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Difference between revisions of "Alethkar"
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The Alethi language is part of the Vorin language family, which includes others such as Veden (spoken in [[Jah Keved]]) and [[Herdaz]]ian.{{wob ref|3977}} It's particularly close to the former, making it easy to learn.{{book ref|sa1|5}} It is also descended from Alethelan.{{book ref|sa3|104}} Known words from the language include ''dahn'' and ''nahn'' for the ranking system, numerous [[glyph]] pronunciations, as well as two terms for family members -- ''Mathana'', a formal term for older sister, and ''Mashala'', for aunt.{{book ref|sa1|22}}{{book ref|sa1|60}}
==== Script ====
The Alethi language can be written using two different systems. The [[Women's script]], used broadly across eastern Roshar, is an alphabet, with twenty five letters, and at least two symbols -- a mark of maximum character height, at the start of a passage, and a small diactric denoting that a particular letter should be read as an "H".{{twg ref|7882|0|Navani's Notebook Translation|date=Sep 20th, 2010}}{{wob ref|2962}}
==== Grammar ====
Pronouns, including the first-person pronoun, are gendered in the written language, with a masculine, feminine, and neuter form. Due to only woman and ardents being allowed to write , the use of the masculine first-person pronoun is largely restricted to use in quotes, whilst the neuter is used in writing by ardents.{{book ref|sa3|122}} It is likely that no pronouns have gender in the spoken language.{{book ref|sa3|122}} There are further additons to the written language that change the context of words, and are not read out loud.{{book ref|sa3|122}}
==== Literacy ====
As a Vorin nation, reading and writing is restricted for use by the female part of the populace. and to ardents.{{book ref|sa1|8}} Due to this, men are typically illiterate, regardless of their class.
Men are permitted to learn [[glyph]]s, a separate system where each symbol or pair of symbols represents a separate idea or concept.{{book ref|sa1|3}} Despite this, stormwardens make use of glyphs in a system known as the [[Stormwarden script]], which phonetically uses glyphs in order to construct words.{{book ref|sa2|52}} This, however, is seen as a form of reading, and thus the manner in which they use glyphs is typically hidden from the public.{{book ref|sa2|52}}
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