wchoni

Wchoni is a fictional constructed language developed for speculative fiction and world-building. In its in-universe setting, it serves as the lingua franca of the archipelago-world of Nirel, arising from long-standing contact among diverse communities and blending features from several source languages.

Phonology: Wchoni uses five vowels (a e i o u) and a modest set of consonants: p, t, k, m, n, s, l, r, w, h, and y. Syllables are typically CV or CVC, and consonant clusters are limited. The language is not toned, and stress generally falls on the penultimate syllable. A vowel-harmony system links suffix vowels to the root vowels, shaping word formation across affixes.

Grammar: Wchoni follows a subject–verb–object order. Nouns mark number with a plural suffix and use postnominal particles for case. Verbs encode tense and aspect with suffixes; negation is expressed by the particle na before the verb. Pronouns distinguish person and number and combine with verbs for emphasis. The language also uses postpositions rather than articles.

Writing: Wchoni is written with a Latin-based alphabet, occasionally supplemented by a decorative syllabary in ceremonial contexts. Diacritics indicate vowel quality and stress, while spacing conventions reflect contemporary norms.

Varieties and status: In the fictional setting, wchoni is widely learned as a lingua franca across Nirel, with urban coastal varieties incorporating many loanwords and highland dialects preserving older forms. Contact with other languages continues to produce new creoles and dialectal differences. It remains a world-building artifact rather than a real-world language.