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{{privatelang}}
'''Letaale''' [leˈtaːle] is a constructed secret language used by ''tahu'', members of the ''tagahu'', a secretive and technologically advanced male-only military government ruling the known parts of the space habitat Oru. Little is known of the designer(s) of the language however its use follows a long tradition. It is taught to all ''hiitaahii'' (boys who are raised to be tahu) from a young age, adhering to a strict prescriptive standard. As far as is known, all speakers are male and all are also fluent in [[Guaru]], generally speaking both natively. In informal situations, many tahu engage in extensive code switching.
'''Letaale''' [leˈtaːle] is a constructed secret language used by ''tahu'', members of the ''tagahu'', a secretive and technologically advanced male-only military government ruling the known parts of the space habitat Oru. Little is known of the designer(s) of the language however its use follows a long tradition. It is taught to all ''hiitaahii'' (boys who are raised to be tahu) from a young age, adhering to a strict prescriptive standard. As far as is known, all speakers are male and all are also fluent in [[Guaru]], generally speaking both natively. In informal situations, many tahu engage in extensive code switching.


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==Name==
==Name==


The name Letaale comes from trisyllabic lemma '''''letaale''''' literally meaning "the Letaale speaker speaks Letaale". This is not the name of the language as such but is used to refer to speaking the language, as in '''''nemaane''''' ("I speak Letaale"). The name of the language in Letaale, although used rarely, is '''''xialetaale''''' [ʔialeˈtaːle], which uses the identifier prefix ''xia-'' for abstract things.
The name Letaale comes from the trisyllabic lemma '''''letaale''''' literally meaning "the Letaale speaker speaks Letaale". This is not the name of the language as such but is used to refer to speaking the language, as in '''''nemaane''''' ("I speak Letaale"). The name of the language in Letaale, although used rarely, is '''''xialetaale''''' [ʔialeˈtaːle], which uses the identifier prefix ''xia-'' for abstract things.


In the [[Guaru]] language, Letaale is known as ''guaru ttahu'' [ˈŋuaɾu ˈtːahu] or simply "language of the tahu". It is also known as  ''uoriuo'' [ˈ(ʔ)uoɾiˌuo]. This is probably borrowed from the word '''''volivo''''' [ˈvolivo]~[ˈwoɾiwo] which is essentially the accusative form of "you" (literally "you are physically affected") as this may be a word that is heard in interactions with the ''tagahu''.
In the [[Guaru]] language, Letaale is known as ''guaru ttahu'' [ˈŋuaɾu ˈtːahu] or simply "language of the tahu". It is also known as  ''uoriuo'' [ˈ(ʔ)uoɾiˌuo]. This is probably borrowed from the word '''''volivo''''' [ˈvolivo]~[ˈwoɾiwo] which is essentially the accusative form of "you" (literally "you are physically affected") as this may be a word that is heard in interactions with the ''tagahu''.
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|- align=center
|- align=center
! Plosive  
! Plosive  
| || t || || k || ʔ
| || t~d || || k~g || ʔ
! ⟨ t k x ⟩
! ⟨ t k x ⟩
|- align=center
|- align=center
! Fricative  
! Fricative  
| v || s || ʒ || || h
| rowspan=2 | v~w
! ⟨ v s j h ⟩
| s~z
| rowspan=2 | ʒ~j
| || h
! rowspan=2 | ⟨ v s j h ⟩
|- align=center
|- align=center
! Lateral
! Semivowel
| || l || || ||
| || ||
|- align=center
! Liquid
| || l~ɾ || || ||
! ⟨ l ⟩
! ⟨ l ⟩
|}
|}
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* All of /n t l/ are usually dental but may also be alveolar.
* All of /n t l/ are usually dental but may also be alveolar.
* Both /t/ and /k/ are unaspirated.   
* Both /t/ and /k/ are unaspirated.   
* The consonants /t k s/ may be pronounced as voiced /d g z/, especially when non-initial.
* The consonants /t k s/ may be pronounced as voiced [d g z], especially when non-initial.
* /v/ has a wide range of pronunciation, being essentially anywhere in the realm of [v β ʋ w] although it generally tightens towards [β] or [v] when either of the adjacent vowels is is /u/. It may be romanised as either ⟨v⟩ or ⟨w⟩. The former is used here.
* /v/ has a wide range of pronunciation, being essentially anywhere in the realm of [v β ʋ w] although it generally tightens towards [β] or [v] when either of the adjacent vowels is is /u/. It may be romanised as either ⟨v⟩ or ⟨w⟩. The former is used here.
* /ʒ/ likewise has a range of pronunciations, somewhere in the viscinity of [j ʝ ʑ ʒ ʐ]. When either of the adjacent vowels is /i/, /ʒ/ is usually pronounced tenser and with more friction, further from [j] or [ʝ].
* /ʒ/ likewise has a range of pronunciations, somewhere in the viscinity of [j ʝ ʑ ʒ ʐ]. When either of the adjacent vowels is /i/, /ʒ/ is usually pronounced tenser and with more friction, further from [j] or [ʝ].
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===Prosody===
===Prosody===


Word stress falls on the last long vowel or diphthong in a word. If all the vowels are short, stress falls on the initial syllable. Prefixes and initial clitics, all of which contain a diphthong other than /ai/, are never stressed.
In words without a prefix or infix, word stress falls on the last long vowel or diphthong in a word. If all the vowels are short, stress falls on the first syllable. Prefixes, all of which contain a secondary vowel (i.e. a diphthong other than /ai/), are never stressed. Infixes are placed immediately following the stressed vowel in a word. They are generally unstressed, but when emphasised will "steal" the word stress from the preceding syllable.


==Morphophonology==
==Morphophonology==
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All trisyllabic lemmas are composed of three of the resulting syllables. For example '''''jotaale''''' is allowable as a lemma whereas '''''jitaale''''' is not because '''j''' and '''i''' are not a pair.
All trisyllabic lemmas are composed of three of the resulting syllables. For example '''''jotaale''''' is allowable as a lemma whereas '''''jitaale''''' is not because '''j''' and '''i''' are not a pair.


Secondary vowels are not associated with any particular consonant and only appear in clitics and identifier prefixes. These prefixes are always unstressed.
Secondary vowels are not associated with any particular consonant and only appear in infixes and identifier prefixes. These prefixes are always unstressed.


==Morphology==
==Morphology==
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|+ '''Trisyllabic roots'''
|+ '''Trisyllabic roots'''
|-
|-
! Lemma-<br />clause !! Translation !! Noun !! Translation !! Verb !! Translation
! Lemma !! Translation !! Noun !! Translation !! Verb !! Translation
|-
|-
| '''''namina''''' || I am me. || '''''n_m_n_''''' || I || '''''_a_i_a''''' || be me
| '''''namina''''' || I am me. || '''''n_m_n_''''' || I || '''''_a_i_a''''' || be me
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| '''''taamitaa''''' || What is what? || '''''t_m_t_''''' || what, who, which  || '''''_aa_i_aa''''' || be what, be who, which?
| '''''taamitaa''''' || What is what? || '''''t_m_t_''''' || what, who, which  || '''''_aa_i_aa''''' || be what, be who, which?
|}
|}
* A ''taaguhii'' is a tahu in active duty, roughly equivalent to a soldier or police officer.
** A ''hiitaahii'' is a ''kai tahu'', a future tahu, a boy raised to be a tahu.


===Identifiers===
===Identifiers===
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For example, the personal name '''''Tuakuumoxu''''' consists of the prefix '''''Tua-''''', indicating a tahu in active duty (a ''taaguhii''), followed by the trisyllabic '''''kuumoxu''''', meaning "the monkey plays" ('''k_m_x_''' "the monkey" + '''uu_o_u''' "play").  
For example, the personal name '''''Tuakuumoxu''''' consists of the prefix '''''Tua-''''', indicating a tahu in active duty (a ''taaguhii''), followed by the trisyllabic '''''kuumoxu''''', meaning "the monkey plays" ('''k_m_x_''' "the monkey" + '''uu_o_u''' "play").  
Prefixes may change over time. When '''''Tuakuumoxu''''' retires from active duty and enters administration, his name will become '''''Xuakuumoxu''''', with the prefix '''''Xua-'''''indicating a tahu in an administrative role. The vocative prefix generally replaces any other prefix although it can sometimes be stacked on to the beginning. For example, the vocative form of '''''Tuakuumoxu''''' may be '''''Xoekuumoxu''''' or '''''Xoetuakuumoxu'''''.
 
Prefixes for personal names often change during an individual's lifetime. When '''''Tuakuumoxu''''' retires from active duty and enters administration, his name will become '''''Xuakuumoxu''''', with the prefix '''''Xua-'''''indicating a tahu in an administrative role. The vocative prefix generally replaces any other prefix although it can sometimes be stacked on to the beginning. For example, the vocative form of '''''Tuakuumoxu''''' may be '''''Xoekuumoxu''''' or '''''Xoetuakuumoxu'''''.


Identifiers are also used for more specific descriptions of things than are available with trisyllabics, such as names of specific types of plants and animals, towns, rivers, hills and other topographical features, rock types, metals, foods etc.
Identifiers are also used for more specific descriptions of things than are available with trisyllabics, such as names of specific types of plants and animals, towns, rivers, hills and other topographical features, rock types, metals, foods etc.


===Clitics===
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
|+ Identifier Prefixes
|-
! Prefix !! Use
|-
| '''hau-''' || geography: topographic features such as rivers, hills, cliffs, valleys
|-
| '''jua-''' || personal names of ''taajona'', equivalent to generals/commanders in the ''tagahu''
|-
| '''jui-'''  || personal names of ''nahiixee'', a partner or long-term-guest of a ''tahu''
|-
| '''kiu-''' || personal names of civilian women who are not ''nahiixee''
|-
| '''kui-''' || inanimate physical objects
|-
| '''lua-''' || personal names of the daughters of ''tahu''
|-
| '''mui-''' || edible things
|-
| '''nia-''' || motile animals (Animals may also sometimes take ''mui-'' or ''kui-'' prefixes.)
|-
| '''niu-''' || personal names of civilian children
|-
| '''nui-''' || personal names of ''hiitaahii'', boys raised to be ''tahu''. It is also used for men who have failed initiation into the ''tagahu''
|-
| '''teo-''' || geography: ''migutaa'', tubes within ''Oru''
|-
| '''tua-''' || personal names of ''taaguhii'', ''tahu'' in active duty
|-
| '''xau-''' || abstract qualities
|-
| '''xia-''' || abstract things
|-
| '''xio-''' || personal names of civilian men who are not ''nahiixee''
|-
| '''xoe-''' || vocative indicator prefix for personal names (It may attach directly to the indicator's trisyllabic or, more formally, before another indicator prefix.)
|-
| '''xua-''' || personal names of ''xeeguhii'', ''tahu'' in an administrative role
|-
| '''xue-''' || geography: towns
|-
| '''xui-''' || onomatopoeia, loanwords and direct quotation of one trisyllabic
|}
 
===Infixes===
 
Infixes in Letaale are single-syllable morphemes beginning with a consonant and containing secondary vowels which contribute grammatical information in a sentence. They are inserted into the word they refer to (or into the first word in a phrase that they refer to), which is termed the "host", directly after the stressed syllable. They may, themselves be unstressed, but can also be stressed for emphasis, taking the primary stress away from the syllable before it.
 
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
|+ Proclitics
|-
! Clitic !! Gloss !! Use !! Example !! Counterpart
|-
| '''hua''' || <small>Q</small> || question infix, turns the word it is attached to (ie. its "host") into a yes/no question || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">hua</span>lavi?'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Do you</span> eat<span style="color:blue">?</span>" || '''''hua'''''
|-
| '''leo''' || <small>NEG</small> || negative infix, "not", negates its host || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">leo</span>lavi.'''''<br />"You <span style="color:blue">do not</span> eat." || '''''gui'''''
|-
| '''gui''' || <small>AFF</small> || affirmative infix, "indeed", emphatically affirms its host || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">gui</span>lavi.'''''<br />"You ''<span style="color:blue">do</span>'' eat." ||  '''''loe'''''
|-
| '''heo''' || <small>NEG</small>.<small>Q</small> || negative question infix, "not?", turns its host into a question with an expected negative answer || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">heo</span>lavi?'''''<br />"You <span style="color:blue">don't</span> eat, <span style="color:blue">do you?</span>" || '''''hui'''''
|-
| '''hui''' || <small>AFF</small>.<small>Q</small> || affirmative question infix, "indeed?", turns its host into a question with an expected affirmative answer || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">hui</span>lavi.'''''<br />"You <span style="color:blue">do</span> eat, <span style="color:blue">don't you?" || '''''heo'''''
|-
| '''tui''' || <small>FOC</small> || focus infix, indicates its host is the focus of the sentence, the new information that is being claimed || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">tui</span>lavi'''''<br />"(<span style="color:blue">the thing is:</span>) you eat" || '''''nau'''''
|-
| '''nau''' || <small>TOP</small> || topic infix, indicates its host is the topic of the sentence, known information about which something is claimed in the focus || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">nau</span>lavi'''''<br />"(<span style="color:blue">as for the fact that</span>) you eat" || '''''tui'''''
|-
| '''xeo''' || <small>IMP</small> || imperative infix, indicates its host is an imperative phrase, an order to do or be something || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">xeo</span>lavi'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Eat!</span>" || '''''geo'''''
|-
| '''geo''' || <small>NEG.IMP</small> || negative imperative infix, indicates its host is a negative imperative phrase, an order not to do or be something || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">geo</span>lavi'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Don't</span> eat!" || '''''xeo'''''
|-
| '''kia''' || <small>OPT</small> || optative infix, indicates its host is an intended or desired situation || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">kia</span>lavi'''''<br />"You <span style="color:blue">should</span> eat." || '''''keo'''''
|-
| '''keo''' || <small>NEG.OPT</small> || negative optative infix, indicates its host is a situation which is not desired || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">keo</span>lavi'''''<br />"You <span style="color:blue">should not</span> eat." || '''''kia'''''
|-
| '''sau''' || or || inclusive disjunctive infix, "or", "and/or", indicates an alternative which is not exclusive || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">sau</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:blue">sau</span>'''''<br />"you (<span style="color:blue">either</span>) eat <span style="color:blue">or</span> you dance (<span style="color:blue">or both</span>)" || '''''sau'''''
|-
| '''tau''' || <small>XOR</small> || exclusive disjunctive infix, "or" "or ... but not both", indicates an exclusive alternative || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">tau</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:blue">tau</span>'''''<br />"you (<span style="color:blue">either</span>) eat <span style="color:blue">or</span> you dance (<span style="color:blue">but not both</span>)" || '''''tau'''''
|-
| '''tia''' || although || causal adversative infix, "although", "even though", indicates the context under which some other fact is unexpected or contrastive || '''''vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">jeo</span>) vee<span style="color:blue">tia</span>lavi'''''<br />"you dance <span style="color:blue">although</span> you eat" || '''''jeo'''''
|-
| '''jeo''' || but || effective adversative infix, "but", "however", "nevertheless", indicates something surprising given another fact or situation || '''''vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tia</span>) vee<span style="color:blue">jeo</span>lavi'''''<br />"you dance, <span style="color:blue">but</span> you eat" || '''''tia'''''
|-
| '''vui''' || and || simultaneous conjunctive infix, "and", indicates a simultaneous addition || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">vui</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:blue">vui</span>'''''<br />"you eat <span style="color:blue">and</span> dance (<span style="color:blue">at the same time</span>)" || '''''vui'''''
|-
| '''nua''' || first || initial conjunctive infix, "first", "initially", indicates its host occurs first in a sequence || '''''vee<span style="color:blue">nua</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:red">sua</span>'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">first</span> you eat, then you dance" || '''sua'''
|-
| '''sua''' || subsequently || subsequent conjunctive infix, "then", "subsequently", indicates an addition that follows in time || '''''vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">nua</span>) vee<span style="color:blue">sua</span>lavi'''''<br />"you dance, <span style="color:blue">then</span> you eat" || '''''vui'''''
|-
| '''kua''' || when || simultaneous punctual temporal infix, "when", indicates that another event or situation occurs at the same time as what is marked with '''kua'''  || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">kua</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">When</span> you eat, you dance." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau''''' / '''''kua''''' / '''''jau'''''
|-
| '''jau''' || while || simultaneous continuous temporal infix, "while", indicates that its host is the temporal context for for another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">jau</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>)'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">While</span> you're dancing, you eat." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau''''' / '''''kua''''' / '''''jau'''''
|-
| '''mua''' || before || antetemporal punctual infix, "before", indicates that its host comes ''after'' another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">mua</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Before</span> you dance, you eat." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau''''' / '''''nio'''''
|-
| '''goe''' || until || antetemporal continuous infix, "until", indicates that its host represents the end point of another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">goe</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Until</span> you dance, you eat." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau'''''
|-
| '''nio''' || after || posttemporal punctual infix, "after", indicates that its host comes ''before'' another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">nio</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>).'''''<br />"After you eat, you dance." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau''''' / '''''mua'''''
|-
| '''joe''' || since || posttemporal continuous infix, "since", "from", indicates that its host represents the starting point of another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">joe</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Since</span> you ate, you've been dancing."<br />"<span style="color:blue">From the time when</span> you eat, you're going to dance." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau'''''
|-
| '''gua''' || because || specific causal infix, "because", "since", "as", indicates that its host is the cause of another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">gua</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">tui</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">Because</span> you eat, you dance." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau''''' / '''''noe'''''
|-
| '''noe''' || therefore || specific effective infix, "therefore", "so", indicates that its host is the effect caused by another event or situation || '''''Vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">gua</span>) vee<span style="color:blue">noe</span>lavi.'''''<br />"You've been dancing; therefore, you eat." || '''''tui''''' / '''''nau''''' / '''''gua'''''
|-
| '''vue''' || if.<small>REAL</small> || generic/potential causal infix, "if", indicates that its host, ''if it does turn out to be the case'', is the cause of another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">vue</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">jue</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">If</span> you eat, (then) you dance." || '''''jue'''''
|-
| '''jue''' || then.<small>REAL</small> || generic/potential effective infix, "then", indicates that its host is the effect caused by another ''possible'' event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:red">vue</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:blue">jue</span>.'''''<br />"If you eat, (then) you dance."  || '''''vue'''''
|-
| '''viu''' || if.<small>IRR</small> || irrealis causal infix, "if", indicates that its host is a ''hypothetical'' event or situation that, ''if it were true'', would the cause of another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">viu</span>lavi vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">jiu</span>).'''''<br />"<span style="color:blue">If</span> you <span style="color:blue">ate</span>, (then) you would dance." || '''''jiu'''''
|-
| '''jiu''' || then.<small>IRR</small> || irrealis effective clitic, "then", "would" indicates that its host would be the effect caused by another ''hypothetical'' event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:red">jiu</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:blue">jiu</span>.'''''<br />"If you ate, (<span style="color:blue">then</span>) you <span style="color:blue">would</span> dance." || '''''viu'''''
|-
| '''gau''' || preparatively || telic causal clitic, indicates that its host is done in preparation in order to achieve another event or situation || '''''Vee<span style="color:blue">gau</span>lavi vilaivaa<span style="color:red">neo</span>.'''''<br />"You eat (<span style="color:blue">preparatively</span>) in order to dance." || '''''neo'''''
|-
| '''neo''' || so.that || telic effective clitic, "so that", "in order that", indicates that its host is the intended goal behind another event or situation || '''''Vilaivaa(<span style="color:red">gau</span>) vee<span style="color:blue">neo</span>lavi.'''''<br />"You dance <span style="color:blue">in order</span> to eat." || '''''vue'''''
|}
 
==Personal pronouns==
 
===First and second persons===
 
Letaale a system of trisyllabic pronouns for the first and second persons.
 
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg"
|-
! Person !! Clusivity !! Stance !! Singular !! Plural
|- align=center
! rowspan=4 | 1st
! rowspan=2 | exclusive<br /><small>of 2nd p.</small>
! guarded
| '''''namina'''''
| '''''mitaami'''''
|- align=center
! vulnerable
| '''''namijo''''' || '''''mitaajo'''''
|- align=center
! rowspan=2 | inclusive<br /><small>of 2nd p.</small>
! guarded
| -
| '''''vainami'''''
|-  align=center
! vulnerable
| - || '''''vainajo'''''
|- align=center
! 2nd
! -
! -
| '''''vailevai'''''
| '''''xeevaile'''''
|}
 
Stance indicates the approach of the speaker towards the addressee. The vulnerable stance pronouns indicate a kind of "weapons down" stance. The singular pronoun '''''namijo''''' must be used when speaking to superiors. It is also used, when off duty, in the presence of close friends, where all use this form and where the inclusive plural form used is '''''vainajo'''''. The plural exclusive form '''''mitaajo''''' is only used when all members of the group referred to would use the vulnerable stance with the addressee — if not, the guarded form '''''mitaami''''' must be used.
 
===Third person===
There are no dedicated third person pronouns. To refer back to an already mentioned third person entity, the triconsonantal noun-form of that word is simply repeated.
 
==Demonstratives==
 
===Spatial demonstratives===
 
Spatial demonstratives are used to indicate things that have a real, physical location in space. They are connected to grammatical persons, with forms indicating proximity to the speaker, proximity to the addressee and proximity to neither. They are frequently accompanied by pointing, which is generally done with the whole hand except when pointing at something very small and close.
 
 
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
|+ '''Spatial demonstratives'''
|-
! Lemma !! Translation !! Noun !! Translation !! Verb !! Translation
|-
| '''''hiimijo''''' || The one near me is near me. || '''''h_m_j_''''' || one near me || '''''_ii_i_o''''' || be near me
|-
| '''''xeenajo''''' || The one near you is near you. || '''''x_n_j_''''' || one near you || '''''_ee_a_o''''' || be near you
|-
| '''''kuugujo''''' || The one over there is over there. || '''''k_g_j_''''' || one near me || '''''_uu_u_o''''' || be over there
|}
 


==Pronouns==
Because of the tendency of nominal roots to be interpreted as definite and verbal roots to be interpreted as indefinite, these tend to be equivalent to "this, this, that, those" (ie. ''the'' thing by me, etc.) as nouns and "be here, be there" as verbs (ie. be ''a'' thing by me).
 
When something is equally close to speaker and addressee, such as a building that both are standing in, it is customary for '''''xeenajo''''' to be used among equals and to superiors, with '''''hiimijo''''' used with subordinates.
 
===Discourse demonstratives===
There are two types of discourse demonstrative: future and past.
 
There is only one form of future demonstrative: that which is associated with the first person. The lemma '''''gumina''''', in its nominal translation, means "that which I am about to say/do" and can be used to introduce another clause as the complementiser "that".
 
Past demonstratives can be used to refer to words, ideas or actions associated with certain grammatical persons. In the third person, there are also rank distinctions.
 
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
|+ '''Spatial demonstratives'''
|-
! Person !! Rank !! Lemma !! Nominal Translation
|-
| 1st || all || '''''jonami''''' || "that (which I said/did)"
|-
| 2nd || all || '''''jovaile''''' || "that (which you said/did)"
|-
| rowspan="4" | 3rd || Taajona || '''''jotaajo''''' || "that (which the Taajona said/did)"
|-
| Tahu || '''''jotaagu''''' || "that (which the Tahu said/did)"
|-
| Civilian Man || '''''josoovai''''' || "that (which the civilian man said/did)"
|-
| Woman/Child || '''''jolevai''''' || "that (which the woman said/did)"
|}


==Syntax==
==Syntax==
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<br />
<br />
   
   
====Sentences with Identifiers====
There are a range of other name classifiers, such as '''''nia-''''', which is used for animals.
:{| class="graytable"
|-
| colspan="20" | '''''Xaijomuu niamalaixuu malima.'''''
|-
| colspan="20" | <small>[ʔai̯ʒoˈmuː nia̯malai̯ˈʔuː ˈmalima] </small>
|-
| '''x_j_m_''' || an extisting one  || '''_ai_o_uu''' || be bird
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''nia-'''
| colspan="20" | ''IDENTIFIER: Name of animal species''
|- style="font-style: italic; font-size: 90%;"
| '''m_l_x_''' || blue one  || '''_a_ai_uu''' || fly high
|-
| '''m_l_m_''' || owner  || '''_a_i_a''' || be me
|-
| colspan="20" | ''I have a hyacinth macaw.''
|}
<br />
====Transitivity====  
====Transitivity====  


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'''''Jomijo''''' is, however, not simply an equivalent of an accusative case. In many instances, another root is used to indicate the roll of the object.
'''''Jomijo''''' is, however, not simply an equivalent of an accusative case. In many instances, another root is used to indicate the role of the object.




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There are no verb tenses in Letaale. The word indicating time is '''hiimixee''' and this can be combined with other roots to specify what time is meant.
There are no verb tenses in Letaale. The word indicating time is '''hiimixee''' and this can be combined with other roots to specify what time is meant.
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable"
|+ '''Time words'''
|-
! Lemma !! Translation !! Noun !! Translation !! Verb !! Translation
|-
| '''''vaimigu''''' || The past one is in the past. || '''''v_m_g_''''' || past one || '''''_ai_i_u''''' || exist in past
|-
| '''''vaixeele''''' || Yesterday's one was yesterday. || '''''v_m_g_''''' || yesterday's one || '''''_ai_ee_e''''' || exist yesterday
|-
| '''''hiinami''''' || The current one is current. || '''''v_m_g_''''' || current one, ongoing one || '''''_ii_a_i''''' || be current, be ongoing
|-
| '''''kuumisoo''''' || The future one will be in the future. || '''''k_m_s_''''' || future one || '''''_uu_i_oo''''' || be in future
|-
| '''''lelemi''''' || Tomorrow's one will be tomorrow. || '''''v_m_g_''''' || tomorrow's one || '''''_ai_i_u''''' || exist yesterday
|}




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==Notes==
==Notes==
  This conlang has been inspired by [http://www.lingweenie.net/abakwi/abakwi.shtml Abakwi] and [http://www.frathwiki.com/Iljena Iljena]. Check them out! - Imralu
  This conlang has been inspired by [http://www.lingweenie.net/abakwi/abakwi.shtml Abakwi] and [http://www.frathwiki.com/Iljena Iljena]. Check them out! - Imralu
[[Category:Languages]]
[[Category:Conlangs]]
Retrieved from "https://duo.linguifex.com/wiki/Letaale"