Phonology and the Glottal Rule

Kethic has one central phonological law:

No word may begin with a vowel sound.

Ancient roots that once began with vowels are modified so they can fit this rule.

The Glottal Stop

The glottal stop ' acts as a phantom consonant at the beginning of vowel-initial words.

• ' = /ʔ/

• It anchors words that would otherwise begin with a vowel.

• It is treated as a real consonant in spelling and pronunciation.

Examples:

• 'en'eth = is / am / are

• 'osh = ash

• 'veth = spilled blood

The Formalizing Prefix

The prefix 'en- may be used when adapting older roots, loanwords, or formalized terms into Kethic.

It provides a consonant anchor and gives the word a more elevated or formal shape.

Example:

• 'en'eth = formal present form of “to be”

Consonant Preference

If a word naturally begins with a consonant, it remains unchanged.

Examples:

• kath = stone

• man' = person

• veth = blood / lineage

Sound Texture

Kethic favors obstruent sounds, especially consonants made with strong stoppage or friction of breath.

Important consonants include:

• k

• kh

• th

• r

• s

• n

• m

• v

The Kethic r is typically rolled or trilled. The heavier rr represents a stronger or longer trill.

Vowel Length

Vowel length is meaningful in Kethic. A long vowel can change a word’s grammatical form or meaning.

Examples:

• kath = stone

• kooth = stones, informal plural

Long vowels are written with doubled letters:

• aa

• ee

• ii

• oo

• uu

IPA Chart

Consonants

Vowels