Zovu’s element Roots

16 Elements

Zovu categorizes everything into four domains (waves, matter, cosmos, and spirit). In each of these domains there are 4 elements each pertaining to a particular one of 4 natures (Seen Change, Unseen Change, Seen Entity, and Unseen Entity). This produces 16 elements in total. The vast majority of Zovu’s vocabulary is created by the concept of these elements and their combinations –

Wave

Light

Heat

Gravity

Sound

Matter

Water

Fire

Earth

Air

Spirit

Love

Will

Knowledge

Imagination

Cosmos

Life

Death

Space

Time

Phonetically, these natures are represented by vowels ([a], [i], [u], [e] respectively) and each domain is represented by a consonant (explained later). These elements are then represented by 16 elemental morphemes in consonant-vowel structure. For example –

[zi] = Water

[za] = Earth

[ʒi] = Life

[ʒa] = Space

Element combinations

These elements then combine to create complex morphemes for more complex concepts. For example –

[ziʒa] = Body of water

[zaʒa] = Land

[ʒaza] = Space below

[ziʒi] = River

Conceptually, [ʒiza] directly translates to “water of space.” To combine elements of the same domain directly adjacent to each other, the redundant consonant is excluded, simplifying the morphemes –

[zai] = Mud

[zia] = Saltwater

As seen above, the chronology of the elements changes the word entirely. The primary expression of each word is held by the first morpheme, secondarily by the second morpheme, and so on. To express a domain itself (e.g., matter), its representative consonant is followed by an [o] and acts like an Elemental morpheme –

[zo] = Matter

[zoʒo] = Environment

[ʒoa] = Symmetry

[ʒoi] = Growth

Parts of speech

Each domain has a group of 4 consonants it can be expressed by depending on the part of speech (POS) the word is functioning as (noun, verb, adjective, adverb). For example, the words/phrases “quantity”, “to quantify”, “numerous”, and “many times” are all derived from the same element combination (knowledge + space) but in different POS –

[vaʒa] = Quantity (Noun)

[bad͡ʒa] =  Numerous (Adjective)

[faʃa] = To quantify (Verb)

[pat͡sa] = Many times (Adverb)

From Wave to Spirit the vocal tract region of the domains’ constants move from the back to the front of the mouth. This represents the chronology of the universe (as perceived by the language) as it progresses from a domain of more basic forms of energy (wave) to that of more complex forms (spirit).

Wave

([ɣ], [x], [g], [k])

Matter

([z], [s], [d], [t])

Cosmos

([ʒ], [ʃ], [d͡ʒ], [t͡s])

Spirit

([v], [f], [b], [p])

Nouns and verbs specifically use voiced consonants to symbolize a hard, focused presence. Adjectives and adverbs specifically use unvoiced consonants for a more conceptual, assistive presence. Similarly nouns and adjectives specifically use fricative consonants to represent a relatively constant presence. And verbs and adverbs use plosive consonants for an active, action-based symbolism –