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Difference between revisions of "Ortûlékian Languages"
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At this time, the language had already split into three dialects; that of the [[Olgish peoples|Olgs]], who were known for their skills in metallurgy and handicrafts, that of the [[Genes]], who were known for their unmatched knowledge of the world, the gods, and the secrets of [[magic]], and that of the [[Auls]], who were renowned for their hard work in cultivating crops and their love for peace. Olgish legend tells in long and complicated ways how the clans of Ortûlék [[Of the Parting of the Peoples|came into contention with each other]], how the secrets of magic were revealed to the uninitiated, and how the peoples parted ways and wandered off into the world. In reality, the blame has mostly likely to be borne by the Olgs, who had come under the influence of the neighbouring [[Soskish peoples|Sosks]], a war-like, equestrian culture, and with increasing aggressivity began to expand into the lands of the Genes and Auls. The former were driven north into the fertile valley of the [[River Ilathw]]; the latter fled east, seeking refuge as vassals of the Soskish [[Kingdom of Hûnutû]]. The Noldorinians were driven off into the southwest and eventually disappeared entirely as the Olgs settled all over Belkondíl.<br> | At this time, the language had already split into three dialects; that of the [[Olgish peoples|Olgs]], who were known for their skills in metallurgy and handicrafts, that of the [[Genes]], who were known for their unmatched knowledge of the world, the gods, and the secrets of [[magic]], and that of the [[Auls]], who were renowned for their hard work in cultivating crops and their love for peace. Olgish legend tells in long and complicated ways how the clans of Ortûlék [[Of the Parting of the Peoples|came into contention with each other]], how the secrets of magic were revealed to the uninitiated, and how the peoples parted ways and wandered off into the world. In reality, the blame has mostly likely to be borne by the Olgs, who had come under the influence of the neighbouring [[Soskish peoples|Sosks]], a war-like, equestrian culture, and with increasing aggressivity began to expand into the lands of the Genes and Auls. The former were driven north into the fertile valley of the [[River Ilathw]]; the latter fled east, seeking refuge as vassals of the Soskish [[Kingdom of Hûnutû]]. The Noldorinians were driven off into the southwest and eventually disappeared entirely as the Olgs settled all over Belkondíl.<br> | ||
With the spread of the Olgs, the major language of western Belkondíl became [[Old Olgish|Olgish]], steadily coexisting with the [[Besokian languages|Besokian language]] [[Proto-Soskish|of the Sosks]] in the east. It developed [[Olgish Dialects|many dialects]], some of which would later be recognized as individual languages, most notably [[Brethanian language|Brethanian]], [[Corbian language|Corbian]], and [[Wertian language|Wertian]], but most of which subscribed to the greater Olgish identity. Its chief dialects were those of [[Soskilón]], [[Ortûlék]], and [[Lágon]], the greatest powers throughout most of the history of Belkondíl, and when an [[Old Olgish#Koiné|Old Olgish Koiné]] was formed to be used in church and historiography, it was mostly based on these idioms. Later migrations of the Olgs spread their language further, first north into the [[Reknayan mountains]] as they were conquered, and later into the Olgish colonies in the [[Olgish Conquest of Seligon|east]] and the [[Northwestern Colonies|northwest]]; but as large numbers of their armies and settlers were [[Western Sosks|Sosks]], the most widely spoken language in nearly all Olgish colonies was some dialect of [[Western Soskish]], and the old Olgish tongue remained spoken only by the most dignified nobles and in church services. When in L. R. 539, [[Ésôrin the Wise]] declared [[New Soskish#Lécaronian|Lécaronian Soskish]] the official language of the [[Lécaronian Empire|empire that covered almost all of Elondor]], Olgish had already ceded most of its territory to the new vernacular, and by the time of the Empire’s collapse, it had almost come extinct, a sacred language used only in history and science.<br> | With the spread of the Olgs, the major language of western Belkondíl became [[Old Olgish|Olgish]], steadily coexisting with the [[Besokian languages|Besokian language]] [[Proto-Soskish|of the Sosks]] in the east. It developed [[Olgish Dialects|many dialects]], some of which would later be recognized as individual languages, most notably [[Brethanian language|Brethanian]], [[Corbian language|Corbian]], and [[Wertian language|Wertian]], but most of which subscribed to the greater Olgish identity. Its chief dialects were those of [[Soskilón]], [[Ortûlék]], and [[Lágon]], the greatest powers throughout most of the history of Belkondíl, and when an [[Old Olgish#Koiné|Old Olgish Koiné]] was formed to be used in church and historiography, it was mostly based on these idioms. Later migrations of the Olgs spread their language further, first north into the [[Reknayan mountains]] as they were conquered, and later into the Olgish colonies in the [[Olgish Conquest of Seligon|east]] and the [[Northwestern Colonies|northwest]]; but as large numbers of their armies and settlers were [[Western Sosks|Sosks]], the most widely spoken language in nearly all Olgish colonies was some dialect of [[Western Soskish]], and the old Olgish tongue remained spoken only by the most dignified nobles and in church services. When in L. R. 539, [[Ésôrin the Wise]] declared [[New Soskish#Lécaronian|Lécaronian Soskish]] the official language of the [[Lécaronian Empire|empire that covered almost all of Elondor]], Olgish had already ceded most of its territory to the new vernacular, and by the time of the Empire’s collapse, it had almost come extinct, a sacred language used only in history and science.<br> | ||
The second branch, the [[Aribelian languages]], separated form Proto-Ortûlékian with the migration of the Genes north. They would remain in the Ilathw Valley and the adjacent [[Geranian Heath]] for more than a millennium, until increasing pressure from surrounding peoples drove them even further north into the largely uninhabited marsh- and forestland in the north-western corner of Elondor. They split into two groups: the [[Aribelians]] would remain in their new environment, become known as sailors, merchants, and, most notably, [[On the Philosophers of Aribel|philosophers]] and scientists, whose unified state was among the few which, although greatly diminished, never ceased to resist Lécaronian aggressions, and whose literary language, | The second branch, the [[Aribelian languages]], separated form Proto-Ortûlékian with the migration of the Genes north. They would remain in the Ilathw Valley and the adjacent [[Geranian Heath]] for more than a millennium, until increasing pressure from surrounding peoples drove them even further north into the largely uninhabited marsh- and forestland in the north-western corner of Elondor. They split into two groups: the [[Aribelians]] would remain in their new environment, become known as sailors, merchants, and, most notably, [[On the Philosophers of Aribel|philosophers]] and scientists, whose unified state was among the few which, although greatly diminished, never ceased to resist Lécaronian aggressions, and whose literary language, [[High Aribelian]], persisted and thrived in their academies long after Olgish had been banned to the bookshelves; the [[Celdic peoples|Celsondach]], on the other hand, crossed the mountains of the [[Mibar-Hûrind]] to the east and settled in the vast plains of [[Celsond]], in the west forming a [[Western Celdic Tribes|fierce rider culture]] feared by their Aribelian neighbours, in the east taking on a [[Eastern Celdic Tribes|semi-pastoralist lifestyle]] and living in harmony with nature, much like the local [[Erenians]]. The languages formed [[Celdic Dialects|two dialect continua]] and differed strongly from the vernacular of Aribel; they together with the [[Erenic Dialects|dialects of the Erenians]] formed the [[Celsond Sprachbund]].<br> | ||
The [[Auls]], finally, remained undisturbed by history for a long time, living in peace upon the shores of the [[Iilimurh|Gulf of Iilimurh]], variously under Soskish, Olgish, and finally their own protection. It was only in the aftermath of the collapse of the powerful Middle Bronze-Age [[Mikoshi Empire]] that the small nation saw their time of greatness come. Within two centuries, diplomacy, politically cunning, and conquest had brought all of the Gulf under control of the [[Aulish League]]. The culture had long merged with that of their neighbours, the [[Mikoshi people|Mikoshi]], the [[Parians]], and the [[Eastern Sosks]], and so had their languages, forming [[Iilish language|Iilish]], a curious mixture of [[Ortûlékian languages|Ortûlékian]], [[Besokian languages|Besokian]], and [[Avalian languages|Avalian]]. The official language of the short-lived [[Iilish Empire]], it was constantly spoken all over the Gulf and in the [[Old Seligon|Iilish heartland]] extending to the north into [[Amasia]]. All attempts of [[Lécaronian Empire|Lécaronian]] authorities to replace it with more ‘imperial’ languages failed thoroughly, Iilish remaining the main language of these areas even into Lécaronian times and seeing an even stronger revival during the [[Iilish independence movement]] in the early 8th century. | The [[Auls]], finally, remained undisturbed by history for a long time, living in peace upon the shores of the [[Iilimurh|Gulf of Iilimurh]], variously under Soskish, Olgish, and finally their own protection. It was only in the aftermath of the collapse of the powerful Middle Bronze-Age [[Mikoshi Empire]] that the small nation saw their time of greatness come. Within two centuries, diplomacy, politically cunning, and conquest had brought all of the Gulf under control of the [[Aulish League]]. The culture had long merged with that of their neighbours, the [[Mikoshi people|Mikoshi]], the [[Parians]], and the [[Eastern Sosks]], and so had their languages, forming [[Iilish language|Iilish]], a curious mixture of [[Ortûlékian languages|Ortûlékian]], [[Besokian languages|Besokian]], and [[Avalian languages|Avalian]]. The official language of the short-lived [[Iilish Empire]], it was constantly spoken all over the Gulf and in the [[Old Seligon|Iilish heartland]] extending to the north into [[Amasia]]. All attempts of [[Lécaronian Empire|Lécaronian]] authorities to replace it with more ‘imperial’ languages failed thoroughly, Iilish remaining the main language of these areas even into Lécaronian times and seeing an even stronger revival during the [[Iilish independence movement]] in the early 8th century. | ||