| Type | Language |
| Lexicon | Predominantly native words, reflecting a rich and distinct cultural heritage |
| Speakers | Approximately 128 million people in this alternate universe |
| Writing system | Distinct system derived from Proto-Altaic |
| Phonetic properties | No tonality, distinct phonetic properties |
| Grammatical properties | Verbs at the beginning of sentences, emphasis on declension and case marking |
The Japanese language, or Nihongo (日本語), is a unique linguistic phenomenon that stands apart from the Japanese language we're familiar with in our reality. In this alternate timeline, Japanese developed from the Proto-Altaic root language instead of Old Japanese, contributing to its distinct features.
Japanese originated in southern Japan and progressed through several historical stages that can be grouped into four main periods:
Old Japanese (Old Ryukyuan): Utilized mainly between the 8th and 12th centuries, this stage was influenced heavily by Chinese and Korean due to extensive cultural exchange with those regions.
Early Middle Japanese: Spoken from the 12th century to the 16th century, this period is marked by the introduction of simplified writing systems and the growing influence of Buddhist literature.
Late Middle Japanese: The beginnings of modern syntactical rules emerged during the 16th to 19th centuries, resulting from increased contact with European cultures and trading partners.
Modern Japanese: Spoken presently, this period further standardized the language, incorporating elements from other Asian and European languages.
In this alternate universe, Japanese employs a unique and diverse writing system. It is a mix of alphabetic characters, logograms, and mnemonic symbols, distinct from its real-world counterpart. The writing system, referred to as Anrouki, evolved from Chinese and Korean writing systems, resulting in a rich tapestry of characters and meanings.
The phonetic properties of this alternate universe's Japanese language differ from the language we know. Mora softly distinguishes syllables in modern Japanese. Vowel length (long and short vowels) is not marked in the contemporary spoken language. Unlike the real-world language, vowel timing and duration do not affect the meaning of words in this alternate universe. The absence of tonality in spoken Japanese results in a different cadence and rhythm compared to the Japanese language in our reality.
Modern Japanese displays a unique grammatical structure, where verbs are placed at the beginning of sentences, thereby emphasizing action and intent. The language employs a more extensive system of declensions and utilizes explicit case marking, leading to a clearer definition of subjects and objects. The use of particles for various functions further clarifies sentence elements and relationships.
This alternate Japanese language embraces its distinct identity by favoring native words and inventing new terminologies. While it is influenced by other languages, such as Chinese, Korean, and Mongolian, as well as Vietnamese, to some extent, it has successfully maintained its unique design. Loanwords from European languages are replaced mainly by native Japanese terms or borrowed words from other Asian languages.
Overall, this alternate timeline's Japanese language emerges as a highly complex and rich linguistic system with deep cultural roots. Its unique characteristics and evolutionary path juxtapose the well-known Japanese language of our world, offering scholars and students an exciting counterpoint to explore.
