Argo-Somic Language Family

The Argo-Somic Language family is a collection of human languages all descended from Proto Argo-Somic. There are 2 subdivisions, with 3 further divisions.

This is the most widely spoken language family on Stevenis. The modern languages in this family are Gemenskor, Somian, Livitas, Argonian, and (secretly) Argost.

## History

### Proto Argo-Somic

This is a reconstructed language, devised using the comparative method. It is believed that it first developed in the area that is now modern day Williamshire.

### Proto Somic and Proto Argon

Proto Argo-Somic split sometime around the year 140, when speakers travelled due to the First Frozen Era (100-200). The speakers who relocated to modern day Rodby, soon developed Proto-Argon, distinct from its sister language. These Proto-Argon speakers would become the Char People.

Proto Somic was spoken all throughout modern day Insomnia Central by around 500.

### 'Old' Languages

Proto-Somic developed into Old Somic and Old Livitas around the year 800. Old Somic was distributed in the North of IC, spoken by the Marken people. Old Livitas was spoken by the Shiver-Pillia tribe to the south.

Around the year 900, Old Argon developed among the rapidly growing Char people in modern day Rodby.

### Somic Developments

Old Somic split after many speakers fled to the island of Wordsmith, due to the Conquests of Vlid. The islanders (Restmain) spoke North Somic and those on the mainland (Marken) spoke South Somic.

South Somic developed into Somian around the late 1600s. North Somic developed into Gemenskor around the early 1700s.

### Livi Developments

Old Livitas evolved into Livitas around the 1200s. Livitas has changed very little since this date, and scholars today believe it is the most archaic modern language. Livitas continued to be the dominant language in Pillia, Shiverlous, Boarium, and Paposterous up until the 1900s. This is mostly due to Beech Williamson's long running campaign for Insomnia Central to be united with a common language. Schools and universities were required to teach in Somian and the publishing of books in Livitas was limited. This caused a class divide between the rich, and therefore educated, who the policies affected most, and the poor, and therefore uneducated, who were not as affected. Over time, Livitas' association with the lower classes also contributed to its decline. Livitas is considered an endangered language.

### Argon Developments

Old Argon split during the Bajiri Era, more specifically around 1600 (disputed). The three newly developed languages were distributed among nations. The Argon area of Chartlands developed Argost. In Malkhoy, Argonian developed. In Eramore, a hybrid language with Farish emerged called Arman.

In the late 1700s, as the Eramors believed themselves to be the successors of Vlid, they self-eradicated their own language Arman, in favour of Argonian, as they believed it to be more closely related to Old Argon (the language of Vlid). Upon conquering Malkhoy and Chartlands in 1715, Eramore asserted the use of Argonian over other Argon languages. Eramore also spread Argonian to historically Kuziel speaking areas such as the modern day states of Lisa and Barsheron.

The Arman language became extinct around 1800. The Argost language has been endangered for many hundreds of years. It is believed to still be spoken in remote areas of Dersat, although accurate data is scarce. The Arielian government has long had a policy of eradicating minority languages within its influence (Ingunu is example in which they have been less successful).

## Modern Geographic Distribution

Somian is the official and most widely spoken language in Insomnia Central.