Phonology
Consonant Gradation
A fundamental part of High Eldich’s morphophonology is its consonant gradation. This happens when the final consonant of a root mutates to a different consonant in order to play its grammatical role. In High Eldich, this mostly occurs with nouns and verbs, but it is also presence in adjectives and adverbs. Although these changes are, on the whole, mostly regular and predicable, they can be tricky to understand and follow since different rules apply to different consonants in different situations. For example, final -s does not change in nominal mutation, however it becomes -sh in verbal apophony. In addition, there are also irregular nouns and verbs which yield unpredictable outcomes.
Nominal Gradation
In the nominal system, since there are up to twelve cases a noun can decline for (and thirteen in total), the noun mutates based on the cases. Cases are grouped into three categories: grammatical, adverbial and relational which all have a corresponding grade: Grade I, Grade II and Grade III respectively. Occasionally, they can be referred to as the grammatical, adverbial and relational grades. Grade I is generally the default root of the noun which is unmutated and the consonant remains the same. For Grade II, the final consonant generally goes through lenition or fricativisation and Grade III involves some kind of palatalisation.
Not all consonants will go through the same mutation however. Those which have single final-consonant roots which are affected by the mutation are those which are stop-final; fricatives rarely go through mutation. There are also special rules, owing to High Eldich’s strict phonotactics, for consonant clusters.
Basic Roots
Those roots which end in only one consonant which is a stop will go through a process of lenition:
mit- “mother” (grade I) → mith- (grade II) → mith- (grade III)
As can be observed, the final -t [t] has been lenited to -th [θ]. In other cases, the lenition might be less obvious, for example with final -n, the mutation is the following:
elon- “king” (grade I) → elom- (grade II) → elonh- (grade III)
In this case, the final -n [n] has mutated twice, first into -m [m] and then to -nh [ɲ]. In these two cases, the mutation has been regular and predictable. Here is a chart of the consonants which undergo two mutations:
In the nominal system, since there are up to twelve cases a noun can decline for (and thirteen in total), the noun mutates based on the cases. Cases are grouped into three categories: grammatical, adverbial and relational which all have a corresponding grade: Grade I, Grade II and Grade III respectively. Occasionally, they can be referred to as the grammatical, adverbial and relational grades. Grade I is generally the default root of the noun which is unmutated and the consonant remains the same. For Grade II, the final consonant generally goes through lenition or fricativisation and Grade III involves some kind of palatalisation.
Not all consonants will go through the same mutation however. Those which have single final-consonant roots which are affected by the mutation are those which are stop-final; fricatives rarely go through mutation. There are also special rules, owing to High Eldich’s strict phonotactics, for consonant clusters.
Basic Roots
Those roots which end in only one consonant which is a stop will go through a process of lenition:
mit- “mother” (grade I) → mith- (grade II) → mith- (grade III)
As can be observed, the final -t [t] has been lenited to -th [θ]. In other cases, the lenition might be less obvious, for example with final -n, the mutation is the following:
elon- “king” (grade I) → elom- (grade II) → elonh- (grade III)
In this case, the final -n [n] has mutated twice, first into -m [m] and then to -nh [ɲ]. In these two cases, the mutation has been regular and predictable. Here is a chart of the consonants which undergo two mutations:
miap- “fear” (grade I) → miaf- (grade II) → mias- (grade III)
alad- “clothes” (grade I) → aladh- (grade II) → aladh- (grade III)
bach- “milk” (grade I) → bah- (grade II) → bash- (grade III)
thug- “belt” (grade I) → thugh- (grade II) → thujh- (grade III)
elon- “king” (grade I) → elom- (grade II) → elonh- (grade III)
alad- “clothes” (grade I) → aladh- (grade II) → aladh- (grade III)
bach- “milk” (grade I) → bah- (grade II) → bash- (grade III)
thug- “belt” (grade I) → thugh- (grade II) → thujh- (grade III)
elon- “king” (grade I) → elom- (grade II) → elonh- (grade III)
For the other consonant endings, both Grade II and Grade III are the same:
rob- “food” (grade I) → rov- (grade II) → rov- (grade III)
mit- “mother” (grade I) → mith- (grade II) → mith- (grade III)
fel- “castle” (grade I) → felh- (grade II) → felh- (grade III)
ter- “chair” (grade I) → terr- (grade II) → terr- (grade III)
ray- “vagueness” (grade I) → rajh- (grade II) → rajh- (grade III)
mit- “mother” (grade I) → mith- (grade II) → mith- (grade III)
fel- “castle” (grade I) → felh- (grade II) → felh- (grade III)
ter- “chair” (grade I) → terr- (grade II) → terr- (grade III)
ray- “vagueness” (grade I) → rajh- (grade II) → rajh- (grade III)
Cluster Mutations
As has been discussed in the Phonology section, High Eldich has strict phonotactics. In many cases therefore, a mutation involving the same patterns as above would result in an illegal cluster in High Eldich, for instance ent- “person” would result in *enth- which is not permitted. Therefore consonants clusters have their own mutations. However in the majority of cases, the mutation only occurs in the grade III while grade I and II are identical. The exception to this rule is the cluster -st [st]:
As has been discussed in the Phonology section, High Eldich has strict phonotactics. In many cases therefore, a mutation involving the same patterns as above would result in an illegal cluster in High Eldich, for instance ent- “person” would result in *enth- which is not permitted. Therefore consonants clusters have their own mutations. However in the majority of cases, the mutation only occurs in the grade III while grade I and II are identical. The exception to this rule is the cluster -st [st]:
ent- “person” (grade I) → ent- (grade II) → ess- (grade III)
and- “star” (grade I) → and- (grade II) → ann- (grade III)
dench- “hedge” (grade I) → dench- (grade II) → deng- (grade III)
lanp- “attempt” (grade I) → lamm- (grade II) → lamm- (grade III)
alt- “camp” (grade I) → alt- (grade II) → all- (grade III)
ast- “sister” (grade I) → ass- (grade II) → ash- (grade III)
and- “star” (grade I) → and- (grade II) → ann- (grade III)
dench- “hedge” (grade I) → dench- (grade II) → deng- (grade III)
lanp- “attempt” (grade I) → lamm- (grade II) → lamm- (grade III)
alt- “camp” (grade I) → alt- (grade II) → all- (grade III)
ast- “sister” (grade I) → ass- (grade II) → ash- (grade III)
No Mutation
Any other consonant or cluster which comes at the end of a root will not change. These include: -f [f], -v [ʋ], -th [θ], -dh [ð], -jh [ʒ], -sh [ʃ], -h [x], -m [m], -nh [ɲ], -ng [ŋ], -lh [ʎ] and -s [s]; also the clusters: -ld, and any cluster which begins in r- [r]. These will not mutate for any grade.
Any other consonant or cluster which comes at the end of a root will not change. These include: -f [f], -v [ʋ], -th [θ], -dh [ð], -jh [ʒ], -sh [ʃ], -h [x], -m [m], -nh [ɲ], -ng [ŋ], -lh [ʎ] and -s [s]; also the clusters: -ld, and any cluster which begins in r- [r]. These will not mutate for any grade.
Verbal Gradation
Verbal mutation is essential for defining a verb’s imperfective and perfective stem. Verbs have a total of five tenses, three of which are imperfective and two of which are perfective. A verb derives its perfective stem when it goes through consonant mutation similar to the nominal system. Unlike the nominal system, where there are three grades, verbs only have an imperfective stem and a perfective stem. Since verbal gradation is much lesser than the nominal, the mutations are relatively simple. However, as with nouns, there are exceptions and unpredictable mutations which crop up, especially with irregular verbs.
Verbal mutation is essential for defining a verb’s imperfective and perfective stem. Verbs have a total of five tenses, three of which are imperfective and two of which are perfective. A verb derives its perfective stem when it goes through consonant mutation similar to the nominal system. Unlike the nominal system, where there are three grades, verbs only have an imperfective stem and a perfective stem. Since verbal gradation is much lesser than the nominal, the mutations are relatively simple. However, as with nouns, there are exceptions and unpredictable mutations which crop up, especially with irregular verbs.
Basic Roots
Similar to the nominal system, final consonants in the verbal root will generally be a stop which then goes through lenition to produce the perfective stem:
leb- “desire” (imperfective) → lev- (perfective)
In other cases, the basic root for the imperfective will generally follow the same as the Grade III palatalisation for the perfective stem:
ten- “speak” (imperfective) → tenh- (perfective)
Here is a full chart of the mutations which affect the basic stem:
Similar to the nominal system, final consonants in the verbal root will generally be a stop which then goes through lenition to produce the perfective stem:
leb- “desire” (imperfective) → lev- (perfective)
In other cases, the basic root for the imperfective will generally follow the same as the Grade III palatalisation for the perfective stem:
ten- “speak” (imperfective) → tenh- (perfective)
Here is a full chart of the mutations which affect the basic stem:
leb- “desire” (imperfective) → lev- (perfective)
muip- “ring” (imperfective) → muif- (perfective)
dalat- “understand” (imperfective) → dalath- (perfective)
god- “kiss” (imperfective) → godh- (perfective)
lich- “close” (imperfective) → lih- (perfective)
hig- “follow” (imperfective) → hijh- (perfective)
pan- “come” (imperfective) → panh- (perfective)
hol “scorn” (imperfective) → holh- (perfective)
nether- “imagine” (imperfective) → netherr- (perfective)
es- “hate” (imperfective) → esh- (perfective)
lay- “ride” (imperfective) → lajh- (perfective)
muip- “ring” (imperfective) → muif- (perfective)
dalat- “understand” (imperfective) → dalath- (perfective)
god- “kiss” (imperfective) → godh- (perfective)
lich- “close” (imperfective) → lih- (perfective)
hig- “follow” (imperfective) → hijh- (perfective)
pan- “come” (imperfective) → panh- (perfective)
hol “scorn” (imperfective) → holh- (perfective)
nether- “imagine” (imperfective) → netherr- (perfective)
es- “hate” (imperfective) → esh- (perfective)
lay- “ride” (imperfective) → lajh- (perfective)
Cluster Mutations
As in the nominal system, the verbal mutations also have different rules for consonant clusters due to the language’s phonotactics. However, with verbs, there only three clusters which are affected:
As in the nominal system, the verbal mutations also have different rules for consonant clusters due to the language’s phonotactics. However, with verbs, there only three clusters which are affected:
ond- “sin” (imperfective) → onn- (perfective)
hist- “bow” (imperfective) → hish- (perfective)
lanp- “try” (imperfective) → lamm- (perfective
hist- “bow” (imperfective) → hish- (perfective)
lanp- “try” (imperfective) → lamm- (perfective
No Mutation
Again, as with the nominal mutation, any other consonant or cluster which comes at the end of a root will not change. These include: -f [f], -v [ʋ], -th [θ], -dh [ð], -jh [ʒ], -sh [ʃ], -h [x], -m [m], -nh [ɲ], -ng [ŋ], -lh [ʎ]. This also includes all other clusters.
Again, as with the nominal mutation, any other consonant or cluster which comes at the end of a root will not change. These include: -f [f], -v [ʋ], -th [θ], -dh [ð], -jh [ʒ], -sh [ʃ], -h [x], -m [m], -nh [ɲ], -ng [ŋ], -lh [ʎ]. This also includes all other clusters.
Adjectival Mutation
Adjectives, as a general rule, do not undergo mutation in the same grammaticalised way which affect both verbs and nouns. Although they decline for the same cases and have comparative forms, adjectival mutation is more lexical and less predictable. As there are different paradigms of adjectives, determined by their ending, adjectives will take Grade II or Grade III so it able differentiable from another adjective or even another noun. For instance, elat- “choose” exist as elatan “choosy” and elassal “eligible”. This type of mutation is not regular or predictable by comes about as an act of lexical derivation.
Adjectives, as a general rule, do not undergo mutation in the same grammaticalised way which affect both verbs and nouns. Although they decline for the same cases and have comparative forms, adjectival mutation is more lexical and less predictable. As there are different paradigms of adjectives, determined by their ending, adjectives will take Grade II or Grade III so it able differentiable from another adjective or even another noun. For instance, elat- “choose” exist as elatan “choosy” and elassal “eligible”. This type of mutation is not regular or predictable by comes about as an act of lexical derivation.
Mutation Elsewhere
Mutation, although only widely used as seen with nouns and verbs, is apparent in derivation. Many of the nominal declensions beyond the 5th paradigm, often use mutation to take the ending:
elona “king” → elonhita “nobility”
In this case, the noun’s final consonant has been mutated in Grade III in order to create a new word. Again, like with adjectives, this process is unpredictable and is usually up to speakers to decided which to take. However, some suffixes, which are used for derivation, will have general patterns which are predictable. For example, the process suffix -ssón, part of the 7th declension, usually goes with either Grade I or Grade II:
belib- “abhor” → belivossón “abhorrence”
chan- “destroy” → chanhossón “destruction”
lod- “stand” → lodhissón “position”
There are also some mutations which are suffix specific such as the diminutive -il- which changes to -ish- in Grade II. These mutations are not rules however and there are many exceptions.
Mutation, although only widely used as seen with nouns and verbs, is apparent in derivation. Many of the nominal declensions beyond the 5th paradigm, often use mutation to take the ending:
elona “king” → elonhita “nobility”
In this case, the noun’s final consonant has been mutated in Grade III in order to create a new word. Again, like with adjectives, this process is unpredictable and is usually up to speakers to decided which to take. However, some suffixes, which are used for derivation, will have general patterns which are predictable. For example, the process suffix -ssón, part of the 7th declension, usually goes with either Grade I or Grade II:
belib- “abhor” → belivossón “abhorrence”
chan- “destroy” → chanhossón “destruction”
lod- “stand” → lodhissón “position”
There are also some mutations which are suffix specific such as the diminutive -il- which changes to -ish- in Grade II. These mutations are not rules however and there are many exceptions.
Accounting for Consonant Mutation
There are set morphophonological reasons for why consonant mutation takes places in High Eldich and it has to do with spread of elements from one segment to another. This mutation would have begun long before even Ancient Eldich, but the patterns still follow the same phonological logic. The examples from the grammaticalisation of the consonant mutation serving as part of the grammar is where my motivation for using Element Theory comes, since, instead of purely relying on constraints, the use of elements allowed the Elds to be more active in forming their grammar and in constructing it from an aesthetic point of view. In High Eldich, as mentioned, there are three grades: grammatical, which the root consonant is left unchanged; adverbial, where there is the first shift which is often one of lenition, and; the relational. These two shifts are accounted for in the suffixes which they take.
There are set morphophonological reasons for why consonant mutation takes places in High Eldich and it has to do with spread of elements from one segment to another. This mutation would have begun long before even Ancient Eldich, but the patterns still follow the same phonological logic. The examples from the grammaticalisation of the consonant mutation serving as part of the grammar is where my motivation for using Element Theory comes, since, instead of purely relying on constraints, the use of elements allowed the Elds to be more active in forming their grammar and in constructing it from an aesthetic point of view. In High Eldich, as mentioned, there are three grades: grammatical, which the root consonant is left unchanged; adverbial, where there is the first shift which is often one of lenition, and; the relational. These two shifts are accounted for in the suffixes which they take.
Adverbial Grade & |H| Spreading
The Adverbial grade is first shift where stops are weakened to fricatives and liquids have their own unique changes. Within all the adverbial case suffixes, there is geminate /s/. The makeup of /s/ is |A H| and is essentially weak (since it has no head). However, as it is geminated, it occupies two skeleton points and is effectively made segmentally stronger; the |H| becomes headed |A H|. This headedness is lost however when it spreads:
The Adverbial grade is first shift where stops are weakened to fricatives and liquids have their own unique changes. Within all the adverbial case suffixes, there is geminate /s/. The makeup of /s/ is |A H| and is essentially weak (since it has no head). However, as it is geminated, it occupies two skeleton points and is effectively made segmentally stronger; the |H| becomes headed |A H|. This headedness is lost however when it spreads:
This effectively makes it able to influence other consonants, and this is exactly what happens. The mutation which occurs from stop to fricative, for example /p/ to /f/, involves the spreading of the |H| element from /s/. This also results in the suppression of the |ʔ| element, which isn’t headed:
This occurs with all the stop consonants and is generally known as | ʔ| suppression. In many cases, it looks like the resulting element from the spreading is actually already representing some other phoneme. For instance, with the |H| spreading from /t/ to /θ/ is elementally from |A ʔ| to |A H| which are the elements for /s/. The reason why, although containing the same elements, |A H| for /s/ is actually phonetically different from /θ/ but this is not necessarily shown in the phonology. So, even though they share the same phonological structure, they are realised differently since they have come about from different processes. Additionally, as with /n/ > /m/, the elemental structure for /m/ is completely different from the mutated form. This is purely due to the phonetic realisation. Here is a table with the list of mutations:
When it comes to liquids however, the story is a little more complicated, but essentially the same principles hold as according to /s/ and the spreading of elements. As mentioned above, the /n/ to /m/ mutation isn’t as obvious since, firstly, /m/ contains |L ʔ U| where the |U| is headed and /n/ contains no headed elements whatsoever. In this case, the mutation has created an entirely new realisation of /n/ which is simply pronounced phonetically as [m]. Moreover, /l/ has |A I| and its mutation is the palatal /ʎ/ which contains |A I|, however due to the |H| spreading, /l/ becomes |A U H| which is phonetically interpretated as [ʎ]. For /r/, since both |A H| indicates a geminate /s/, /r/ also geminates:
Relational Grade & |I| Spreading
Grade III, the relational, is used for the sociative/instrumental, casual and benefactive cases. Unlike the |H| spreading from geminate /s/ in the Adverbial grade, there is no obvious underlying marker which triggers this mutation. It is simply because in two cases, it has been lost and only shows up in the casual case -chê. In Ancient Eldich, the sociative case was marked with *-ní [-niː] and the benefactive with *-í [-iː]. These two suffixes have disappeared, however their phonological implications still continue as they both possess headed |I|. It was this element which spread to the consonants causing them to shift grades to more palatalised consonants.
The changes for the mutation to Grade III affect the resulting consonants from Grade II. For example, with the root vrap- [ʋrap-] “hammer”, in Grade II is has undergone |H| spreading to produce vraf- [ʋraf-]. Since the fricativisation is still present in the next shift, which is palatalising, the |H| element is already presence in the Grade II consonant when the |I| spreads. In the case of vraf- [ʋraf-], the |I| element spreads and makes the final consonant palatal, in this case, vras- [ʋras-].
Grade III, the relational, is used for the sociative/instrumental, casual and benefactive cases. Unlike the |H| spreading from geminate /s/ in the Adverbial grade, there is no obvious underlying marker which triggers this mutation. It is simply because in two cases, it has been lost and only shows up in the casual case -chê. In Ancient Eldich, the sociative case was marked with *-ní [-niː] and the benefactive with *-í [-iː]. These two suffixes have disappeared, however their phonological implications still continue as they both possess headed |I|. It was this element which spread to the consonants causing them to shift grades to more palatalised consonants.
The changes for the mutation to Grade III affect the resulting consonants from Grade II. For example, with the root vrap- [ʋrap-] “hammer”, in Grade II is has undergone |H| spreading to produce vraf- [ʋraf-]. Since the fricativisation is still present in the next shift, which is palatalising, the |H| element is already presence in the Grade II consonant when the |I| spreads. In the case of vraf- [ʋraf-], the |I| element spreads and makes the final consonant palatal, in this case, vras- [ʋras-].
As can be observed above, the |U| element has been suppressed, even though it is headed. Since the [iː] which triggers the mutation is long, the |I| is headed and, similarly to headed |H| in geminate [sː], it suppresses the other resonance elements in the expression, making the result completely palatal:
For the other consonants which do not change from Grade II to Grade III, the |I| spreading doesn’t occur. |I| spreading is also responsible for the mutations which occur in the verbal mutations.