Mandish

Mandish (Накаnо /hæknoʊ/) is a indigenous language that was spoken by the Neutralos People in Neutralston before British Occupation. It is a revived language, having been close to extinction as a living community language in the 19th Century due to a number of measures taken by British Neutralston to force English onto the Natives. However through various revival attempts and many Neutralos continuing to speak Mandish it has remained a spoken language within Neutralston. The language is unique in the sense that it is not of Germanic and Celtic descent, this is due to Neutralston's isolation from Europe and the British Isles during the dark ages. 
As of the 2008 Census, there were 800 people who considered Mandish as their first language and 40000 who considered it as their second language. Whilst this language isn't recognised as an official language of Neutralston, it is considered historic for the nation.
It is spoken by smaller numbers of people in Benningtonshire descended from Neutralos People. (Especially in Neasden-Upon-Have). 
The Benningtonshire County Provincial Government plans to increase the number of second language Mandish speakers to 100000 by 2030. Since 2015, the number of children learning Mandish in Neutralstonese Schools has increased. 
== History ==
Mandish is an indigenous language that evolved from the various tribal languages spoken by the Neutralos people. The first known instances of Mandish being used date back to the early 1600s, but its roots extend much further into the island's prehistory.
==== Pre-1600s: Tribal Languages ====
Before the development of Mandish, the island of Neutralston was home to numerous tribes, each with its own distinct language or dialect. These tribal languages were primarily oral, with rich traditions of storytelling, song, and ritual. The linguistic landscape of the island was incredibly diverse, with languages influenced by the geographic isolation and varied environments of different tribal regions.
The tribes of Neutralston engaged in trade, intermarriage, and occasional conflict, which facilitated the exchange of linguistic features and vocabulary. Over time, certain languages began to dominate due to the prominence of specific tribes or the utility of certain dialects for trade and communication.
==== 1600s: The Emergence of Mandish ====
The earliest written records of Mandish appear in the early 1600s, during a period of increased intertribal communication and consolidation. These records, inscribed on stone tablets and early manuscripts, reveal a language that had begun to standardize certain grammatical structures and vocabulary. The consolidation of tribal languages into Mandish was driven by several key factors:
# Trade and Communication: As trade routes developed and expanded across the island, there was a need for a common language to facilitate communication between different tribes.
# Formation of Neutralosan: The formation of Neutralosan necessitated a lingua franca for negotiations and governance throughout the polity.
# Cultural Exchange: Shared cultural practices, religious ceremonies, and intertribal marriages also contributed to the blending and standardization of languages.
==== 1700s-1800s: Flourishing of Mandish ====
During the 1700s, Mandish continued to develop and flourish as the dominant language of Neutralston. It became the primary medium for literature, law, and religious texts. The language's script evolved, incorporating elements from neighboring regions and reflecting the island's growing contact with the outside world.
However, the 19th century brought significant challenges to the preservation of Mandish. British colonization of Neutralston led to policies aimed at anglicizing the native population. English was enforced as the language of education, administration, and commerce, severely impacting the use of Mandish. Despite these pressures, many Neutralos continued to speak Mandish in their homes and communities, preserving it as a living language.
==== 19th and 20th Century: Decline and Near Extinction ====
The 19th century saw a dramatic decline in the number of native Mandish speakers. British colonial policies systematically suppressed the use of Mandish, promoting English as the superior and official language. Mandish was banned in schools, and children were punished for speaking it. These measures led to a significant reduction in the transmission of the language to younger generations.
By the late 1800s, Mandish was on the brink of extinction. It survived mainly in remote areas and among older members of the community. Efforts to document and preserve the language were sporadic and faced significant obstacles due to colonial resistance and LFT Oppression of the Language.
==== 21st Century: Modern Revival ====
In the 21st century, the revival of Mandish gained significant momentum. The 2008 Census recorded 800 people who considered Mandish their first language and 40,000 who considered it their second language. Although Mandish is not recognized as an official language of Neutralston, it is celebrated as a historic and cultural cornerstone of the nation.
The Benningtonshire County Provincial Government has been particularly proactive, aiming to increase the number of second-language Mandish speakers to 100,000 by 2030. Since 2015, the number of children learning Mandish in Neutralstonese schools has risen, fueled by increased investment in language education and cultural programs.
== Basic Vocabulary in Mandish ==
The vocabulary of Mandish reflects its unique linguistic heritage, distinct from the Germanic and Celtic influences common in surrounding regions.
# Hello
#* Mandish: Сайheлоvit
#* Pronunciation: /saɪˈheˈloʊˈvit/
# Farewell
#* Mandish: Баяртай
#* Pronunciation: /bɑˈjɑrˈtɑi/
# Please
#* Mandish: Прошаlou
#* Pronunciation: /proʃaˈlou/
# Thank you
#* Mandish: Дяkуу
#* Pronunciation: /dʲɑˈkuː/
# Yes
#* Mandish: Та
#* Pronunciation: /ta/
# No
#* Mandish: Нe
#* Pronunciation: /nɛ/
# Excuse me
#* Mandish: Бyдласк
#* Pronunciation: /budˈlɑsk/
# How are you?
#* Mandish: Сайн байна уу?
#* Pronunciation: /saɪn ˈbaɪnə uː/
# I'm fine
#* Mandish: Би сайн байна
#* Pronunciation: /bi saɪn ˈbaɪnə/
# What's your name?
#* Mandish: Таны нэр юу вэ?
#* Pronunciation: /tɑniˈnɛr juː vɛ/
# My name is...
#* Mandish: Миний нэр...
#* Pronunciation: /miˈniː nɛr.../
# Welcome
#* Mandish: Тавтай морил
#* Pronunciation: /tɑvˈtɑi ˈmɔrɪl/
# Friend
#* Mandish: Найз
#* Pronunciation: /naɪz/
# Family
#* Mandish: Гэр бүл
#* Pronunciation: /ɡɛr bul/
# Home
#* Mandish: Гэр
#* Pronunciation: /ɡɛr/
# Water
#* Mandish: Ус
#* Pronunciation: /us/
# Food
#* Mandish: Хоол
#* Pronunciation: /hoːl/
# Love
#* Mandish: Хайр
#* Pronunciation: /haɪr/
# Peace
#* Mandish: Энх
#* Pronunciation: /ɛnkh/
# Strength
#* Mandish: Хүч
#* Pronunciation: /khʊch/