Sources of Inspiration
Noting exists in isolation; a language least of all. Here are some of the real-world languages that inspired parts of Shabkiuza.
- Phrasal verbs: These were my starting place. I became interested in the idea that English has hundreds of verbs consisting of a verb and a particle (preposition or adverb) that formed a unit; for example, "to look up (something)" or "switch on (something)." In Latin, however, the same thing was accomplished through the use of a prefix. For example, the Latin postpōnere, to postpone, meant literally "to put after." Thus, I conceived of a language in which both positions were possible, as a verbal prefix and as an adposition.
- Cases: Since nouns are invariant, there is not a true case system in Shabkiuza. As far as a…
The Start of Shabkiuza
Shabkiuza is a great example of connecting the dots. I had an idea for a language, but didn't have a culture for it to be spoken by. I had written a story which featured a constructed language, but I had not developed it beyond a handful of phrases. The conclusion should have been obvious, but in fact it took a lot longer than it should have... they were tailor made for each other.
In creating this language, I'm more interested in features that are interesting rather that features that are natural. I haven't set out to specifically violate any language universals, but nor am I insistent that there exist any real-world language which instantiates the features I'm using. My in-world explanation is that the language is highly regulated by…