Sydona: Difference between revisions

The majority and official language of the Sydona Islands is Austral Coscivian. Known simply as ''ludnarauna'' or "common speech" in written sources for the first few centuries of the Coscivian presence, during which time High Coscivian was the main language of administration and Maritime Coscivian the main language of commerce, the history of Austral Coscivian remains poorly understood and is of great interest to linguists. Most theories of the language's development accept that it developed mainly from the "Common Iatic" language spoken as a lingua franca across much of the southern and western Coscivian Empire, and note a significant Pelian influence from early on, as well as noticeable Maritime Coscivian influence in coastal dialects. Austral Coscivian is not considered mutually intelligible with Kiravic, though monolingual speakers of the two languages can often communicate to a limited degree with sufficient effort.

Kiravic Coscivian is an auxiliary official language, and is spoken by up to 40% of the population, mostly as a second language, though it is common as a first language in the major cities and among the Mainlander community. All public information is available in Kiravic, and many large businesses now work mainly in Kiravic. However, Austral Coscivian remains the dominant language, and most Kiravic-speakers living in Sydona must learn Austral Coscivian in order to get by. The Sydonan government has extended a great deal of patronage toward the language, and has instituted programmes to promote it in literature, the arts, academia, and daily life.

Other languages spoken in Sydona by sizeable communities include Pelian, Arabic, Melotic, Istro-Coscivian, and Leinish, all of which are accommodated by the government.