A Mote in Shadow

A.N. Alex

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A Mote in Shadow © 2024 by A.N. Alex is licensed under CC BY 4.0. 
To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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    • BEFORE YOU BEGIN

    Di Lingua is the primary language spoken by Grond Steh (people born on Mars-like gravity environments) and Stellah Steh (people born in the Solar System but not on Earth or Mars). It evolved as a natural creole combining elements from multiple Earth languages.

    Throughout the novel, you'll encounter Di Lingua phrases in italics, followed by numbered footnote superscripts. When you hover your cursor over these superscripts, a tooltip will appear with the English translation.

    For example, try hovering over the footnote superscript after this greeting: "Hao fa!"[1][Di Lingua]: Hello! ↑

    Common Di Lingua Phrases

    • "Gbam!"[2][Di Lingua]: Cheers! ↑ - Used when drinking or to express agreement
    • "Anchuan shiyong"[3][Di Lingua]: Safe handling ↑ - A traditional benediction
    • "Kacha bul!"[4][Di Lingua]: Ultimate fire! ↑ - An expression of approval or admiration
    • "Ye"[5][Di Lingua]: Yes ↑ - Simple affirmation
    • "Binu"[6][Di Lingua]: Sorry ↑ - An expression of apology

    These tooltips are entirely CSS-based and will appear automatically when you hover over any footnote superscript. No clicking required! This design provides translations without interrupting your reading flow.

    As you progress through the novel, you'll naturally begin to recognize common Di Lingua expressions, enhancing your immersion in the world of A Mote in Shadow.









    “Anchuan Shiyong” [Safe Handling]

    A Traditional Martian Benediction


    Key coremye te nosu, key portu te prafomu.

    Wi gah dachi gadhah.

    [From stern to bow, from port to starboard.]

    [We fly.]

    Fizz yet lul wi hahdah;

    Posadkea una gah gahdah; awa wonda bin gbam.

    [Taking off, we soar;]

    [Landing, we arrive; our journey complete.]

    Na ehkeypaza gah togetha tey dey;

    Tey-tey anchuan shiyong lul am bin dey.

    [The crew, together, in past and future meet;]

    [Eternally vigilant, we will be safe.]

    Na all gah til andyanleyu kes fo bin tak.

    [Till abyssal currents have their claim.]









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    P43#yIS1

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