The Pragmatics section explains how context and social conventions shape the use and interpretation of Naucan. It covers several phenomena:
Deictic forms point to different referents depending on who is speaking, where, and when. Naucan distinguishes both spatial and temporal deixis.
To mark an element as topic (given information) or focus (new or contrastive), Naucan primarily uses:
Fronting: Moving the constituent to the very front of the clause.
Intonation shift: Emphatic stress on the focused element.
Case marking: The subjective versus oblique case signals grammatical role, but there are no special focus particles.
The respectful form avoids the 2nd‑person pronoun gi (“you”) and uses marek (“sir/ma’am”) instead.
A dedicated honorific prefix da‑ can be attached to titles or nouns denoting respected figures (e.g. da‑kawne “Sir Father”).
Naucan has no grammatical evidential markers, but uses particles and interjections to convey attitude or source-of‑information:
khages — “maybe” (possibility)
phirse — “surely?” (seeking confirmation)
a?, sas? — “huh?”, “right?” (requests for attention or confirmation)
Common connective words and interjections:
bēs “well”
sitay “so/therefore”
kenzat “by the way”
sōthse “actually”
Set phrases, metaphors, and idioms (see “Metaphors & Fixed Expressions”).
Although VSO is the unmarked pattern, fronting an element for topic or focus is common. Circumstantial adjuncts normally appear clause‑finally, but may appear clause‑initially or parenthetically for contrast or emphasis.
Typical conversational patterns:
Greetings
Berre! “Hello!” / “Goodbye!”
Berizak! “Good day!”
“How are you?”
Kak mīm gi yek? “How are you?”
Possible replies: bēs “well,” bēs, gi? “well, and you?”, sudi bēs “all good,” bēs tir ras “not great,” sitay sitay “so‑so,” wenes “badly.”
Farewells
Berethawk! “Good night!”
Thi! “Bye!” (from Thi ikubō urna yek!)
No da‑ussitēn! (for nobility) “May the blood protect you!”