izototu

Izototu is a constructed language (conlang) created as a linguistic experiment within online communities. It aims to combine regular morphology with a compact phonology and a flexible syntax. Because it is a constructed language, there are no native speakers; learning materials, grammars, and lexicons are maintained by hobbyists and shared in open wikis and forums.

Izototu uses a modest phonology with 15 consonants and five vowels. Consonants include p, t, k, m, n, s, l, r, f, h, w, j, b, d, g, and vowels are a, e, i, o, u. The standard writing system is Latin-based, with diacritics to mark vowel length and quality; an optional syllabary has been proposed by some contributors. Stress is generally predictable, aiding learners in pronunciation.

The grammar of Izototu is primarily subject–object–verb (SOV), though word order is flexible to convey emphasis. Nouns take postnominal case markers, while verbs are highly agglutinative, carrying affixes for tense, aspect, mood, evidentiality, and negation. Pronouns distinguish inclusive and exclusive forms, and a small set of focal particles helps mark new information in discourse. Adjectives function within noun phrases through agreement markers on the noun rather than as separate modifiers in all contexts.

Lexicon centers on everyday concepts, and authentic texts appear in learning guides and community storytelling. A typical sentence template follows subject–object–verb with a final verb that bears tense marking. Resources include a beginner grammar, a learner’s dictionary, example texts, and an online parser used by enthusiasts for practice and feedback.

Izototu emerged in online conlang circles in the 2010s and 2020s and remains a collaborative, evolving project rather than a standardized language.