Some notes on Laqar

[Travis B.]

What I am going to do is rename Early Middle Laqar to Classical Laqar and use that as a starting point for further reanalysis and so on in daughter varieties, so I don't have to muck around with the sound changes leading up to Classical Laqar and rather can concern myself with just the surface forms found in Classical Laqar on.

I am trying to think of ways to simplify the work of mentally analyzing different kinds of stems. I tried to approach it from the perspective of essentially ignoring Proto-Laqar vowel length except where it applies to stress-conditioned vowel alterations, but the problem with that is that unstressed Proto-Laqar short vowels between non-geminate intervocalic consonants are elided, and oftentimes the resulting clusters are reduced in a variety of synchronically-opaque ways. This means that one has to go back to the Proto-Laqar to understand the behavior of such forms.

[Travis B.]

An alternative approach is to define principal parts based on stress position combined with whether a stem is followed by a vowel, a strong consonant, or a weak consonant. For many stems the latter two will be the same. Also there is the behavior of following /j/, but that should be predictable (strictly speaking all of these are predictable from Proto-Laqar, but I want to eliminate having to reference it).

[Travis B.]

Along these lines I am starting work on a daughter language for Classical Laqar, Rekə Laqar. Stems in it have up to nine distinct principle parts, even though most will have fewer. Stems will have one or two weights, depending on whether they were monosyllabic or disyllabic in Proto-Laqar, each of which may be light, heavy, or superheavy, for determining where stress will lie, and thus which principal part will be used.

[Travis B.]

Note that following front vowels geminate preceding non-clustered/non-geminate consonants in prevocalic stems where the bare stem ends in a non-nasal vowel unless the prevocalic stem ends in a nasal. Likewise, following Proto-Laqar *j geminates the final consonant in the pre-strong consonant stem unless the pre-weak consonant stem ends in a nasal, where then that is used instead. Note that in this position Proto-Laqar *g *kʰ *kʼ > ǰ č č' and *ɬ *tɬʰ *tɬʼ > š č č' rather than s c c', which is reflected in Rekə Laqar forms.

For each of these, stem A is the stem where the stress falls on the first syllable of the stem, stem B is the stem where the stress falls on the second syllable of the stem, and stem C is the stem where the stress falls after the stem; monosyllabic stems do not have stems B.

Prevocalic C stems may have two forms, a short C stem and a long C stem, which differ only in whether they preserve an unstressed vowel in final position. When not otherwise specified "C stem" refers to the short C stem. Also note that for weak or nasal consonant-final stems, the "long" C stem is often shorter than the "short" C stem.

For an example of a simple light-light disyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *likʰæ "sound (f.)", consider its various principle parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: líčə
Prevocalic stems: A) líč B) leká C) lek~leč / lekə
Pre-strong consonant stems: A) líč B) leká C) lek~leč
Pre-weak consonant stems: A) líč B) leká C) lek

This kind of stem is called an open short disyllabic stem, where all three sets of principle parts other than the bare stem are identical.

For an example of a slightly more interesting heavy-heavy disyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *miːsæn "mother-in-law (f.)", consider its various principle parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: mísą
Prevocalic stems: A): mísn B) misán C) misn / misą
Pre-strong consonant stems: A) mísą B) misã C) misą
Pre-weak consonant stems: A) mísąn B) misãn C) misąn

This kind of stem is called a nasal-final short disyllabic stem, where the three sets of principle parts other than the bare stem vary in their treatment of final nasal consonants.

[Travis B.]

For an example of a more complex light-light disyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *ninæ "taste (pfv.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: nínə
Prevocalic stem: A) nẽn B) nená C) nęn / nenə
Pre-strong consonant stem: A) nẽ B) nená C) nę
Pre-weak consonant stem: A) nẽn B) nená C) nęn

This is called an open short nasal-medial disyllabic stem.

[Travis B.]

For an example of a heavy-light disyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *suːjæ "leave (pfv.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: súyə
Prevocalic stem: A) sí B) suyá C) si / suyə
Pre-strong consonant stem: A) sí B) suyá C) si
Pre-weak consonant stem: A) sí B) suyá C) si

This is called a yod-medial open short disyllabic stem. Like other open short disyllabic stems, all three sets of principal parts aside from the bare stem are identical, but in cases such as this there are vowel changes due to the medial yod.

[Travis B.]

For an example of a light monosyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *sæb "lend (pfv.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: sab
Prevocalic stem: A) sáb C) səb
Pre-strong consonant stem: A) sáb C) səb
Pre-weak consonant stem: A) sáb C) səb

This is called a closed monosyllabic stem. All closed monosyllabic stems will have identical sets of principal parts aside from the bare stem.

For an example of a more complex light monosyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *kʼæw "day (24 hours) (f.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: k'o
Prevocalic stem: A) k'áw C) k'əw / k'o
Pre-strong consonant stem: A) k'ó C) k'o
Pre-weak consonant stem: A) k'ó C) k'o

This is called a closed weak-final monosyllabic stem. All closed weak-final monosyllabic stems have a different set of prevocalic stems than their other sets of principal parts.

[Travis B.]

For an example of an open light monosyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *hi "give (pfv.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: hi
Prevocalic stem: A) hí C) he
Pre-strong consonant stem: A) hí C) he
Pre-weak consonant stem: A) hí C) he

This is called a open monosyllabic stem (as mentioned before). All open monosyllabic stems will have identical sets of principal parts aside from the bare stem.

[Travis B.]

For an example of an open superheavy-light disyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *miːɾkʰæ "neighbor (m./f.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: mírkə
Prevocalic stem: A) mírkə B) mirká C) mirkə
Pre-strong consonant stem: A) mírkə B) mirká C) mirkə
Pre-weak consonant stem: A) mírkə B) mirká C) mirkə

This is called a open long disyllabic stem. All open long disyllabic stems will have identical sets of principal parts aside from the bare stem.

For an example of an open heavy-light disyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *ʔænkʰi "soil (m.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: ãke
Prevocalic stem: A) ãke B) ąčí C) ąke
Pre-strong consonant stem: A) ãke B) ąčí C) ąke
Pre-weak consonant stem: A) ãke B) ąčí C) ąke

This is called a open long disyllabic stem. Note that it is considered a long stem even though there is no medial geminate or consonant cluster synchronically.

[Travis B.]

For an example of an open heavy-light disyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *nimmæ "east (f.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: nẽmə
Prevocalic stem: A) nẽmə B) nęmá C) nęmə
Pre-strong consonant stem: A) nẽmə B) nęmá C) nęmə
Pre-weak consonant stem: A) nẽmə B) nęmá C) nęmə

This is called a open long disyllabic stem. Note that it is considered a long stem even though there is no medial geminate or consonant cluster synchronically.

[Travis B.]

For an example of an open heavy-light disyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *tɕʼæjlæ "quill (f.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: č'élə
Prevocalic stem: A) č'él B) č'elá C) čel / čelə
Pre-strong consonant stem: A) č'él B) č'elá C) č'el
Pre-weak consonant stem: A) č'él B) č'elá C) č'el

This is called a open short disyllabic stem. Note that it is considered a short stem even though Proto-Laqar had a consonant cluster in this stem because the consonant cluster was lost prior to unstressed vowel elision.

[Travis B.]

For an example of a closed light-superheavy disyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *sælæːtʰ "animal (m.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: səlát
Prevocalic stem: B) səlát C) səlat
Pre-strong consonant stem: B) səlát C) səlat
Pre-weak consonant stem: B) səlát C) səlat

This is called a closed short disyllabic stem. All closed short disyllabic stems will have identical sets of principal parts aside from the bare stem. Also note that disyllabic stems where the second syllable is heavier than the first syllable will always lack A stems.

[Travis B.]

For an example of a closed heavy-superheavy disyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *sɒɾlɒːw "deer (m./f.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: sərló
Prevocalic stem: A) sòrlôw B) sərlòw C) sərlôw / sərlo
Pre-strong consonant stem: B) sərló C) sərlo
Pre-weak consonant stem: B) sərló C) sərlo

This is called a closed long semivowel-final disyllabic stem, even though only the prevocalic stems end in consonants. Note that the pre-strong and pre-weak consonant stems differ from the prevocalic stems because the semivowels coalesce with the preceding vowels in coda position. Note that there are prevocalic A stems because prevocalic stems act as being heavy-heavy rather than as heavy-superheavy.

[Travis B.]

For an example of a open heavy-heavy disyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *sillɒː "smoke (mass) (m.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: síllô
Prevocalic stem: A) síllô B) sellò C) sellô
Pre-strong consonant stem: A) síllô B) sellò C) sellô
Pre-weak consonant stem: A) síllô B) sellò C) sellô

This is a open long disyllabic stem.

[Travis B.]

For an example of a closed light-superheavy disyllabic stem in Proto-Laqar, *ʔætɕʰuːj "pigs (coll.) (m./f.)", consider its various principal parts in Rekə Laqar:

Bare stem: əčí
Prevocalic stem: B) əčúy C) əčuy / əči
Pre-strong consonant stem: B) əčí C) əči
Pre-weak consonant stem: B) əčí C) əči

This is called a closed short semivowel-final disyllabic stem, even though only the prevocalic stems end in consonants. Note that the pre-strong and pre-weak consonant stems differ from the prevocalic stems because the semivowels coalesce with the preceding vowels in coda position.

[Travis B.]

As we can see here, very many roots have fewer than all the possible different number of stems. These can be classified as class 1, with identical prevocalic, pre-strong consonant, and pre-weak consonant series; class 2, with identical prevocalic and pre-weak consonant series; class 3, with identical pre-strong and pre-weak consonant series; and class 4, with all different series. Similarly, disyllabic roots can be classified with subclass A, where there exist A stems in the series, subclass B, where there exist no A stems due to a second syllable being heavier than the initial syllable, and subclass C, where there exist only prevocalic A stems due to the final syllable being equal in weight to the initial syllable due to being transformed into an open syllable by the following vowel.

[Travis B.]

Rekə Laqar affix complexes have the following attributes:

stressed form
whether the affix uses the prevocalic, pre-strong consonant, or pre-weak consonant stems
if the affix uses the prevocalic stems, whether the short or long prevocalic C stems are to be used
original syllable count
if original syllable count < 3, unstressed form and threshold syllable weight; if original syllable count >= 3, the stressed form and the C stem will always be used

If the C stem is used the stressed form is always used.

For monosyllabic stems:

If original syllable count = 1 or 2, if first syllable weight >= threshold syllable weight, the A stem is used, else the C stem is used.

For disyllabic stems:

If original syllable count = 1, if first syllable weight >= threshold syllable weight, the A stem is used unless it is not available, where then the B stem is used; if not, and if the second syllable weight >= threshold syllable weight, the B stem is used; else the C stem is used
If original syllable count = 2, if the second syllable weight >= threshold syllable weight, the B stem is used, else the C stem is used.

[Travis B.]

One major area where Laqar inflection gets remodeled in Rekə Laqar is vowel-final prevocalic B and long C stems. In the case of vowel-final prevocalic B stems and long C stems, what happens in Classical Laqar is that non-final syllable unstressed short vowels following the stem which are not followed by geminates or consonant clusters collapse, and then the remaining glide colors the stem-final vowel. In Rekə Laqar this is remodeled so the stem-final prevocalic B stem or long C stem vowel is preserved and the coloring is lost.

[Travis B.]

I am now collecting together my Rekə Laqar roots at https://travisb.neocities.org/conlangin ... index.html rather than posting them all here.

[Ares Land]

Nice! This looks like it's coming along nicely!

I'd be love to see the sound changes for these.