Pronouns: view article

As you can see, the pronouns have the same endings as the verbs. This is because these pronouns can function as verbs in some circumstances. Because verbs show person, pronouns are not frequently used in Nolwynn since they are redundant, so they are usually dropped.

Nolwynn always defaults to feminine language. Zšii means "she" and is not a gender-neutral pronoun.

[edit] [top]Other Pronouns

Other pronouns exist, but they are not commonly used:

iizšii	he
iizši	they [masculine]
zšoo	it [sex unknown]
zšo	they [sex unknown]
zšee	it [neither he nor she nor it]
zše	they [neither he nor she nor it]

zšee refers to a nonsentient item. This is perhaps the most commonly used pronoun in this set. Even then, it is more common to use zšii "she."

zšoo refers to androgynous people; unlike in English, this word would not be used when referring to a general “person,” only for people who are known or visible, but whose sex is obscured.

iizšii is rarely used. Even when speaking about a man, it is much more common to use zšii "she" unless clarification is necessary. An example where iizšii is more common is when speaking about a man and a woman, and an obviate pronoun is needed.

The plural forms are alternatives to zši, though, again, they are rarely used since they would refer to a group of exclusively men, unknowns or androgynes, or objects. This set of pronouns is more common among youth. The use of iizšii is especially controversial since, in the traditional understanding, men are considered a type of woman, thus rendering iizšii unnecessarily - some might say rudely - specific.

The only real gender-neutral pronoun in Nolwynn is zši, since it is used to refer to a group of people of any sex.

[edit] [top]Taboos

Pronouns are involved in a lot of linguistic taboos. The Nolwynn people believe that language is powerful - in fact, it is a type of magic. Therefore, it must be used cautiously. It is believed that pronouns drain some of the magical energy whatever they refer to. In the case of those who are not present, this can be dangerous, while in the case of those who are magically powerful [such as spirits and shamans] it is rude and irritating.

So, pronoun usage is restricted under these situations:

anytime the Avoidance Language would be used. See this article for more.
when referring to the shaman [or, among some clans, any magic user]
they are never used for the recently deceased
they are never used to refer to weather [rain, snow, hail, etcetera]
among some clans, the goddess may not be referred to with pronouns, or she may be referred to with a special one that applies only to her

To clarify, pronouns are not used under these circumstances, but that doesn't mean that a speaker would use the Avoidance Language in all of these situations.

Luckily it is easy to avoid pronouns in Nolwynn. The typical solution is to use a circumlocution with a descriptor and a demonstrative like in this example:

Lozúna azu geeyweswonaza
woman.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument that speak.1First person (person)
speaker, signer, etc; I<ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent>COMComitative (case)
'together with'
I speak with that woman
"I speak with her"

Pronouns are an open class in Nolwynn, so new words can easily fill the gap. Here is an example:

Atsuna ara eeywetswua.
mirror.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument with dance.1First person (person)
speaker, signer, etc; I<ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent>
"She dances with me"

Here, atsuna "mirror" functions as a pronoun. These kinds of pronouns are often used in the Avoidance Language, though they can be used in any register. These are often called avoidance pronouns and they are always nouns.

[edit] [top]Modern attitudes

Young modern Nolwynn, influenced by the ideals of other cultures, have started loosening the taboos around pronouns. Some view the taboos as superstition, others just want to rebel, and still others think the Nolwynn people should strive to assimilate into land culture, so they view such strict linguistic rules as unnecessary or even damaging.

Because pronouns are an open class in Nolwynn, transgender and nonbinary Nolwynn have an easy time with others accepting and using their preferred pronouns. Trouble arises when youth refuse to use the Avoidance Language; it is not uncommon for such offenses to result in banishment, even in the Modern Era.

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