæcir Hehrocs: This is the dialect of Alamarri that is the native language of the Avvar tribes. Whether or not this is the day-to-day language of a tribe depends entirely on that tribes location in relation to major fereldan cities. Those Avvar tribes that trade regularly with outsiders are more likely to adopt the trade tongue as their primary language, whereas the more isolated tribes are more likely to retain the Avvar language (or Spæcir Hehrocs - Mountain Speech) as their primary language.

Chasind / Spæcir Wüdsz: This is the dialect of Alamarri that is the native language of the Chasind tribes. Most Chasind tribes chose to forgoe learning the trade tongue in favor of retaining their native language. While many Chasind tribes do have members who are fluent in the trade tongue, Chasind (or Spæcir Wüdsz - Forest speech) has not been replaced as their primary language.

Relationship with Other Langauges:

Alamarri is a sibling language to Ander and Neromenian. Neromenian is a dead language and was spoken by the Neromenian tribes. It was one of many languages, along with Qarinic that was replaced by Ancient Tevene during the formation of the Tevinter Imperium. Alamarri is also related to Qarinic and Ancient Tevene, as the parent languages of all of them evolved from the same Proto-Language (Proto Neromenian).