VIIan

VIIan is a fictional constructed language created for the science fiction setting of the Starbound Shores series. It is the native tongue of the VIIan people, who inhabit the Seven Isles archipelago. In the lore, VIIan functions as a central element of cultural identity, shaping storytelling, ritual speech, and maritime signaling. The language is described as lyrical and relatively compact, with a phonology designed to evoke sea winds and salt air.

Phonology and writing: VIIan has five vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and a moderate consonant inventory that includes p, t, k, m, n, s, l, and r. Syllables are typically CV or CVC, and stress is usually on the penultimate syllable. The writing system, known as the VIIan script, is an alphabet with diacritics used to mark mood and aspect; it appears in inscriptions, manuscripts, and navigational charts.

Grammar: The language is described as largely analytic with SVO word order in simple clauses, though the order is flexible in discourse-driven contexts. Nouns mark number with suffixes, while verbs carry affixes for tense, aspect, and mood. Pronouns differentiate inclusive and exclusive first-person plural; postpositions rather than prepositions mark spatial and other relations.

Usage and reception: In canon material, VIIan appears across novels, animated installments, and role-playing games within the Starbound Shores universe. It has inspired scholarly glossaries and fan-made grammars, and is used by learners within the fictional community to access cultural texts and navigation manuals.

Example: a simple sentence in VIIan, “Veli anor tal,” translates as “The sea speaks.”