Dark elves primarily speak a language known as Shiväisith, which is often referred to as the "soft speech."
Understanding Shiväisith: The "Soft Speech"
Shiväisith is characterized by a unique linguistic feature that gives it its evocative nickname, "soft speech." This distinctive quality stems from a specific phonological rule that alters the pronunciation of certain consonants, making the language flow with a softer, more fluid sound.
The Frication Rule
The core of Shiväisith's "softness" lies in its frication rule. This rule dictates that "hard" plosive sounds—consonants that involve a complete stop of airflow followed by a release—are transformed into "soft" fricative sounds. Fricatives are produced by constricting, but not completely blocking, the airflow, creating a hissing or buzzing sound.
This transformation results in a significant change in the phonetic texture of the language:
| Original "Hard" Sound | Transformed "Soft" Sound | Example of Transformation |
|---|---|---|
| p | f | (e.g., 'p' becomes 'f') |
| t | th (as in "thin") | (e.g., 't' becomes 'th') |
| d | dh (as in "this") | (e.g., 'd' becomes 'dh') |
| k | h | (e.g., 'k' becomes 'h') |
| g | h | (e.g., 'g' becomes 'h') |
This consistent softening of sounds contributes to Shiväisith's distinctive auditory quality, distinguishing it from other languages and embodying the subtle, often ominous, nature attributed to dark elves.
