Editing User:Firesong/Alethi language

'''Alethi''' is a language in the [[Vorin language family]], whose speakers primarily inhabit [[Alethkar]].{{wob ref|3977}} The namesake of the language is Alethkar or Alethela, the country in which the language is spoken.

Alethi is the most spoken language in Alethkar. 

== Classification ==
Alethi is a Vorin language which evolved from an ancestral proto-language, which had an unknown urheimat, which was likely situated in eastern Roshar.{{wob ref|3977}} As a Vorin language, it is related to Veden, Bav, Herdazian, Kharbranthian, and Natan. 

Alethi is most closely related to Veden and Kharbaranthian, with Thaylen, Herdazian and Natan being more distantly related.{{wob ref|3977}}{{wob ref|7125}}

== History ==
{{image|Oathgate Locations.jpg|Early proto-Thaylo-Vorin script depicted written along the edge of the map, listing the names of the Silver Kingdoms|side=right|width=300px}}

As a Vorin language,{{wob ref|3977}} it ultimately descends from an ancestral language which evolved over time to become modern Alethi. This ancestral language itself likely has basis in an unnamed Ashynite language or set of languages spoken by the Ashynites that migrated to Roshar around 7000 Rosharan years, or 7700 standard years, before the True Desolation.{{book ref|sa4|14}}{{book ref|sa4|76}}

It historically made use of the Dawnchant script, adapted to fit with their own language. This led to gradual changes compounding over time, experiencing various transitionary stages,{{wob ref|12981}}{{file ref|Oathgate_Locations.jpg| Oathgate Locations}} and eventually evolving into proto-Thaylo-Vorin radicals, which ultimately became modern Vorin glyphs.{{book ref|sa3|i|2}} 

At some point during the Silver Kingdoms era, the Alethi language went through a period known as classical Alethelan, this stage requires trained scribes to decipher.{{book ref|sa3|104}}

The Women's script began to form more than 1800 years before the True Desolation, where it was known as the Alethi protoscript.{{book ref|sa2|77}} This eventually became the modern Women's Script. 

Over this period, the language itself underwent various changes, enough so that writings from around 1800 years before the True Desolation{{book ref|sa3|56}} are considered highly difficult to understand by educated modern speakers; despite ultimately remaining mutually intelligible.{{book ref|sa2|77}}

=== Phonological History of Alethi ===
Throughout its history, Alethi underwent various phonetic shifts, though the order in which these changes manifested is currently unknown. Below are featured a list of currently known phonological changes, listed in no particular order.  

* The ''h'' character was historically a weakly-voiced postalveolar non-sibilant fricative, which later shifted backward to a velar fricative, beginning weakly-voiced and later becoming voiceless. As of {{rosharan date|1175}}, it manifests as a [[wikipedia:voiceless glottal fricative|voiceless glottal fricative]], though it has shifted elsewhere in other accents and dialects.{{wob ref|11464}}
* The ''l'' character was historically a [[wikipedia:voiced alveolar lateral fricative|voiced alveolar lateral fricative]], which is still seen in some environments, but it primarily shifted to a [[wikipedia:voiced alveolar lateral approximant|voiced alveolar lateral approximant]].{{wob ref|11464}}
* The t/d/r/th/l group was historically alveolar, and s/z/n/sh/h were historically postalveolar.{{wob ref|11464}} ''L'', however, remained alveolar.
* The k/g/y/ch/j group used to have [[wikipedia:Doubly articulated consonant|dual articulation]], similar to a velarized postalveolar consonant. As of {{rosharan date|1174}}, the articulation has separated, with some phonemes becoming velar and others becoming postalveolar.{{wob ref|11464}}
* The [[wikipedia:voiced postalveolar affricate|voiced postalveolar affricate]] and [[wikipedia:voiced palatal approximant|voiced palatal approximant]] merged in certain dialects.{{wob ref|11464}}
* A vowel shift occurred where /a/ shifted to /e/ in certain environments.{{wob ref|12121}}{{wob ref|4404}} This occurred some time after the Last Desolation,{{wob ref|4404}}
* In [[Rathalas]] Alethi, various phonemes were nasalized,{{book ref|sa3|11}} this change occurred prior to {{rosharan date|1141}}.{{book ref|sa3|11}}

== Geographical distribution ==
Alethi is primarily spoken in Alethkar, though second language speakers exist all across Roshar.

== Phonology ==
The phonetics and phonology of the Alethi language differ from one dialect or accent to another, typically without interfering with mutual communication between speakers.{{book ref|sa3|11}}{{book ref|sa3|16}}

=== Consonants ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Alethi Consonant phonemes*
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" | !! colspan="2" | Labial !! colspan="2" | Dental !! colspan="2" | Alveolar !! colspan="2" | Post-alveolar !! colspan="2" | Palatal !! colspan="2" | Velar !! colspan="2" | Glottal
|-
! <small>Voiced</small> !! <small>Voiceless</small> !! <small>Voiced</small> !! <small>Voiceless</small> !! <small>Voiced</small> !! <small>Voiceless</small> !! <small>Voiced</small> !! <small>Voiceless</small> !! <small>Voiced</small> !! <small>Voiceless</small> !! <small>Voiced</small> !! <small>Voiceless</small> !! <small>Voiced</small> !! <small>Voiceless</small>
|-
! colspan="2" | Nasal
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Labial Nasal --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Labial Nasal -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Dental Nasal --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Dental Nasal -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Alveolar Nasal --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Alveolar Nasal -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Post-Alveolar Nasal --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Post-Alveolar Nasal -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Palatal Nasal --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Palatal Nasal -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Velar Nasal --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Velar Nasal -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Glottal Nasal --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Glottal Nasal -->
|-
! colspan="2" | Plosive
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Labial Plosive --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Labial Plosive -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Dental Plosive --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Dental Plosive -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Alveolar Plosive --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Alveolar Plosive -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Post-Alveolar Plosive --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Post-Alveolar Plosive -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Palatal Plosive --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Palatal Plosive -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Velar Plosive --> || style="border-left: 0;" | K{{wob ref|1636}}
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Glottal Plosive --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Glottal Plosive -->
|-
! colspan="2" | Affricate
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Labial Affricate --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Labial Affricate -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Dental Affricate --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Dental Affricate -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Alveolar Affricate --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Alveolar Affricate -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | dʒ<sup>**</sup> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Post-Alveolar Affricate -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Palatal Affricate --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Palatal Affricate -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Velar Affricate --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Velar Affricate -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Glottal Affricate --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Glottal Affricate -->
|-
! rowspan="2" | Fricative
! <small>Central</small>
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Labial central fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Labial central fricative -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Dental central fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Dental central fricative -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Alveolar central fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Alveolar central fricative -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Post-Alveolar central fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Post-Alveolar central fricative -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Palatal central fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Palatal central fricative -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Velar central fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | Kh{{wob ref|1847}}
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Glottal central fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | H{{wob ref|11464}}{{book ref|sa2|47}}
|-
! <small>Lateral</small>
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Labial lateral fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Labial lateral fricative -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Dental lateral fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Dental lateral fricative -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | Lh<sup>***</sup>{{wob ref|11464}}  || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Alveolar lateral fricative --> 
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Post-Alveolar lateral fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Post-Alveolar lateral fricative -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Palatal lateral fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Palatal lateral fricative -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Velar lateral fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Velar lateral fricative -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Glottal lateral fricative --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Glottal lateral fricative -->
|-
! rowspan="2" | Approximant
! <small>Central</small>
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Labial central approximant --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Labial central approximant -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Dental central approximant --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Dental central approximant -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Alveolar central approximant --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Alveolar central approximant -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Post-Alveolar central approximant --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Post-Alveolar central approximant -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | J/Y{{wob ref|11464}} || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Palatal central approximant --> 
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Velar central approximant --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Velar central approximant -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Glottal central approximant --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Glottal central approximant -->
|-
! <small>Lateral</small>
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Labial lateral approximant --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Labial lateral approximant -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Dental lateral approximant --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Dental lateral approximant -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | L{{wob ref|11464}} || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Alveolar lateral approximant --> 
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Post-Alveolar lateral approximant --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Post-Alveolar lateral approximant -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Palatal lateral approximant --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Palatal lateral approximant -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Velar lateral approximant --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Velar lateral approximant -->
| style="border-right: 0;" | <!-- Voiced Glottal lateral approximant --> || style="border-left: 0;" | <!-- Voiceless Glottal lateral approximant -->
|-
|}
<span style="font-size:90%">* As Alethi phonology is not fully known, this table contains only confirmed phonemes.</span><br>
<span style="font-size:90%">** Only in certain dialects, typically depicted as a J.{{wob ref|11464}}</span><br>
<span style="font-size:90%">*** Only retained in certain environments, in most instances shifted to a voiced alveolar lateral approximant.{{wob ref|11464}}</span>

Alethi is known to possess geminated consonants in word-final environments.{{book ref|sa1|1}}{{book ref|sa1|44}}

=== Vowels ===
Alethi has at least five monothongs, transliterated as a, e, i, o, and u.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}} And at least two dipthongs, as seen in [[Aesudan]] and [[Ialai]]. The exact phonemes depicted by these vowels are currently unknown.

=== Phonotactics ===
An Alethi syllable includes a syllable nucleus consisting of a vowel sound, with an optional onset or coda. As it is currently known, a syllable can begin with up to two consonants, and end with up to two.{{book ref|sa2|9}}{{book ref|sa2|82}}{{book ref|sa3|16}} This gives a Alethi syllable the structure (CC)V(CC).{{ref|group=fn|text=<span style="font-size:90%">While transliterated as two letters, Ch, Th, and Sh are depicted as a single letter in the Vorin orthography.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}}{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 2.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 2}} and represent a singular phoneme, and are thus considered as one consonant in terms of syllabic structure.</span>}}{{ref|group=fn|text=<span style="font-size:90%">The syllable structure could potentially be more complex, with (CC)V(CC) simply being the greatest cluster currently observed.</span>}}

Stress appears to be put on the first syllable.{{book ref|sa2|9}}

== Grammar ==
Alethi Grammar is largely unknown. 

=== Adjectives ===
Nouns appear to be able to act as adjectives without modification.{{file ref|WoR Endnote.jpg|Navani's Ketek}}{{ref|group=fn|text=<span style="font-size:90%">Given the context in which this appears, within a ketek, this could merely be due to the rules of ketek creation, and not a grammatical aspect of the language.</span>}}

=== Interrogatives ===
Questions in the Women's script are indicated by ending a sentence with the [[wikipedia:Interrogative word|interrogative particle]] "ha."{{file ref|Ship_Designs.jpg|Ship Designs by Navani Kholin}}{{ref|group=fn|text=<span style="font-size:90%">It is not confirmed if this is unique to the written form, or if it is a standard part of the spoken language.</span>}} 

=== Noun Modification ===
Alethi primarily makes use of suffixes to modify words, most notably in names.{{book ref|sa3|7}}{{book ref|sa3|42}}{{book ref|sa3|52}}{{wob ref|3199}}{{ref|group=fn|text=<span style="font-size:90%">As seen in Adolin, Renarin, and Kaladin, each making use of the suffix *-lin* translating to "born unto", which modifies the central noun of their name. This can also be seen in Dalinar, with the suffix -nar, meaning "like unto".{{book ref|sa3|52}}</span>}} However, compound words have the modifying word placed before the noun it modifies.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}}

=== Numerals ===
The Alethi language does not appear to distinguish between ordinal and cardinal numerals, and numbers are situated before the noun that they modify.{{wob ref|6461}}{{ref|group=fn|text=<span style="font-size:90%">''Vev'' is used for the cardinal number four, and also is used in ''Vev Gesheh'' for Bridge Four.{{wob ref|6461}}</span>}}

=== Pronouns ===
Alethi pronouns are not marked for gender in the spoken form, with gendered pronouns only being used in the Women's formal script.{{book ref|sa3|122}} It is unknown if pronouns are marked for case or number.

== Vocabulary ==
The Alethi language has a tendency towards [[wikipedia: Synecdoche|synecdoche]], in particular ''[[wikipedia: Pars pro toto|pars pro toto]]'', in which they tend to describe an entire group with the name of a member of that group, such as calling all birds chickens or all alcoholic beverages wine.{{cite}}

Few words are known in their non-glyphic form; these include ''Mathana'', a formal term for older sister, and ''Mashala'', for a word for aunt.{{book ref|sa1|22}}{{book ref|sa1|60}}

They do not have words for leaders or leadership that are not intrinsically linked to eye-color, which can make discussion of non-Vorin cultures difficult.{{book ref|sa1|40}}

=== Word-formation processes ===
Alethi has a tendency to compound lexemes together in order to form new words, leading to the language having a large quantity of compound lexemes.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}}{{wob ref|5644}} For example, ''Parshendi'', a noun coined after the Alethi meeting with the Listeners in {{rosharan date|1166}}, is made up of ''Parsh'' and ''Endi'', translating to ''Parshmen who can think''.{{cite}} Which is written with the glyphs for ''parap'', ''shenesh'' and ''idi''.{{cite}}

=== Numerals ===
Alethi is a base-10 language which makes use of positional notation. Numbers are constructed by using the full name of the first digit of a number, and then chaining suffixes for every other digit in the number. For example, the number "1173" is "Jesesabach", using Jes (1), -es (1), -ab (7), -ach (3). How the digit zero is handled in the spoken language is currently unclear.

There does not appear to be a grammatical distinction between ordinal and cardinal numerals.{{wob ref|6461}}

{| class="infobox"
|-
! Number
| 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 || 9 || 10
|-
! Vorin Name
| Jes || Nan || Chach || Vev || Palah || Shash || Betab || Kak || Tanat || Ishi
|-
! Suffix
| -es || -an || -ach || -ev || -ah || -ash || -ab || -ak || -at || -ish
|}

== Orthography ==
Alethi is written in two primary writing systems, [[Glyphs]] and [[Women's script]]. Earlier texts made use of the [[Dawnchant]] writing system adapted to fit with early Alethi, which later evolved into proto-Thaylo-Vorin radicals, which evolved into modern Vorin glyphic orthography.{{book ref|sa3|i|2}} The Women's script was made at an unknown time in the evolution of modern glyphs, taking on its modern form some time less than 1800 years before the True Desolation.{{book ref|sa2|77}} 

=== Glyphs ===
{{image|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|The first half of a letter and in-depth discussion of Alethi glyphs.|side=right|width=150px}}
{{image|Alethi Glyphs Page 2.jpg|The second page of a letter discussing Alethi Glyphs.|side=right|width=150px}}
{{for|Glyphs}}

Glyphs are a pseudo-logographic script primarily used among Alethi men. They are made up of various phonetic radicals descended from Dawnchant script, with the phonemes flipped or distorted to fit the shape of the glyph.{{book ref|sa3|i|2}}{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}} Over time, glyphs change in shape and lose the phonetic information coded into them, leaving them as logographs.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}} However, it is possible to still read the phonemes if one knows what one is looking for.{{book ref|twok|27}}

The creation of new glyphs makes use of these phonemes. It takes a trained calligrapher, with a deep knowledge of how how the glyph may be expressed without overly obscuring the meaning, in order to make new glyphs.{{wob ref|6461}} Glyphs are made into bilaterally symmetric pictographs, so that they can be read by the illiterate, and ultimately act as a logography.{{book ref|twok|3}}{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}} For example, the glyph for [[Zatalef|zatalef]] is shaped like a zatalef, so that it can be understood even without reading the phonemic components.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}} 

Glyphs have simplified versions intended for small writing,{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}} and shorthand variants for quicker writing.{{wob ref|8962}}
 
==== Phonemes ====
The Phonemes that make up Glyphs are separated into three main groups, Standard, Calligraphic, and Hybrid.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}}{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 2.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 2}} These can each be distorted by the calligrapher to fit their vision for the glyph.{{book ref|twok|3}}{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}} 

Several consonants cannot be represented with a singular phoneme, such as the voiceless velar fricative, and thus are depicted as digraphs.{{wob ref|11464}}

==== Glyphpairs ====

Words can be made out of one glyph, or made of two glyphs known as glyphpairs; in rare circumstances, a word can be made up of three glyphs. When a word is expressed by a glyphpair, they are not read in a purely phonetic manner, for instance the glyphpair for ''kezeras'' is made up of the glyphs for ''kecheh'' and ''zeras''.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}} These are primarily used for names or compound words, and are slightly more common than singular glyphs.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}}

==== Evolution ====
Glyphic evolution is separated into three primary phases, Old, Middle, and Modern. Each stage grows gradually more simplified over time.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}}{{wob ref|8960}}{{wob ref|8964}} Modern glyphs have not undergone this simplification, and thus retain their complexity compared to older glyphs.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}} 

As they evolve, they lose the phonetic information coded into them, as people who do not understand the phonemes present in the glyph attempt to increase the ease of writing, leaving them as logographs.{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Alethi Glyphs: Page 1}}{{wob ref|8964}}

==== Stormwarden Script ====
{{for|Stormwarden script}}

A form of written Alethi that makes use of Glyphs to create full sentences, bypassing the restriction on male literacy imposed by Vorin society.{{cite}}

=== Women's Script ===
{{image|OB_Endnote.jpg|A ketek written by [[Jasnah Kholin]].|side=right|width=150px}}
{{for|Women's script}}

Women's script is an alphabetic script primarily used by women in Vorin nations, including Alethkar. It came into use over 1800 years before the True Desolation as the Alethi protoscript, before taking on its modern form.{{book ref|sa2|77}}

There is a shorthand form of Women's script, which makes use of simplified versions of letters, and a tendency to shorten words or use replacements.{{wob ref|12187}}
<!---
H: This is often indicated through a diacritic marker placed on a consonant to indicate that it is pronounced as a voiceless glottal fricative.{{book ref|sa2|47}}
--->
==== Groupings ====
The script is organized into five primary groups based upon historical area of articulation of various phonemes.{{wob ref|11464}}

==== Grammar ====
Women's Script has various grammatical rules not found in the standard spoken language.{{book ref|sa3|122}} 

Pronouns are gendered in the written script, unlike in the spoken language.{{book ref|sa3|122}}

Questions are indicated by ending a sentence with the interrogative particle "ha."{{file ref|Ship_Designs.jpg|Ship Designs by Navani Kholin}} It is not confirmed if this is unique to the written form, or if it is a standard part of the spoken language.

=== Numerals ===
Alethi numerals make use of a vertically oriented positional system, with digits oriented from the bottom to the top. 

Numerals can be depicted in the traditional manner depicted in the table below, or could be heavily stylized to fit within a larger glyph.{{file ref|Bridge_Four_tattoos_page.jpeg|Bridge Four Tattoos Page}}

In the past, Alethkar made use of a system of writing numerals that are referred to as archaic Alethi numerals.{{book ref|sa3|27}}{{ref|group=fn|text=<span style="font-size:90%">It is not currently confirmed if this system directly evolved into the modern system, or if it was replaced by it.</span>}}

{| class=infobox width=100%
|-
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 0.svg|x15px]]
| width=5%|''0''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 1.svg|x40px]]
| width=5%|''1''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 2.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''2''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 3.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''3''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 4.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''4''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 5.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''5''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 6.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''6''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 7.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''7''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 8.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''8''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 9.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''9''
|-
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 10.svg|x40px]]
| width=5%|''10''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 11.svg|x40px]]
| width=5%|''11''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 12.svg|x40px]]
| width=5%|''12''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 13.svg|x40px]]
| width=5%|''13''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 14.svg|x40px]]
| width=5%|''14''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 15.svg|x40px]]
| width=5%|''15''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 16.svg|x40px]]
| width=5%|''16''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 17.svg|x40px]]
| width=5%|''17''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 18.svg|x40px]]
| width=5%|''18''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 19.svg|x40px]]
| width=5%|''19''
|-
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 20.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''20''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 21.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''21''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 22.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''22''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 23.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''23''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 24.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''24''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 25.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''25''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 26.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''26''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 27.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''27''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 28.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''28''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 29.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''29''
|-
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 80.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''80''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 127.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''127''
! width=5%|[[File: Glyph 1173.svg|x50px]]
| width=5%|''1173''
! width=5%|
| width=5%|
! width=5%|
| width=5%|
! width=5%|
| width=5%|
! width=5%|
| width=5%|
! width=5%|
| width=5%|
! width=5%|
| width=5%|
! width=5%|
| width=5%|
|-
|}

== Dialects, accents and varieties ==
Due to the language's age and the large area it covers, Alethi has a large amount of regional dialects and varieties. 

Within Akethkar, there is considerable variation along lines of social class and region alike, with some traits being considered distinctly darkeyed or lighteyed in nature, a major example being the palatal approximant-postalveolar affricate merger, which is considered a feature of lower-class Alethi.{{book ref|sa2|25}}{{book ref|sa3|14}}{{book ref|sa3|54}}{{wob ref|11464}}

=== Kholinar ===
The accent spoken by people in Kholinar is distinct and noticeable, enough to differentiate it from other Alethi peoples.{{book ref|sa1|43}} Though its features are unknown.

=== Koron ===
An accent in central Alethkar near the [[Sunmaker Mountains]].{{book ref|sa3|16}}

Koron accents are described as possessing a slow drawl.{{book ref|sa3|16}} They pronounce some vowels differently than standard Alethi.{{book ref|sa3|16}}{{ref|group=fn|text=<span style="font-size:90%">Speakers of the Koron accent are depicted pronouncing "to" as "ta", which potentially indicates the presence of a minor vowel shift in their history.</span>{{book ref|sa3|16}}}}

=== Lighteyed Accents ===
Lighteyed accents are a group of accents spoken by the upper class, albeit not universally,{{book ref|sa3|71}} they are typically marked by a merger between the voiced postalveolar affricate and voiced palatal approximant.{{wob ref|11464}}

=== Rathalas Accent ===
[[Rathalas]] has a distinct dialect distinguished by a high quantity of nasalized phonemes compared to standard Alethi.{{book ref|sa3|11}} It is spoken even amongst the lighteyed of the region.{{book ref|sa3|11}}{{book ref|sa3|71}} This accent is also known as a Rifter accent.

=== Rural Accents ===
Many darkeyes talk in an accent described as rural, which is considered indicative of their class.{{book ref|sa2|25}}{{book ref|sa3|14}}{{book ref|sa3|54}} One feature of several of these accents is the lack of a merger between the voiced postalveolar affricate and voiced palatal approximant.{{wob ref|11464}} Another feature that is considered distinctly rural is the clipping of words in a manner considered blunt to some speakers.{{book ref|sa2|25}}

=== Northern Accent ===
A recognizable accent spoken in nothern Alethkar. This is the accent that [[Taln]] took on after his Return shortly before the True Desolation.{{book ref|sa2|i|7}}

=== Unnamed Ancient Dialect ===
An unnamed dialect of Alethi spoken circa two-hundred years after the Recreance, around 1800 years prior to the True Desolation.{{cite}} The written form is notable hard to understand to educated modern speakers, but is ultimately mutually intelligible with modern Alethi.{{book ref|sa2|77}} It is unknown how intelligible it would be to individuals without the proper education, or how intelligible the spoken form would have been compared to the written form.

The features of this dialect and how it differs from modern standard Alethi is currently unknown. Due to this dialect making use of the protoscript, it is likely that it predates various changes in area of articulation that are not reflected in the modern Women's script.{{wob ref|11464}}

=== Foreign Accents ===
Non-native Alethi speakers often pronounce words differently or make grammatical errors based on the speech rules and grammar of their native tongue. This can lead to distinct and innovative pronunciations of Alethi words.   

==== Azish ====
The Azish accent is considered elevated and lofty to some Alethi speakers.{{book ref|sa2|41}}{{book ref|sa2|55}} It is also described as smooth.{{book ref|sa1|14}}

==== Bav ====
The [[Bav]] accent puts further emphasis on certain sounds than other accents, and they talk at a slower rate.{{book ref|sa2|28}}

==== Herdazian ====
The Herdazian accent is distinct and notable for being quick.{{book ref|sa1|40}}
 
==== New Natanan ====
The New Natanan accent involves the lengthening of certain vowels in their speech.{{book ref|sa1|54}}

==== Riran ====
The Riran accent involves the lengthening of certain vowels in their speech.{{book ref|sa3|19}}

==== Thaylen ====
The Thaylen accent is distinguished by an underpronunciation of vowels, resulting in consonant clusters where they would not exist in other accents and dialects.{{book ref|sa1|2}}{{book ref|sa3|107}}

==== Tukari ====
The Tukari have a distinct accent when speaking Alethi.{{book ref|sa4|30}} Though its features are unknown.

==== Unkalaki ====
The Unkalaki accent is distinct and noticeable to Alethi speakers, one speaker is described as pronouncing [[Kaladin]] as “kal-ah-deen,” instead of the standard Alethi “kal-a-din.”{{book ref|sa2|9}} They put stress on different syllables than native speakers.

Heavier Unkalaki accents have a tendency to drop pronouns where the subject is implied or already known,{{wob ref|4584}} or apply gendered pronouns to inanimate objects.{{book ref|sa2|24}}

==== Veden ====
Veden accents are considered very similar to each other by the Alethi.{{book ref|sa2|28}} They are also considered to sound exotic.{{book ref|sa2|28}}

== Trivia ==
* Alethi, along with the rest of the Vorin language family, is based on the Semitic language family, particularly Arabic, with some inspiration by Mediterranean languages and Chinese.{{wob ref|4120}}{{wob ref|4169}}{{wob ref|9301}}

== Notes ==
;Footnotes
<references group=fn />
;References
<references>
</references>
{{partial}}
{{Stormlight}}