Sh'oramelai - Core Grammar
A primer on the core grammar of the Sh'oramelai language.
More on Sh’oramelai:
About Sh’oramelai
Alphabet and Pronunciation
Morphology
Dictionary
High Sh'oramelai
Sh’oramelai follows English sentence structure – Subject-Verb-Object.
Verb Rules
Verbs should use the proper form depending on the action. See the dictionary for a list of verbs and verb forms.
Prefixes
These apply to both nouns and verbs, depending on where they are placed in the sentence.
Definite Article
The = ha-
Example: ha-sira – the light
Note: There are no other definiate articles. “a” and “an” are dropped. “ha-” is only used when a speaker/writer wants to emphasize a specific thing.
“ha-” is used with a hyphen.
Example
English: She talked to a teacher. – This doesn’t reference a specific teacher. Just “a” teacher. In Sh’oramelai, “a” wouldn’t exist.
Sh’oramelai: Sh’a yaunel van therest.
Literal: She spoke to teacher.
English: She talked to the teacher. – Reference to a specific teacher.
Sh’oramelai: Sh’a yaunel van ha-therest.
Literal: She spoke to the teacher.
hel- acts a negator
hel- negates a verb’s implied action, but it can also refer to “no/none” of a noun.
hel- does not use hyphens or spaces. It connects directly to the front of the word.
Verb Examples
helmelir – is not flowing
helmelai – does not want to flow
helmeliel – may not flow
helmeleth – would not flow
Noun Examples
helomel – no trees
helmel – no water
ni- acts as an interrogator
This is placed before a verb or noun. Never a pronoun.
ni- does not use hyphens or spaces. It connects directly to the front of the word.
Verb Examples
Mel ha-nimelir – Is the water flowing? – Literal: Water the question-flowing?
Sh’a nimelai – Does he want to flow? – Literal: She/He/They question-flow-want?
Iya nimeltha – Will you flow? (in the future, definite) – Literal: You question-flow-will?
Noun Examples
Mel nihael? – Is there water? – Literal: Water question-exist?
Although this would be awkward. They would more likely be direct and ask “Is there water in the well?” – Nimel mil ha-melya? – Literal: Question-water in the well?
Iya nivaleth? – Do you have a blade? – Literal: You question-blade?
Time Additives
These are only used when the speaker/writer wants to emphasize time, especially with questions.
Sometimes using these can be considered rude.
These have a space between them and the rest of the word.
na – now – na melir – is flowing now
lir – earlier – lir melel – had flowed earlier
thal – later = thal meliel – hope it flows later
Verb Examples
Iya na sh’ivareth – You may cast a spell now. – You now cast magic-may. (granting permission)
Sh’a lir nivelinel – Have they died? – Literal: They earlier question-died?
Sh’a thal melyuantha. – She will sing in the future. – She future sing-will.
Modifiers
Sh’oramelai does not have distinct adjectives or adverbs. Instead, nouns are used directly as modifiers, both for other nouns and verbs.
The noun or verb being modified always comes first, followed by the modifier noun(s).
Mulitiple Modifiers
Multiple modifiers are allowed.
When using more than one modifier, connect them with “e” (and).
If there are three or more modifiers, separate them with commas. Place “e” before the final modifier.
If modifiers are equally important, order them alphabetically. Otherwise, order by priority or emphasis.
Structure:
Noun/Verb + Modifier Nouns(s)
Examples:
Sira aenil – light (that is) dreamlike
Literal: Light dream
Mel jenil– Peaceful water
Literal: Peace water
Sh’a melir jenil – They are flowing peacefully
Literal: They flowing peace
Ha-senthphel senth e thun. – The guardian is strong and brave.
Literal: The guardian strength and bravery.
Ha-neahest jain, sael, e s’iej. – The dancer is beautiful, graceful, and kind.
Literal: The dancer grace, beauty, and kindness.
Core Words
Conjuctions
And – e
But – o
Or – u
Prepositions
At – tal
From – oni
In/within – mil
On – ali
Of – van
Through – vano
To/Toward – vani
Articles and Determiners
The – ha-
Affirmatives and Negatives
No/none – hel
Yes – sh’i
Notes on English Words That May Seem Missing
So where are because, why, where, etc?
These concepts do exist in Sh’oramelai, but are expressed differently, often more directly or semantically.
Below are just a few examples:
Because – It is said as “Pronoun remember the cause.”
“Ei senri ha-s’aeth.”
Literal: I remember the cause.
English Equivalent: Because of that or simply “because.”
Why – This exists as a noun “rau” (reason) in Sh’oramelai.
To ask why, simply say: “Nirau?”
Literal: question-reason?
English Equivalent: Why?
Where – This exists as a noun “urion” (unknown place).
“Emar niurion?”
“We question-unknown place?
English Equivalent: Where are we?
Pronouns
Neutral Pronouns
Note: These are the ones most commonly used.
He/She/They (singular) – sh’a
I – ei
They – sh’aren
We – emar
You – iya
Intimate/Familiar Pronouns
Note: These are used only with very close family and friends.
He/She/They (singular) – sh’ari
I – eiri
They – sh’arenri
We – emarri
You – iyari
Honorific Pronouns
Note: These are used for formal settings or to convey honor.
He/She/They (singular) – sh’alau
I – eilau (referring directly to yourself in an honorific would be considered pretentious)
They – sh’arenlau
We – emarlau
You – iyalau
Note on Reflexive (“-self”) Words
Sh’oramelai intentionally excludes reflexive pronouns like “myself” or “yourself.” The people of this world typically don’t think of an abstract self. They think of identity as a blend of “soul (sh’ora)” and “body (nau)”: two distinct but interconnected parts tethered to a greater celestial continuum. “Person (sh’en)” is used to imply the whole identity, especially when referring to others.
As a result, they tend to be more literal in dealing with soul vs body, expressing introspection and self-reference through direct terms for soul and body.
Examples:
English: “I look at myself.”
Sh’oramelai: “Ei elenir tal ha-nau van ei.”
Literal: “I look at the body of me.”
English: “I looked within myself”
Sh’oramelai: “Ei elenel mil he-sh’ora van ei.”
Literal: “I looked in the soul of me.”
Possession Rules
No possessive pronouns. Ownership is expressed with “van”
Noun1 van Pronoun/Noun2 – Noun1 of Pronoun/Noun2
Example: nael van emar = our name. (Literally: name of us)
Pronoun example:
Ei aelunir iya – I love you. Ei = I, aelunir = love, -ir ongoing, iya = you
Could also be said as “Ei aelunae iya,” which would imply a more permanent state of love.
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