Sambahsa
| Sambahsa | |
|---|---|
| Sambahsa-Mundialect | |
 | |
| Created by | Olivier Simon |
| Date | 2007 |
| Purpose | constructed language
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | (sph code proposal was rejected in 2018[1]) |
| Glottolog | None |
| IETF | art-x-sambahsa |
Sambahsa, short for Sambahsa-Mundialect, is a constructed language designed by French linguist Olivier Simon in 2007. It is based on Proto-Indo-European (PIE), the ancient ancestor of many modern languages, but also incorporates vocabulary from non-PIE languages like Arabic, Chinese, and Swahili. The name "Sambahsa" combines the Malay words sama (same) and bahsa (language).
Purpose and features
[change | change source]Sambahsa is an auxiliary language intended for international communication. Unlike simpler constructed languages like Esperanto, Sambahsa retains a complex grammar and historical linguistic elements, aiming for realism and versatility. It has:
- Four grammatical cases: nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive.
- Two numbers: singular and plural.
- Four genders: masculine, feminine, neuter, and undetermined (a new feature for inclusivity).
- A unique verb system influenced by PIE.
Vocabulary
[change | change source]Sambahsa has an extensive vocabulary for an auxiliary language, with contributions from Indo-European and non-Indo-European languages. This makes it a worldlang, a type of constructed language blending features from many linguistic families.
Learning and use
[change | change source]Sambahsa offers detailed resources for learners, including guides and online materials. Its complex grammar appeals to linguists and enthusiasts, but the language is less popular compared to simpler alternatives.