Draft:FRELIN LANGUAGE

A representation of the Frelin language in North Eastern Kenya

Frelin Language Overview

Frelin Language also known as Frelish Language is a language predominantly spoken in North Eastern Kenya, mainly among refugees. It derives its name from the word Freedom and serves as a vital tool of unity among the displaced communities.

Speakers: The language is spoken natively by approximately 373 individuals, with over 250 second and third-language speakers.

Creator: Frelin was created in 2007 by Chris Larshon Aguahrz alongside other members, in collaboration with refugees.

History

The Frelin language was born out of necessity due to the increasing conflicts in the Horn of Africa. As refugees sought peace and assistance in North Eastern Kenya due to United Nations, they spoke a variety of languages. In 2007, during the aftermath of Kenya's Post-Election Violence, the need for a unifying language became apparent. Thus, Frelin emerged as a beacon of hope and unity for the displaced populations.

Background

Frelin was first created in 2007, with its initial revision in 2010, and the current version finalized in 2013. It is taught in refugee camps and has become a symbol of unity and cultural resilience.

CHRIS LARSHON AGUAHRZ

Chris Larshon Aguahrz was a Linguistics and IT student at USIU in Kenya. Driven by the desire to liberate people from the horrors of cultural malpractices and violence, he spearheaded the creation of Frelin to bring hope and unity to those affected by conflict.

Key Vocabularies

• Vesalt: A greeting in Frelin, used to say "hello."
• M'adora tis mir mas: A phrase meaning "I love you all."

Phonology

The phonology of Frelin consists of a diverse set of sounds that contribute to its unique character. The language features:

• Consonants: Frelin includes a variety of consonant sounds, such as stops, fricatives, and nasals. The following consonants are present:

 * Voiced stops: b, d, g
 * Voiceless stops: p, t, k
 * Fricatives: f, s, z
 * Nasals: m, n
 * Liquids: l, r

• Vowels: Frelin has a simple vowel system with five primary vowel sounds:

 * a, e, i, o, u

• Syllable Structure: The typical syllable structure in Frelin is (C)V(C), allowing for a variety of syllable formations, including open and closed syllables.

Grammar

Frelin grammar is characterized by its straightforward structure, focusing on subject-verb-object (SVO) word order. Key features include:

• Nouns: Nouns do not exhibit gender or case distinctions. Plurality is indicated by context or specific plural markers.

• Verbs: Verbs are conjugated based on tense, with three primary tenses: present, past, and future. Each tense is marked by specific verb endings:

 * Present tense: -es
 * Past tense: -as
 * Future tense: -ent

• Adjectives: Adjectives follow nouns and do not agree in gender or number. They provide descriptive information but remain invariable.

• Questions: Interrogative sentences are formed by inverting the subject and verb, or by using question words to initiate the inquiry.

These features contribute to the overall simplicity and flexibility of the Frelin language, making it accessible to learners and speakers alike.

Challenges

In 2015, the government temporarily banned the use of Frelin. However, due to widespread protests and international pressure, the ban was lifted in December 2015.