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Spans
Package wording (cite / aside / mention / opaque) with a role letter, a span kind, how far the open runs, and an ending. Writing uses brackets; speech uses open / close words.
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Beginner
English marks special wording with quotes, parentheses, and italics. Agalan uses span fences: a role letter plus a bracket pair in writing (or open / close words in speech). The bracket shape tells you the type: cite, mention, aside, or opaque.
Prefer brackets in ordinary text when a bracket form exists. Spoken open / close words are Intermediate (spoken word shape).
Writing fences
Write the role letter immediately before any @ / ~ marks and the opening bracket (d[…], z{…}, h(…), d<…>). Marks sit after the role letter (d@[…], d~[…]).
| Brackets | Span type | Mnemonic |
|---|---|---|
[ … ] | cite — attributed speech / cited wording (including title strings and proverbs cited as wording) | square quotes: you are quoting someone |
{ … } | mention — the word or form itself (the word X); with -n, the saying / proverb / title X as a named unit | curly braces: you are holding the form as an object |
( … ) | aside — parenthetical digression on /h/; still asserted | round parentheses: a side comment |
< … > | opaque — foreign, code, raw orthography | angle brackets: a raw blob |
`zazawan v[uzunu] d[jael].`
gloss: `z-grace@` · `v-sing` · `d-yes`
*Azawan “sings” a “yes.”*| Mark | Job |
|---|---|
| (none) | exact (-l) |
~ | paraphrase (-m) — d~[…] |
@ | proper (-n) — d@[…] |
To point back at a prior span (-r), put = inside the same brackets: d[=], d{=}, h(=), d<=>.
`jol zululon d[=] vezehel.`
gloss: `j-question` · `z-courage@` · `d-←cite` · `v-tell`
*Ululon said that?!* (resume a prior cite)When spans are required
Use a span when you need one of these jobs:
| Reading | Use |
|---|---|
| Someone’s words, a title string, or a proverb as wording | cite […] |
| The title X / the proverb X as a named unit | mention {…} with @ / -n |
| Ordinary the word X / the form itself | mention {…} |
| Mid-sentence parenthetical digression | aside (h(…)); interior is ordinary Agalan, often a fragment |
| Foreign, code, or other surface that is not ordinary Agalan words | opaque |
| Referring back to a prior span | resume -r / …[=] |
Part of speech (slot)
The open’s role letter is the outer-clause slot of the entire span. Ask: in the outer sentence, what slot does this chunk fill? Interior words keep their own role letters.
| PoS | When | Writing sketch |
|---|---|---|
/d/ | Default cite object — said / wrote “…” | d[jael], d[=] |
/z/ | The wording or title is the subject | z@[Hamlet], z[=] |
/b/ | Host needs a /b/ argument — about “…”, called “…” | b{…}, b[=] |
/v/ | Span is the verb (phrase): echo / report the act as wording | v[oops], v[=] |
/ɡ/ | Property is the spanned string — so-called “ready” | g@[Draft] |
/h/ | Asides (digressions float like other adverbs); also manner cite | h(…), h~(…), h(=) |
/j/ | Vocative / expressive edge | j@[…] |
/x/ | Discourse-only citation (epigraph, freestanding span) | x[…] |
`jul zululon v[uzunu] dazawan.`
gloss: `j-prohibition` · `z-courage@` · `v-sing` · `d-grace@`
*Ululon, don’t “sing” Azawan.*Asides
An aside is a parenthetical comment packaged as an adverb. Write h( … ). The outer slot is /h/, so the whole fence sits anywhere an adverb may sit.
The interior is ordinary Agalan. It may be a fragment or a same-speech-act clause body:
| Interior | Example | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Fragment (one word or a short stretch) | zazawan vawalal h(huzumum). | Azawan walks (happily). |
| Same-speech-act clause body | zazawan vawalal h(zululon velebel). | Azawan walks (Ululon sleeps). |
Interior words keep their role letters. The fence is the adverb. A one-word manner comment with nothing to package is a plain adverb: zazawan vawalal huzumum.
The aside keeps the outer speech act (omissible statement jal stays omitted). Put a new question or command in its own turn.
A because / if dependent is still adoro. A second name for the same person uses identity or classification.
`zazawan vawalal h(huzumum).`
gloss: `z-grace@` · `v-walk` · `h-happy`
*Azawan walks (happily).*Mentions, opaque, and loan words
| Need | Use |
|---|---|
| Raw foreign / code / surface that is not Agalan words | opaque — d<sushi> (no ending after >); keep the source’s casing inside <> when that writing system uses case (d<NaCl>, d<iPhone>): capitalization |
| Compact foreign content word | PoS<…>ENDING — e.g. d<sushi>l, z<Sam>n (ordinary word); same casing rule inside <> |
| The word or form itself | mention — d{…} |
| Title string / proverb as wording | cite — d[…] / d@[…] |
| The title X / the proverb X as a named unit | mention -n — d@{…} |
| Nativized loan | ordinary role letter + root + ending |
| That (prior span) again | span resume — daxur / hexur / duxur / … |
| Name / word citation outside a clause | prefix-less root + ending: citation forms (ugobon., <Sam>n) |
d<sushi> is a span open plus an interior blob. d<sushi>l is one content word whose root is foreign. Opaque closers take no -l / -m / -n / -r after >. Spans need a role letter because they fill a clause slot; freestanding citation drops the role letter instead.
Translation practice
Short drills on this Beginner band. Try each item before opening Show answer. Prefer a one-token cite, mention, or opaque blob; nativize when the surface wording is not the point. House names for people unless the item is a loan name.
Roots used here: azawa grace (name Azawan) · ululo courage (name Ululon) · uhubu beauty (name Uhubun) · ezehe tell · uwuru write · uzunu sing · eje see · awala walk · elebe sleep · uzumu happy (-m) · odogo dog · agada cat · abogo book · elulu blue
English → Agalan
1. Azawan said “hi.”
Show answer
zazawan d[hi] vezehel.
2. Azawan said that. (resume the prior cite)
Show answer
zazawan d[=] vezehel.
3. Ululon wrote something like “hi.”
Show answer
zululon d~[hi] vuwurul.
4. Uhubun sang “Hamlet.” (title as wording)
Show answer
zuhubun d@[Hamlet] vuzunul.
5. Azawan saw sushi. (ordinary loan, not an opaque blob)
Show answer
zazawan d<sushi>l vejel.
6. The word “dog” is blue. (the form itself is the subject)
Show answer
z{odogo} gelulul.
7. Don’t “oops,” Ululon.
Show answer
jul zululon v[oops].
8. Azawan walks (happily). (parenthetical aside)
Show answer
zazawan vawalal h(huzumum).
9. Azawan walks (Ululon sleeps). (clause-body aside)
Show answer
zazawan vawalal h(zululon velebel).
Agalan → English
1. zululon d[=] vezehel.
Show answer
Ululon said that.
2. zazawan d<sushi> vejel.
Show answer
Azawan saw sushi. (opaque surface: not ordinary Agalan words, and not a loan word)
3. zuhubun d{abogo} vezehel.
Show answer
Uhubun said the word “book.”
4. zululon d@{Hamlet} vuwurul.
Show answer
Ululon wrote the title Hamlet (as a named unit).
5. jol zazawan d[=] vezehel.
Show answer
Azawan said that?!
6. z{agada} godogol.
Show answer
The word “cat” is a dog.
7. z<Sam>n d[hi] vezehel.
Show answer
Sam said “hi.”
8. <Sam>n
Show answer
Sam (name citation outside a clause)
9. zazawan vawalal h(zululon velebel).
Show answer
Azawan walks (Ululon sleeps).
Intermediate
Span fences are pronounceable: every bracket has a spoken word shape.
Spoken word shape
text
{PoS}{TYPE}x{EDGE}{ENDING}| Piece | Values | Job |
|---|---|---|
| PoS | z d b v g w h j x | slot the whole span fills |
| TYPE | a cite · e aside · o mention · u opaque | span kind |
x | mid-word joiner | marks a span-fence form |
| EDGE | a · e · o · u | extent: how far an open runs |
| ENDING | -l exact · -m paraphrase · -n proper · -r resume | fidelity, titled designation, or span resume |
Example: daxal = d + a + x + a + l → open exact multi-token cite as direct object (needs close).
TYPE (vowels)
TYPE uses a / e / o / u.
| TYPE | Role | Writing | Mnemonic |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | cite — cited wording; clausal interiors: outer speaker does not assert | [ … ] | a add → cite |
| e | aside — /h/ digression; outer speaker does assert; interior may be a fragment or a same-speech-act clause body | h( … ) | e order → aside |
| o | mention — the word or form as object; with -n, named unit | { … } | o one → mention |
| u | opaque — foreign / code / raw blob; interior is not native Agalan | < … > | u undo → opaque |
A native office handle refers with ordinary -n (zabogon): named handles. Mention {abogo} is that form; opaque / loan is a foreign acronym’s surface (z<FBI>n).
EDGE (extent)
The vowel after x is EDGE: how far the open runs.
| EDGE | Job | Needs close? | Typical writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | Multi-token open — push a stack frame until explicit close (default) | yes | d[…] … ] |
| e | Clause-scoped — auto-pop before the next speech-act /j/ or clause-level /x/ join (complete) | no (auto) | d[… run to clause end |
| o | Atomic — exactly one following token | no | d[uzunu], d<sushi> |
| u | Empty / redacted — no interior; also resume -r | no | d[], d[=] |
Anaphor -r always uses EDGE u in the spoken template (daxur).
EDGE a / e / o take -l / -m / -n. EDGE u takes exact -l (daxul) or resume -r (daxur).
Endings on opens and span pronouns
| Ending | Meaning | Preferred writing |
|---|---|---|
| -l | exact — verbatim / precise surface | bare open (no @ / ~) |
| -m | paraphrase — gist / non-verbatim rendering | ~ after the role letter (d~[…]) |
| -n | proper — titled / conventional designation of the whole span | @ after the role letter (d@[…]) |
| -r | resume — the most recent span of this TYPE; PoS = role now | d[=], h(=), z{=}, … |
Hedged proper (@~) is written d@[…] only (spoken as the proper open with uncertain tonality). @ / ~ do not combine with resume -r.
-r resumes a prior span (pronouns.md). daxur = that (cite) as object, matching the most recent cite (TYPE a). hexur / h(=) = that (aside). The resume’s role letter need not match the antecedent open’s (zaxur = that cite as subject). No interior; no close (EDGE u).
Writing ↔ speech map (core)
| Writing | Speech (object slot) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
d[…] | daxal … xuxul | exact multi-token cite (EDGE a); complete close |
d~[…] | daxam … xuxul | paraphrased multi-token cite |
d@[…] | daxan … xuxul | proper multi-token cite; also spelling of hedged proper |
d{…} / d~{…} / d@{…} | doxal / doxam / doxan … xuxul | mention |
h(…) / h~(…) / h@(…) | hexal / hexam / hexan … xuxul | aside (open PoS is /h/) |
h(huzumum) | hexol huzumum | atomic aside |
h(=) | hexur | aside resume |
d<…> / d~<…> / d@<…> | duxal / duxam / duxan … xuxul | opaque |
d[hi] | daxol hi | atomic (EDGE o) |
d@[Hamlet] | daxon Hamlet | atomic proper cite |
d[… … (to clause end) | daxel … | clause-scoped (EDGE e) |
d[] | daxul | empty / redacted (EDGE u) |
d[=] | daxur | resume (EDGE u) |
Close does not repeat PoS, TYPE, EDGE, or open fidelity. Explicit close for EDGE a: xuxul (complete). Editorial / close-all live in Advanced.
Nesting
Typed span fences nest freely. Each multi-token open pushes; xuxul pops the innermost (complete). Atomic and resume do not nest-push. Scope islands (^ … ^) are a single layer: use a typed span when you need nested packaging.
Examples: d[ h(…) ], d[ z{…} ], d~[ d<…> ]. @ / ~ apply only to the immediately following open.
Scope islands
Scope islands mark a multi-word chunk so an inside binder can target that chunk. Writing ^ … ^. In speech you only hear a pause and one tight phrase: there is no spoken open or close word. The edges are only grouping marks, like parentheses; the inside binder is the function.
`zazawan ^ h<maybe>l zodogol garedel ^ vejel.`
gloss: `z-grace@` · `^` · `h-maybe` · `z-dog` · `g-red` · `^` · `v-see`
*Azawan saw maybe the red dog* (*maybe* targets that chunk).Rules:
- No role letter on the edges (typed fences like
d[…]already have one). - One island per clause. Islands do not nest.
- Empty
^^has no reading. - Binder required: at least one scope-taking
/h/and/or a join particle inside. - Prefer spaces inside:
^ h<maybe>l zodogol garedel ^.
| Binder | Job inside the island |
|---|---|
Scope-taking /h/ | frames that chunk (prefer first in the island) |
| Prefixed join | lookback-absorbs only matching-role material inside — scope islands |
/h/ and a join may share one island (^ h<maybe>l zazawan zululon zam ^). /w/ still only frames the previous /ɡ/.
| Placement | Reading |
|---|---|
/h/ inside | frames that chunk |
/h/ outside | ordinary floating adverb: frames the verb / clause |
| Join inside | joins only interior conjuncts |
| Join outside with island nearby | ordinary lookback (edges do not filter an outside join) |
`zazawan ^ zululon zal ^ zam vejel.`
gloss: `z-grace@` · `^` · `z-courage@` · `z-and` · `^` · `z-and.open` · `v-see`
*Azawan and (just Ululon) saw …*Speech: brief reset into the island, one tight phrase, boundary on the last island stress. In singing, use an ordinary phrase bow.
| Need | Use |
|---|---|
| Nested packaging / wording fidelity / opaque | typed span fences |
| Whole-clause soft assert | jam — speech act |
| Single-adjective frame | /w/ on that /ɡ/ |
| Join over only part of a same-slot stretch | put that join inside ^ … ^ |
Translation practice
Short drills on this Intermediate band. Try each item before opening Show answer. Test spoken opens (TYPE / EDGE / ending), an explicit xuxul close, nesting, or a ^ … ^ island: not only Beginner brackets.
Roots used here: azawa grace (name Azawan) · ululo courage (name Ululon) · uhubu beauty (name Uhubun) · ezehe tell · eje see · urunu run · arede red · odogo dog · agada cat · abogo book (name Abogon) · elulu blue · uzumu happy (-m)
English → Agalan
1. Azawan said “hi.” (spoken atomic cite)
Show answer
zazawan daxol hi vezehel.
2. Ululon said “hi Azawan.” (spoken multi-token cite)
Show answer
zululon daxal hi zazawan xuxul vezehel.
3. Uhubun said that. (spoken cite resume)
Show answer
zuhubun daxur vezehel.
4. Azawan said [redacted].
Show answer
zazawan daxul vezehel.
5. Azawan saw sushi. (spoken atomic opaque)
Show answer
zazawan duxol sushi vejel.
6. Azawan said “hi” (happily). (cite nesting an aside)
Show answer
zazawan d[ h(huzumum) hi ] vezehel.
7. Azawan walks (happily). (spoken atomic aside)
Show answer
zazawan vawalal hexol huzumum.
8. Azawan saw maybe the red dog. (maybe targets that chunk)
Show answer
zazawan ^ h<maybe>l zodogol garedel ^ vejel.
9. Uhubun and (just a cat) ran.
Show answer
zuhubun ^ zagadal zal ^ zam vurunul.
10. Azawan said the word “Abogon.”
Show answer
zazawan d{abogo} vezehel.
Agalan → English
1. zazawan daxel hi.
Show answer
Azawan said “hi.” (clause-scoped cite: no explicit close)
2. zululon daxam hi zazawan xuxul vezehel.
Show answer
Ululon said something like “hi Azawan.”
3. zaxur gelulul.
Show answer
That (cite) is blue. (resume as subject)
4. zuhubun daxon Hamlet vuzunul.
Show answer
Uhubun sang “Hamlet.” (spoken atomic proper cite)
5. zululon doxom abogo vezehel.
Show answer
Ululon said the word “book” (as a gist / paraphrase).
6. zazawan d[ z{abogo} ] vezehel.
Show answer
Azawan said the word “book” (cite wrapping a mention).
7. zululon ^ h<maybe>l zagadal garedel ^ vejel.
Show answer
Ululon saw maybe the red cat.
8. zazawan ^ zodogol zal ^ zam vejel.
Show answer
Azawan and (just a dog) saw (it).
9. zazawan vawalal hexol huzumum.
Show answer
Azawan walks (happily).
10. zazawan d{abogo} vezehel.
Show answer
Azawan said the word “Abogon.”
Advanced
Close forms (complete / editorial / close-all)
| Spoken | Job | Writing | Mnemonic |
|---|---|---|---|
xuxul | pop one — complete | matching closer ] / } / ) / > | exact -l: the span closes whole |
xuxur | pop one — editorial (wording kept as written under an editorial mark: cut off, trail off, or defect noted) | #] / #} / #) / #> | resume -r: the wording stops short or carries a mark; resume may pick up |
xuxum | pop all open spans | optional close-all mark | | soft -m: sweep everything lightly |
xuxur + xuxum | editorial innermost, then pop all | #| |
text
xuxul = x + u + x + u + l
xuxur = x + u + x + u + r
xuxum = x + u + x + u + mEditorial spans are committed and enter resume history (d[=] / daxur may resume them). Combined #\| is writing-only shorthand for two spoken closes; bare xuxur pops one (editorial). Write editorial first, then close-all: #\|.
Clause joins that negate use a different shape (xul / xum). Empty or resumed cite opens use /d/ (daxul empty/redacted; daxur that cite). Closes are xuxul / xuxur.
| Writing | Speech | Notes |
|---|---|---|
d[…#] | daxal … xuxur | editorial close |
d[…#|] | daxal … xuxur xuxum | editorial + close-all |
Prefer EDGE a + xuxur for cut-off cites. EDGE e auto-pop is complete.
Spoken inventory
Opens and related (PoS shown as …; EDGE a unless noted)
| TYPE | exact multi -l | paraphrase -m | proper -n | resume -r (EDGE u) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cite a | …axal | …axam | …axan | …axur |
| aside e | hexal | hexam | hexan | hexur |
| mention o | …oxal | …oxam | …oxan | …oxur |
| opaque u | …uxal | …uxam | …uxan | …uxur |
Atomic (EDGE o): …axol / …axom / …axon (cite examples); aside atomic hexol. Clause-scoped (EDGE e): …axel / …axem / …axen. Empty exact (EDGE u): …axul / hexul / …oxul / …uxul. Aside opens use /h/; resume may recast the aside into another slot (dexur).
Closes
| Form | Job |
|---|---|
xuxul | pop one — complete |
xuxur | pop one — editorial |
xuxum | pop all |
xuxur xuxum | editorial + pop all (writing #|) |
Literal content (fence words / fence marks)
When a span-marker word or a fence glyph ([ / ] / { / } / ( / ) / < / > / = / | / # / ^) must appear as content (not ordinary nesting), wrap that token in atomic opaque. Writing and speech use the same vehicle.
The outer span’s wording is the opaque interior (the wrapper is packaging, not extra cited words).
text
d[ he typed d<]> then left ]
d[ d<xuxul> ]
d[ pipe d<|> here ]
d[ item d<#> ]Speech for a fence word:
text
daxal duxol xuxul xuxuld[ item d<#> ] is a complete cite whose last content character is # (a bare #] would be editorial close). A hyphen before a closer is ordinary content.
Writing opaque d<…> closes on the first >. If the blob contains >, write the spoken opaque (EDGE a + xuxul):
text
duxal code > 1 xuxulWhile scanning a span interior, # immediately before a closer or close-all is the editorial mark; | is close-all. Number words still use # for ordinals (numbers.md). That # is a span closer only when it sits immediately before ] / } / ) / > / |.
Translation practice
Short drills on this Advanced band. Try each item before opening Show answer. Test how the span closes (complete / editorial / close-all), or literal fence material as opaque content.
Roots used here: azawa grace (name Azawan) · ululo courage (name Ululon) · uhubu beauty (name Uhubun) · ezehe tell · uzumu happy (-m)
English → Agalan
1. Azawan said “hi…” (the cite trails off)
Show answer
zazawan daxal hi xuxur vezehel.
2. Ululon said “hi” (keep the wording as written, defects and all — editorial close)
Show answer
zululon daxal hi xuxur vezehel.
3. Uhubun said “hi” (happily), then pop every open span at once.
Show answer
zuhubun daxal hi hexol huzumum xuxum vezehel.
4. Azawan said “he typed ] then left.”
Show answer
zazawan d[ he typed d<]> then left ] vezehel.
Agalan → English
1. zazawan d[hi#] vezehel.
Show answer
Azawan said “hi…” (editorial cite — wording trails off)
2. zuhubun daxal hi xuxul vezehel.
Show answer
Uhubun said “hi.” (complete close of one span)
3. zazawan daxal hi xuxur xuxum vezehel.
Show answer
Azawan said “hi…” (editorial innermost, then pop all)
4. zululon daxal duxol xuxul xuxul vezehel.
Show answer
Ululon said the word “xuxul” (as opaque content inside a cite).
5. zululon duxal code > 1 xuxul vezehel.
Show answer
Ululon said “code > 1.” (opaque blob; spoken close, because writing <> would take the first > as closer)
See also
- Scope islands: coordination.md
- Identity vs parenthetical comment: predication.md
- Phrasal proper names: reference-suffix.md
- Native office handles: reference-suffix.md
- Prefix-less citation outside a clause: core.md § Outside a sentence