Phonology
Phonotactics
High Eldich has a strict syllable structure. The standard syllable in High Eldich is represented by CV where every word must end in either a vowel or a vowel-like consonant. This is simply because of the phonological structure of the consonants avoid being found in weak positions, that is, as a coda. In this sense, a word can only be ended with either a vowel or /r/, /l/, /n/ and /s/.
Sonority Hierarchy
The Sonority Hierarchy of High Eldich is mostly based on the complexity of the subsegmental structure of its elements. More complex segments, which contain more than one element, tend to be found in more onset positions, whereas those which are more simplex can act as part of a branching onset. In High Eldich, since the least complex segments are vowels and the liquids /r/, /l/, /n/, /s/ they will be the only segments which may appear in a branching onset position. In the case of High Eldich, since all consonants are typically headed and complex, they repel each other in the word form. For example /t/ and /p/ are represented by |A ʔ| and |U ʔ| respectively they both repel each other since they both contain |ʔ|. Theoretically, if Eldich were so willing (which it isn’t) the cluster /pt/ would be more permitted than /tp/ for example, since /p/ contains a headed element and /t/ does not. The elemental structure of segments can tell us, however, why /r/, /l/, /n/ and /s/ are allowed to be present in clusters and codas, and why the others are not:
The Sonority Hierarchy of High Eldich is mostly based on the complexity of the subsegmental structure of its elements. More complex segments, which contain more than one element, tend to be found in more onset positions, whereas those which are more simplex can act as part of a branching onset. In High Eldich, since the least complex segments are vowels and the liquids /r/, /l/, /n/, /s/ they will be the only segments which may appear in a branching onset position. In the case of High Eldich, since all consonants are typically headed and complex, they repel each other in the word form. For example /t/ and /p/ are represented by |A ʔ| and |U ʔ| respectively they both repel each other since they both contain |ʔ|. Theoretically, if Eldich were so willing (which it isn’t) the cluster /pt/ would be more permitted than /tp/ for example, since /p/ contains a headed element and /t/ does not. The elemental structure of segments can tell us, however, why /r/, /l/, /n/ and /s/ are allowed to be present in clusters and codas, and why the others are not:
As can be observed from the table, these consonants lack headedness in their subsegmental make up. However, although High Eldich does allow for these to form clusters, it will only allow for much stronger consonants to govern each other. For example a cluster of /nl/ although possible is not permitted since /n/ is not considered stronger enough to govern /l/.
The only clear exception to this rule is /ʋ/ being able to govern /r/. This exception is interesting since it is mainly very ambiguous as there are clear pronunciations of /ʋ/ as [v] in those circumstances, bringing it closer to /f/. This exception is completely lost in the daughter languages which have a very clear contrastive relationship between /v/ and /u/, owing probably to the ambiguity of the situation in High Eldich.
The only clear exception to this rule is /ʋ/ being able to govern /r/. This exception is interesting since it is mainly very ambiguous as there are clear pronunciations of /ʋ/ as [v] in those circumstances, bringing it closer to /f/. This exception is completely lost in the daughter languages which have a very clear contrastive relationship between /v/ and /u/, owing probably to the ambiguity of the situation in High Eldich.
Consonant Clusters
Due to the strict syllable structure, there are only a very few combinations that consonants can have with each other.
Initial Clusters
The two really outstanding initial clusters which occur in High Eldich are /ʋr/ and /tʋ/:
vru [ʋru] “cold”
tvini ['tʋini] “spider”
However, it is also common to find /r/ being part of an initial cluster:
prenda ['prenda] “hello”
Medial Clusters
The majority of the medial clusters are usually a combination of a nasal consonant (which is regressively assimilated) and a stop:
elonantê [elo'nante] “king” (appositional case)
andu ['andu] “star”
lincho ['liŋko] “path”
However, there are some which combine the lateral approximant with another stop:
alto ['alto] “camp”
elda ['elda] “eld”
There are two other common medial clusters, namely /rn/ and /st/:
aste ['aste] “sister”
arodérne [aro'derne] “to live”
Due to the strict syllable structure, there are only a very few combinations that consonants can have with each other.
Initial Clusters
The two really outstanding initial clusters which occur in High Eldich are /ʋr/ and /tʋ/:
vru [ʋru] “cold”
tvini ['tʋini] “spider”
However, it is also common to find /r/ being part of an initial cluster:
prenda ['prenda] “hello”
Medial Clusters
The majority of the medial clusters are usually a combination of a nasal consonant (which is regressively assimilated) and a stop:
elonantê [elo'nante] “king” (appositional case)
andu ['andu] “star”
lincho ['liŋko] “path”
However, there are some which combine the lateral approximant with another stop:
alto ['alto] “camp”
elda ['elda] “eld”
There are two other common medial clusters, namely /rn/ and /st/:
aste ['aste] “sister”
arodérne [aro'derne] “to live”
Gemination
Gemination in High Eldich is where a consonant is held for a longer amount time than usual rather than being broken up by syllabically. The only consonants which are allowed to be geminated are: /r/, /l/, /n/, /m/ and /s/.
verro [ver:o] “chair”
allé ['al:e] “ahead”
annín ['an:i:n] “fruit”
assé [as:e] “than”
lammathi [lam:aθi] “he tied”
Geminate consonants occupy two skeletal points:
Gemination in High Eldich is where a consonant is held for a longer amount time than usual rather than being broken up by syllabically. The only consonants which are allowed to be geminated are: /r/, /l/, /n/, /m/ and /s/.
verro [ver:o] “chair”
allé ['al:e] “ahead”
annín ['an:i:n] “fruit”
assé [as:e] “than”
lammathi [lam:aθi] “he tied”
Geminate consonants occupy two skeletal points:
Prosody & Stress
In regards to prosody, High Eldich was a syllable-timed language, meaning that, regardless of syllable stress or weight, it would be held for the same average amount of time. The stress was absolute and regular and did not respond either grammar or syllable weight, falling always on the first syllable of each foot. The primary stress fell on the rightest foot of the word, or in other words the penultimate syllable. Secondary stress would always fall on the first syllable of the second rightest foot. This is known as a trochaic stress:
barani
[ba.('ra.ni)]
“beast”
anarosi
[ana.('ro.si)]
“ancestor”
santiantammar
[san.tjan('ta.mar)]
“I was eating it”
aginón pé valami sidhir, ili visenus avi jhahuematiantar
[a.('ginon) pe ʋa.('la.mi) ('si.ðir) ('i.li) ʋi'se.nus 'a.ʋi ('ʒa.xʋe) ma('tjantar)]
“I saw the sun on the river, and felt the wind in the flowers”
In regards to prosody, High Eldich was a syllable-timed language, meaning that, regardless of syllable stress or weight, it would be held for the same average amount of time. The stress was absolute and regular and did not respond either grammar or syllable weight, falling always on the first syllable of each foot. The primary stress fell on the rightest foot of the word, or in other words the penultimate syllable. Secondary stress would always fall on the first syllable of the second rightest foot. This is known as a trochaic stress:
barani
[ba.('ra.ni)]
“beast”
anarosi
[ana.('ro.si)]
“ancestor”
santiantammar
[san.tjan('ta.mar)]
“I was eating it”
aginón pé valami sidhir, ili visenus avi jhahuematiantar
[a.('ginon) pe ʋa.('la.mi) ('si.ðir) ('i.li) ʋi'se.nus 'a.ʋi ('ʒa.xʋe) ma('tjantar)]
“I saw the sun on the river, and felt the wind in the flowers”