3. Nahha Language

The Nahha encountered many different cultures and languages during the time of growth. To overcome problems of education, trade and law they developed a global language called 'Simot~b' (pron: see-mott-urb). It was based on the most influential languages spoken at the time. This achievement significantly helped the 'Nahha' become a single cohesive society and the venerable Profession of Linguistics currently acts as custodian of the language - or try to, it's a running joke that the harder they try the less successful they become.

Although the language was originally meant to be a 'trading' or 'shared' language and is administered centrally - all regions have started using it as their primary language and their own original languages have been subsumed into the 'local culture'. For this reason it is interesting to note that some parts of local languages and phrases have 'leaked' back into the central language on a regional basis. It is also worth pointing out that despite there being a single or preferred 'proper' pronunciation, in fact strong regional accents can sometimes make the language sound very different, especially when some of the local words are used.

Nahha writing reads from left to right like ours but has several more basic letters. They have six vowels pronounced: ah, eh, ee, oh, uh and uhr (a e i o u ~). Pronunciation is generally phonetic with the emphasis nearly always on the penultimate syllable, although there are of course regional variations. Sentences start on new lines and paragraphs are signified by a blank line.

It's also worth pointing out that quite a few words have no exact equivalence in English. For instance, although the word samam means heathen/barbarian/subhuman it also provokes the emotion of disgust to the point of prejudice. The word peyrit refers to the computer systems in their nahhum as if it is a living entity and part of the family with a personality of its own. Likewise a nahhum or nahhumar is a school, hospital and place to both live and work. There word for family [resomo] usually refers to the members of a 'nahhum' and not specifically to related people.

Full details on the primary language (and its derivations) and some local languages can be found in the project reference library for authorized personnel.