Introduction

While there may eventually be an English-Maurang dictionary, the Maurang-English version, as exemplified by this lexicon, should be considered the defining edition in case of discrepencies.

List of Abbreviations

adj adjective
adv adverb
arch archaic
conj conjunction
interj interjection
metaph metaphorical
n noun
num number
p particle
prep preposition
pron pronoun
v verb

A

aa

(interj) yes

akaw

(v) to grind up, pulverize

alajme

(adj) poor, unfortunate

Notes

Does not imply "poor" in the sense of lacking money.

aqshe

(n) the rest, remainer, leftover bit

Notes

No definite article or similar determiner is needed with this word.

arevc

(v) to jump/dive (off of something) (v) to take off/take flight by running in a straight line off of something

Etymology

The first meaning is the original one, which has existed at least since Early Maurang if not longer. The latter meaning arose by extension, since the first commonly-used flying machines in the Maurang-speaking world were gliders, with which one would take off by jumping from a cliff or other high point.

Notes

There may be dialects that have *arvcy'* for jumping off of something, but not for taking off in a glider from a cliff. The latter included the running start that you would expect the pilot to have to make, and wasn't perceived as momentane when the momentane suffix -y' was still productive.

arvcen

(n) diver (one who jumps from a high place into water)

ashyk

(n) joy, happiness

ax

(pron) you (singular)

B

bacaq

(v) to belch

bande

(n) journey, trip

bejew

(n) elbow

belatj

(n) bottom (of an object), underside

beraj

(prep) above

bereler

(v) to "swim" (as an octopus, usings its arms and not jetting) (v) to tread water (v) to wallow, roll around in the mud

bernwa

(v) to find out, discover/learn (by chance)

Etymology

From original *berw-* plus the inchoative suffix *-na*.

berwym

(v) to know (a fact)

Etymology

There may have been a suffix *-ym* at one point.

bygwaase

(v) to pitch upwards/backwards (as a glider/plane would)

byl

(v) to move through something

Notes

NOTE: this word doesn't really fit the satellite-framed paradigm. I may leave it as an exception, but most likely it will be repurposed to mean something else.

bysnev

(v) to lay, sit (as in a sack)

bystaakw

(v) (definition currently unknown)

byyrvce

(v) to take off/lift off (upwards from a flat surface: what a bird,
helicopter, and *maybe* airplane does)

Notes

Some dialects may lack the final <e>, but this is by far the most common form.

byyrvcy'

(v) to jump up (once)

Bc

bced

(num) two (2)

bcyshaqj

(n) number, numerical value

Notes

NOTE: this probably needs to be defined more thoroughly?

Bj

bje

(p) not

Notes

NOTE: is this actually a prefix?

bjekw

(n) nipple (regardless of sex of bearer)

bjenax

(n) large rock, boulder

Notes

These are common enough where the Maurang live.

bjeskander

(v) to be strange (in a neutral way), atypical

bjysh

(v) it seems

Notes

NOTE: this word would be ripe for transformation into an evidentiality marker of some sort.

C

caha

(v) to sigh

care

(adv) always, at all times

cax

(v) to send, cause to be conveyed

cexle

(n) restaurant (n) bar, tavern (n) galley (on a boat)

cyshla

(n) mountain

cyxle

(v) to want, desire

Notes

Slightly weaker in general than the English translation would suggest. It also bears pointing out that, used in reference to a person, this verb does not carry the sexual connotations found in the literal English translation.

This verb also has somewhat strange *rektio*. The "subject" from an English-speaking perspective is placed in the Absolutive case, and the thing desired (if a noun and not a clause) ends up in the Genitive. However, if the object of this verb is a clause whose traditionally ergative subject is coindexed with the "subject" of *cyxle*, the subject of *cyxle* takes the Ergative.

cyykem

(n) snack eaten in the afternoon, zvieri

D

dahak

(v) to bellow (v) to bark (of a dog or other canine)

dalas

(adj) sensitive, fragile

Notes

I feel like this originally meant something like "bleached", and then shifted due to that meaning being associated with being rendered fragile by nature/the sea/the sun.

daxa

(n) wagon, cart

dejeng

(v) to sleep (v) to be dormant, latent (v) to be calm, regular, subdued (of ocean or weather)

delym

(v) to decrease, abate, reduce

desh

(prep) with (comitative)

dew

(v) to sell, offer for sale

dewlen

(n) ship, boat, watercraft

dewy

(n) finger

dyjme

(n) idea, thought

dym

(prep) (+ DAT) for (the purpose of)

dywvem

(adv) on purpose, intentionally

Dc

dcyq

(n) mast (on a ship, a straight up-and-down pole)

Dj

djexw

(v) to shade, put in shadow, cast a shadow on, block something's light (v, metaph) to shelter, protect, provide hospitality to

Etymology

The first meaning is original, whereas the second is a metaphorical extension thereof. Maurang society attaches great significance to caves, probably due to their value as shelters from the sun, and thus being in the shade or providing shade to another person became associated with hospitality.

Dh

dhyx

(v) to be dressed (in: +OBL), to wear (+OBL)

Dw

dwegamet

(n) refrigerator

Etymology

Borrowed from Eketai *dogamot*.

Dhw

dhwek

(n) mound (geographical formation) (n) lump/bump on skin (e.g. a bug bite)

E

ejvat

(v) to fight, quarrel, have a verbal altercation

ejvew

(v) to hate, loathe, detest

Notes

This is probably the strongest term you can use to describe disliking something in modern Maurang. Use with care.

emben

(v) to turn (to one side when moving in a straight line)

embjaan

(n) heel (of foot), base of palm (of hand)

eskaben

(adv) once upon a time

Notes

Traditionally, this is the first word of a Maurang fairy tale, usually followed immediately by an existential verb as in English.

eskew

(n) master/head of house/building/department (n) host (n) captain (of a ship)

Notes

An *eskew* generally is in charge of a place or vehicle, rather than a group of people per se. Whether they have power over *you* depends on whether you are in their domain, not whether or not you are officially their subordinate. It is also the word traditionally used for the captain of a ship, or for the owner of a property where guests (either paying or not) may be present, much like the English word "host" or the Russian "хозяин/хозяйка".

estax

(v) to fall down from high up

F

fejtavyk

(n) vampire, bloodsucker

Notes

It's not yet clear exactly what a *fejtavyk* looks like, or what their characteristic traits are, but they seem generally similar to vampires --- they feed on the blood and/or life force of humans, and there are some restrictions on where they can go (they can't enter a natural cave, for instance).

fydh

(v) to yaw (as a glider/plane)

fydhdher

(v) to be in a tailspin

Etymology

From *fydh*, with the frequentative suffix *h_r*.

fysyl

(n) river

Gj

gjeb

(n) thorn, prickle

gjylaa

(v) to appear, come into being

Gw

gwaas

(v) to fall/sprawl flat on one's face, to "faceplant"

gwaasser

(v) to roll, tumble head over heels

Etymology

From *gwaas* with old frequentative suffix *-h_r* or *-f_r* (see *raffer*).

gwyyl

(v) to hug, embrace, squeeze (as a gesture of affection/friendship)

H

hydhc

(v) to fly under power

Notes

In modern Maurang, this verb usually describes a fixed-wing airplane, although it can be used for birds as well, often with a slightly archaic tone. Historically, it was also the general word used to describe a bird flying, but it gradually came to be supplanted by the verb *laamj*, until the advent of fixed-wing aircraft rescued it from obscurity.

hykyng

(v) to eat

Notes

NOTE: this really needs some fleshing out. It's far too simple.

hynnca

(v) to take off, take flight (as an airplane) (v, arch) to take off, take flight (as a bird, by flapping wings and jumping)

Etymology

Probably from *hydhc* and an inchoative suffix *-na*, with sound changes indicating that the suffix was added a long time ago.

Notes

In Proto-Maurang, this verb is believed to have been the regular verb used to describe a bird or other flying creature taking flight. However, with the advent of gliders as a regular means of transport, the verb *byyrvce* began to supplant it, probably by analogy with *arevc*. The verb *hynnca* fell out of use in normal speech in the vast majority of dialects (although it was retained in a few set expressions and as an archaic term) until the invention of fixed-wing powered flight, at which point it was co-opted to describe the act of an airplane taking off.

Hc

hcapc

(n) knuckle, joint (on finger or toe)

hcejem

(adv) now

hcek

(v) to clear one's throat, cough

hcem

(n) tree (n) wood

hcyxta

(n) chief, host, boss, owner

Notes

Unlike *eskew*, this word generally describes someone who has power over a group of people, regardless of the building/ship/venue they are associated with.

J

jaal

(n) idiot, fool

Notes

A *jaal* is actually a specific kind of fool who's stupid in a specific kind of way, but it's not yet clear what that way is just yet. NOTE: work this out.

jakwe'

(n) a small glider for one person

jarbjen

(n) a smallish reptillian pest analogous to a rat

jem

(pron) I, me

jer

(n) average-sized wave that you would see washing up on the beach (name) Jer, a common individual name

Notes

The regular, everyday waves that you see washing up on the beach on the islands where the Maurang live are traditionally associated with consistency, regularity, and stable relationships (both between humans, and between humans and nature). They represent the most common type of good-but-not-exceptional weather that you would expect to see on a normal day, and that generalizes to the sort of polite-but-not-heroic behavior that you expect from your compatriots. A person named "Jer" probably got that name because they are a point of stability in a sometimes-chaotic world.

jykwaler

(n) psoriasis, irritated skin

K

kaasjel

(n) raven (or perhaps an analogous Maurang bird)

kadcem

(v) to walk, go/come (on foot)

kajam

(n) hair (on a person's head) (n) thread (that you sew with)

kajlem

(adv) to the (natural) end(point)

Notes

This adverb is used in lieu of any verb meaning "to finish".

kajme

(n) an animal equivalent to a dog

kejamj

(n) thumb

keryp

(n) sun (n) star (when classifying astronomical bodies)

Etymology

From *k_r*, whose meaning is currently unknown, and the old root word *yp* "sun", which has either fallen out of use or shifted in meaning in modern Maurang.

Notes

This word would be used for "star" when referring to a star in an astronomical or space context, but not when referring to a star in the night sky (which could theoretically be something other than a regular star).

kyshtjehc

(n) a person of a particular rank in Maurang society

Notes

We don't have the social structure worked out well enough to know exactly what such a person would do, but that can come later NOTE.

Kj

kjeldek

(v) to love (intellectually)

Notes

NOTE: what does that actually mean?

kjer

(conj) but (conjoins clauses)

kjeswe

(n) house, dwelling, home (n) a small dwelling of a specific Maurang type (rare?)

Notes

NOTE: we need more info on what a *kjeswe* actually looks like, and what the traditional Maurang architecture would be based on. Most likely, this word will be extended to become the default term for "house" after contact with the Eketai, but it will occasionally be used to refer specifically to houses built in the traditional style.

kjydaa

(n) vertical tail fin (of fish) (n) flag, banner

kjywmes

(n) wind strong enough to propel a sailboat at a reasonable speed

Kw

kwaam

(n) an ocean-going ship

Notes

This word usually evokes a ship large enough for a couple of dozen people to live on for a fairly long voyage, although the ship itself may not resemble traditional European ship designs from Earth. The Maurang are skilled ship-builders and have managed to construct fairly large ocean-going vessels using limited resources.

kwaj

(prep) out (of), outside of

kwajer

(n) rudder (of boat), steering oar (n, arch) a type of long oar typically used as a steering oar

Notes

Is this at all related to *kwaj*? Perhaps because the rudder of a boat sticks out?

kwajren

(n) steersman, helmsman, boatsteerer (n, modern) pilot (of a powered aircraft), helm officer (on a starship)

kwajryw

(v) to steer, pilot

kwarrath

(n) man, male adult

kweb

(n) to see, perceive visually

kwejandes

(n) goods (that a merchant might be carrying) (n, slang) stuff, junk

kwew

(v) to rub, caress, pet

kwymmar

(v) to be visible, appear, (+ *myth*) resemble

Notes

Pretty clearly related to *kweb* at some point, although the etymology is still a bit vague.

L

laamj

(v) to fly by flapping wings (also used for helicopters)

laasjet

(n) hand (part of body)

laaxw

(n) wrist

Etymology

Could this be related to the initial *laa-* in *laasjet*?

lajeq

(n) coconut crab, or equivalent

Notes

This is not literally a coconut crab, but it is a similar species of large land crab that can be dangerous if you aren't careful.

lajket

(n) fore-and-aft sail, wing (of a *jakwe'*)

laksa

(v) to carve (a figure/piece of artwork/design)

Notes

The material that the resulting work is carved from is marked with the Genitive case. This is generally also how you would express "to carve something into a surface".

lakwe

(n) tooth (human)

lamjy

(n) a natural cave

Notes

There are a number of these on the islands that the Maurang inhabit. They have special significance in Maurang culture (for instance, a *fejtavyk* cannot enter one), and have historically been a major source of shelter, especially during inclement weather that might damage or destroy a *kjeswe*.

lasjeta

(n) digit (part of a written number)

Etymology

This is an Eketai loanword, which has been Maurangized as much as is possible. The original Eketai word was *laseta*.

lew

(v) to rule, govern, command

Notes

This word would *not* be used in the sense of giving a person a specific command. It implies having continuous power over them.

lewebc

(adj) fat, thick

Notes

This word usually only describes people, and possibly personified animals. It would not normally be used for e.g. a farm animal or an animal that one was hunting.

ljewev

(v) to thrive, be strong, have good fortune, succeed (continuously)

Notes

This word probably contains traces of an old reduplicative factitive.

lyjet

(v) to climb

lyk

(prep) after (in time)

Notes

NOTE: this probably had spatial meaning once, but that meaning has largely been lost. Or possibly it was a verb meaning "happen".

lyvyn

(v) to carry on one's back, transport (as a pack animal does)

lyw

(v) to gather, bring together, come together

lywaa

(n) pore (on skin)

Lc

lcak

(v) to know how to, have the skill to

Notes

This is basically the same as the Finnish verb *osata*. NOTE, however, that I'm not *entirely* sure that it's going to stay a verb. It may end up becoming a particle or affix.

M

macap

(n) rudder, steering gear (of glider)

madje

(n) edge, limit, border

makw

(n) thumb

makwes

(v) to please

Notes

The noun that would be the subject in English is in the Absolutive case, and that which would be the object is in the Dative.

maljetj

(v) to fly, soar (what non-powered planes, soaring birds, and gliders do)

Notes

More specifically, this verb means "fly without power, using only gravity and air currents to stay aloft".

manjeke

(v) to ignore, leave alone

marmjan

(v) to write

Notes

NOTE: this word may ultimately be complex.

mash

(n) thing, object, item (physical)

mataasc

(n) stomach (internal organ)

Notes

NOTE: figure out figurative associations with the stomach.

mejdel

(n) farm, garden (for growing food)

Notes

Traditionally, the Maurang got a large amount of their nutrition from hunting and gathering, but agriculture was also practiced. There was likely also a certain amount of aquaculture involved (there may be another word for an aquatic farm, or several depending on the types of creatures raised).

mekwysj

(n) egg (that a bird or reptile hatches from) (n, metaph) inception, early proto-form, beginning (of something)

mende

(v) to feel happy, glad

mevcaan

(n) raft, float, floating platform

Notes

This word can refer to anything that floats, is large enough for a person to sit or stand on, and doesn't have a shape that's intentionally conducive to going in a particular direction the way a boat does.

mydh

(n) head (part of body)

myjek

(v) to be sick, ill

myl

(v) to live, dwell, make one's home (at/in)

myrwyn

(n) worm (usually the sort you would find in fruit)

mysh

(n) leg (body part)

myth

(prep) like, similar to, akin to

Mc

mce'

(v) to say (a word/utterance), state (a fact), tell (a bit about something)

Notes

This verb is not used for telling stories or giving longer explanations, for which there is a different verb. The main difference is the length and complexity of the narrative (for instance, you *mce'* the truth or a lie in Maurang, unless it is story-length).

mcyyl

(v) to bind, tie up

Mj

mjaalwe

(v) to prepare (something) (v) to cook, prepare (food)

mjer

(num) one, 1

mjytlcyyb

(n) woman, female adult

N

naas

(v) to hope, wish

Notes

This word implies having a desire whose outcome you have no or minimal control over, regardless of whether the desired state or event would take place in the future or past.

nace

(v) to increase (v) to grow in size, volume, effect

Notes

This verb, and many others like it, can take its Ergative argument optionally, meaning that it can correspond either to the intransitive or causative meaning of the verb "increase" in English.

namer

(n) palm (of the hand)

naryyw

(n) a person's "life force", responsible for their health and well being

Notes

*Myjek naryywy* = to be sick (with px on *naryyw*) *Ljewev naryywy* = to be healthy

naskew

(v) to advise, give a suggestion

naghel

(n) fingernail, toenail

nelekjyn

(v) to exile, expell (a person), ostracize

Notes

Probably a compound at one point, although it's still not clear of what.

newej

(adv) soon

Nys

(n) water

Notes

Possibly refers only to seawater, although it isn't clear yet.

nysqajep

(v) to be high tide

Etymology

The *nys* element is easily recognizable as the word *nys*, meaning "water" or possibly "seawater" in modern Maurang. The *qa*, as you might expect, is again the original root referring to the tidal zone (*qaw*), with the final /w/ deleted, most likely due to interactions with the sounds that would eventually produce the final /jəp/.

Nj

nja

(demon) here

njabet

(v) to answer, respond

njazyn

(n) period of time, epoch, time

njelesh

(n) plateau, mesa, flat area that's up high

njeswal

(prep) near, close to, in the vicinity of

Nw

nwaaren

(n) peak (of a mountain), summit

Ng

ngas

(conj) so, therefore

ngeqj

(n) sea-going crab eaten by the Maurang

ngybjel

(n) small arboreal animal similar to a monkey

P

pas

(prep) off, off of

perkaa

(n) leaf (of a plant)

Notes

There aren't that many truly leafy plants where the Maurang live, but there are enough that they need a word for the concept.

pyng

(n) fish (with fins, that swims)

Notes

It's not clear whether there are whales on the Maurang homeworld, but if they are, they are probably considered a kind of *pyng*, despite being mammals.

Pc

pcaang

(v) to fly through the air ballistically (as a stone or other projectile)

pcyyshyg

(n) A-frame style mast on a *vewwed*

Pj

pjec

(v) to live, be alive

pjecaakj

(n) animal, (literally) living thing

Q

qalc

(n,arch) heart (internal organ)

qallca

(v) to fear, be afraid of (+ GEN)

Etymology

From original *qalc*, an old word for "heart", with the inchoative suffix *-na*, presumably as a reference to how one's heart tends to start beating faster when one is afraid.

qavelj

(n) tidal zone (the part of a beach or shoreline that is underwater at high
tide, but exposed at low tide)

Etymology

From *qa(v)*, meaning basically the same thing as *qavelj*, followed by the suffix /-lʲ/ (a place associated with something). The proto-Maurang *qa(v)* dates back to an even earlier *qaw*, again with the same meaning.

Notes

In Maurang culture, the tidal zone is associated with danger, since it alternately floods and then dries up. You can venture there, but you have to be careful.

qely

(adj) big, large, sizable (adj) (of something you would carry) unwieldy, awkward

Qj

qjelef

(v) to freeze, become frozen, become ice

R

raffer

(v) to bounce around (v) to jump up and down over and over (archaic?)

Etymology

From original *r_vˁ* and a frequentative suffix whose exact form is currently unknown (probably *-h_r* or *-f_r*). It is not clear what the motivation for the first vowel being /a/ is, but it could be due to influence from the original pharyngealized /vˁ/ moving to the vowel as the consonant assimilated to the first consonant of the suffix, perhaps aided by the fact that the vowel would be accented in that position and thus would want to be heavier. It may also simply be a holdover from an earlier state of the language that was reduced in other positions.

rawes

(demon) there

rewysh

(v) to mar, mutilate, deface

reqel

(v) to mumble, speak too quietly to understand

ryhc

(n) star (in the sky), heavenly body

rylwys

(n) truth

Notes

NOTE: is this noun countable?

ryywym

(name) Ryywym, a common individual name.

S

saaqy

(n) rope

Notes

NOTE: there are nuances to this word; it is not the same as the other word for rope. They are still TBD though.

satehc

(n) family, crew

sefqwyyr

(v) to be low tide (v, metaph) to be temporarily safe

Etymology

From the /qʷɨ(:)/ allomorph indicating the tidal zone (ultimately derived from earlier /qaw/), plus a prefix whose final consonant was presumably a labiodental fricative but otherwise remains undetermined, and a denominal verb-forming suffix /r/.

sem

(n) traditional type of Maurang building, built of stone with a thatched roof

Notes

Since it requires more effort to build than a *kjeswe*, a *sem* is rarely the home of a single family or individual, but rather a communal building of some sort, often with multiple functions. There will frequently be more than one in a settlement, but usually not *that* many.

senejem

(adv) at the same time, simultaneously

setw

(n) pot, large bowl, bucket, vessel

sewweke

(n) skin (of a mammal)

sycam

(v) to strike, hit

sydwe

(v) to communicate, convey (a message)

sydweqjam

(n) telephone

Etymology

This comes from the name of an item in Maurang myth, which allowed the user to communicate telepathically (or something like that) with people who were far away. When telephones, or their equivalent on the world in question, arrive in the Maurang-speaking area, they were referred to using that word, which literally meant something like "communicator" or "conveyer of messager".

syksy'

(n) a large land crab eaten by the Maurang

sylaanem

(adv) loudly

Sj

sjeljen

(v) to liberate, set free, release, loose

Notes

NOTE: this is probably complex, but I haven't worked out the morphemes yet.

sjen

(prep) on, on the surface of

Notes

This word is primarily used for the relationship between an object and a surface that it is sitting on due solely to the force of gravity. For e.g. a fly sitting on the wall or ceiling, a different expression would be prefered.

sjylyn

(n) arc, parabola

sjym

(prep) before (in time)

sjyy

(adj) true

Notes

NOTE: I really don't know how Maurang adjectives work, and how common they actually are. This word may end up having to move to a different category.

Sw

swek

(n) name (of a person, place, vehicle, etc)

swewne

(v) to pack (something into something), cram

Notes

The direct object is always the item that's getting packed or crammed into something else, not the container. Furthermore, this word generally implies that the container in question is or will end up rather full, and that force is required to get everything inside. It is not necessarily the word that you would use to describe packing for a trip, unless you have a lot of clothes and a fairly small suitcase.

swymy

(n) stone (general term)

swyyjep

(n) child, boy, girl

Notes

It is possible to distinguish genders of children, but it must be done through adjectives. Children are treated as genderless in Maurang society.

Sh

shalew

(n) track(s), footprint(s), trace

shav

(v) to notice, have one's attention drawn to something

Notes

This verb has an argument structure that will seem a little bit bizarre to English speakers: the person doing the noticing is marked with the Absolutive, whereas the thing that they're noticing is marked with the Ergative.

shekjenysh

(v) to ask

Notes

NOTE: Rektio? Is the ABS argument the question or the person asked?

shymj

(n) wing (of a bird) (n) blade (of a helicopter rotor or other aircraft propellor)

T

taa

(v) to believe (a fact)

Notes

NOTE: we probably need more details here.

tah

(interj) Hey! Hwæt! (used to get people's attention)

tamcad

(v) to discuss, talk about

Notes

NOTE: what is the etymology of this word? We might be able to get an old (or modern) reciprocal suffix out of it.

tar

(n) lagoon, lake, small sea (medium-sized body of water)

tehteh

(v) to tiptoe, move/walk quietly

Notes

Obviously reduplicated, and probably an onomatopoeia of some sort.

tewal

(prep) away from, far away from, some distance from

tewyyn

(n) fur (on an animal), hair (on a human's body)

Notes

This word does *not* mean "pelt" in the sense of the skin of an animal, removed and treated, but with the fur still attached.

tykaar

(v) to be present, manifest, be around

Notes

Does this cover the meaning of the English expression "hang around"?

tyr

(n) bat (animal)

tys

(adj) mean, vicious, hostile, enemy (adj) dangerous to humans (of animals)

tyy

(n) night

tyym

(adv) at night

Tc

tcaakw

(n) abnormally large wave, of the sort that you might see during a storm;
usually large enough to cause damage to stuff along the shore, but not
large enough to pose a threat to dwellings located as far inland as the
Maurang know they need to build.

Notes

I suspect that *tcaakw* are associated with anger or misplaced enthusiasm, as waves tend to be used as a metaphor for human emotions. It is unlikely that anyone would use *tcaakw* as a name, although some people might choose it to project a sense of edginess. It may occasionally be used pejoratively towards people who act irresponsily due to uncontrolled anger.

tce'

(v) to go, come (in general)

Th

thasjakw

(v) to sing

thava

(adj) smooth

Tj

tjaram

(v) to be in love (with: DAT)

tjeshastar

(n) ocean, very large body of water that covers a large portion of the planet

Notes

NOTE: this is probably a compound, including a more neutral word for the ocean as seen from the Maurang archipelago, or something like that. It may have roots in old Maurang religious traditions.

tjysh

(n) the ocean, the sea

Notes

This is essentially a proper noun, possibly referring to a deity as well as the ocean itself. It is probably also the root of the *tjesh-* in *tjeshastar*, and is likely a common expletive pronoun in weather expressions.

Tw

twaanem

(adv) down(wards)

Notes

NOTE: again, what specifically does this mean? It probably isn't just directional, although it may be.

twaar

(n) an animal analogous to a horse

Notes

They probably didn't have these on the archipelago, hence this is probably a loan or a repurposed word from mythology.

twagwaase

(v) to pitch downwards/forwards (as an airplane or glider would)

twasyl

(v) to surprise, startle

Notes

As is the trend in this language, you can use this verb with an Ergative subject and Absolutive object, or with a slightly different construction. There person who feels surprised or startled (and TODO there may be a better word for 'startle'?) is always in the Absolutive, but the other participant can be someone acting deliberately (Ergative), something inanimate (Genitive), or a subordinate clause (unmarked for case).

twetwe'

(n) heart (internal organ)

Notes

NOTE: figure out cultural associations with the heart.

twyf

(v) to declare, decree, "speak into being"

twyys

(n) road, street, path

Th

thakj

(v) to flip, topple, roll, upset

V

vej

(v) to buy

vejdewaakj

(n) merchant (buy-sell-er)

ver

(n) black/grey sand (the usual kind) (n, metaph) something common and not particularly valuable (especially in expressions)

Notes

There will be a lot of expressions using this term, but I'm still working on what they are.

vewken

(n) harness (that you would put on a horse or horse-like creature)

vewwed

(n) catamaran with a mast on each hull, and sail strung between

vylejat

(n) whisker (on a cat, dog, etc.)

vypajme

(adj) hungry (in the literal sense)

vyy

(v) to swim (fish and humans do this, octopodes do not)

W

wesj

(n) arm (body part)

wetek

(v) to tap, making a clicking sound

X

xaxyn

(n) foot (body part)

xew

(v) to covet, desire/long for something you cannot have

xycna

(n) rope, line

Notes

NOTE: what's the difference between this as *saaqy*?

xymby

(n) toe

Etymology

Probably cognate with both *dewy* 'finger' and the second part of *xaxyn* 'foot', although it's not entirely clear how that relationship works just yet.

xynexw

(n) ankle

Etymology

The first part is probably related to the second part of *xaxyn* 'foot', and the final *-xw* to the ending of *laaxw* 'wrist', but the exact origin of these formants remains unclear.

Xw

xwar

(v) there is, there are (existential verb)

Y

yj

(prep) through, along

yjder

(n) trimaran with a fore-and-aft rigged mast on the middle hull, which is
generally larger and longer than the others.

ykar

(v) to lift, raise (a cover) (v) (with refrigerator) to open

Notes

This word is used for opening refrigerators and similar small controlled-environment storage devices, due to the fact that such devices in the world that the Maurang inhabit generally have the shelves on a platform in the center that can be lifted up to get things out, and then pushed back down into the refrigeration unit.

ymmas

(n) morning (n, arch) dawn, sunrise

Etymology

From *yp* "sun", plus the incohative *-na-*, plus a nominalizing suffix *-s*.

ynjaam

(n) white/yellow sand (relatively rare on the Maurang archipelago, and thus
valued quite highly)
(n, metaph) treasure
(n, slang) money, dough, moolah

Etymology

It is possible that this word was originally a compound, although it's not clear what of just yet.

ysjek

(prep) in, inside

ysjekem

(adv) inside

Notes

NOTE: is this directional, or stative locative? Or what?

ytlak

(n) claw, talon

yvar

(n) octopus

Zc

zcyym

(v) to pant, breathe hard

Zj

zjew

(prep) with, using (instrumental)

Zh

zhew

(v) to put, place (something somewhere) (v) to set down, cease to carry

zhyy

(v) to steal