View source for Xi'an language

[[File:Xiinthle a letters.PNG|thumb|right|The word ''Xi’an'' in Xi’an letters]]

The '''Xi’an language'''{{SClang|lang=xian|srx=uo’aXy’an|kyexiin=œ’ XàN’}} is the language spoken by the [[Xi’an]] across the [[Xi’an Empire]]. It is the first [[Alien Languages|Alien language]] of the [[Star Citizen]] Universe released to the public. It will be fully integrated in the game - though the implications on the gameplay side are uncertain for the moment. Developed by conlang artist [[Britton Watkins]] and the [[CIG]] writing team for Star Citizen and [[Squadron 42]], it is intended to be further expanded together with the community via special Xi'an language sites on the RSI website.

The Xi'an and their culture are initially based on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_dynasty Han dynasty China] (around 206 BCE – 220 CE), so their language is influenced by various Asian languages - both in writing and pronunciation.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=/spectrum/community/SC/forum/88013/thread/xi-an-language-discussion-1/563777|text = Britton Watkins on linguistic influences}}</ref> They live for hundreds of years and plan for decades rather than years, and often they come across rather reserved. This restrained and diplomatic demeanor also carries over into their language and speech. Getting the correct tone of politeness can be difficult for non-native speakers.

'''Important features'''

*'Verticality', meaning that writing is usually from top to bottom and right to left (but can theoretically be written in any direction)

*Tonal:

**Long and short vowel distinction

**Pitch is important - syllables may have a higher, neutral or lower tone - usually indicated by '''’''' and '''.'''

**Various dialects, but most important are the so-called ''Proper Xi’an'' (uo’a e thle’a) and ''Service Dialect'' (uo’a se Hyath)

*200 different letters or “glyphs”, written in blocks to form words

*Only 9 verbs, but depending on 'politeness' or 'flavour' they are written differently

As stated above, the distinction into various levels of politeness is very important in the Xi'an language and is difficult to see or hear for non-native speakers. Being overly polite can be as bad as it is to be excessively casual. The right balance is important and not always easy.

== Dialects ==

Because of the large size of the Xi’an Empire, there are numerous dialects and languages spoken across their empire.{{RSI|url=media/9f3kqrtzkslfmr/source/Xian-Language-Overview-V6.pdf|text=An Overview of the Xi’an Language for Diplomats}}

=== Proper Xi’an ===

{{Main|Proper Xi’an}}

Proper Xi’an or Proper language{{SClang|lang=xian|srx=uo’a e thle’a|srx-meaning=proper speech|kyexiin=oe'eðĕ'}} is the standard dialect of the Xi’an language.{{RSI|url=media/9f3kqrtzkslfmr/source/Xian-Language-Overview-V6.pdf|text=An Overview of the Xi’an Language for Diplomats}}

=== Service dialect ===

{{Main|Service dialect}}

Service dialect or Military dialect{{SClang|lang=xian|srx=uo’a se Hyath|srx-meaning=military speech|kyexiin=oe'se@hảÞ}} is a common dialect of the Xi'an language. It is common among those who are in or served in the [[Xi’an Defense Force]]s. It is a multi-millennia-old remnant of the military-centric unification of their empire by the [[House Ru’a|Ru’a]] Dynasty in the dawn of the [[First Imperial Age]].{{RSI|url=media/9f3kqrtzkslfmr/source/Xian-Language-Overview-V6.pdf|text=An Overview of the Xi’an Language for Diplomats}}

=== Provincial dialects ===

There are provincial dialects that varies across regions from regions.

== Writing ==

=== Alphabets ===

{{Main|Xi’an alphabet}}

[[File:Xi'an letters blocks.PNG|thumb|The word Xi'an written in kyexiin]]

The Xi’an alphabets{{SClang|lang=xian|kyexiin=kẽxÌN|srx=kyexiin|srx-meaning=script / alphabetic letter}} is based on around 200 glyphs that developed out of the Xi’an way to write in very specific blocks. Depending on whether the glyph is written in the whole block, half of the block or only one corner (usually upper right or lower right), three groups of glyphs can be distinguished:

*basic

*block

*corner

This is a very efficient way to get as much phonetic information in one block as possible, but can also lead to more difficult to read glyphs, especially for corner diphthongs. Additionally, there exist various pitch diacritics to mark pitches on specific syllables - from low or high to falling or rising pitch.