Istkalen, the Federation of
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Basic Facts
Full name: The Federation of Istkalen
Shortened name: Istkalen
Motto: Two mottos exist: The first, the "socialist" motto: "Kalisznechisz vi ersznjeson, lel helejt!" Second, the "revolutionary" motto: "Citizens, our nation calls us to the fight! Let us swear to her victory or perish!"
Demonym: Istkalener
Form of Government
Type of Government: Federal unicameral presidential republic
Head of State: Staatsoberhaupt Beate Meinl-Reisinger
Head of Government: Staatsoberhaupt Beate Meinl-Reisinger
Legislature: The Congress of Producers
Capital city: Līresz
Culture
National Anthem: Our Istkalen
Official languages: Helts, Estonian, German
Economy
GDP in Euros: 1,125,272,160,000.00
Exports as a percent of GDP: 40.1%
Imports as a percent of GDP: 39.8%
List of major exports: Lumber, uranium, tungsten, magnesium, rare-earth metals, energy, pharmaceuticals, agricultural and industrial machinery, household appliances, furniture, industrial materials, textiles, coal, biofuels, craftworks.
List of major imports: Agricultural products, metals, other raw chemicals and materials, lithium, oil, natural gas, luxury goods, specialized electric equipment, vehicles
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Living in Istkalen
(WIP - some is copy-pasted from the UoS factbook)Istkalen, once considered a nation in flux, is now a relatively safe and prosperous nation. However, it possesses a culture almost entirely different from those of the countries around it, to the point that it is near-impossible for immigrants to ever fully integrate.
1. Behavior in Public
The average Istkalener is withdrawn. To smile in public for no apparent reason, as well as towards strangers, is considered a sign of insanity; greeting others, especially verbally, is considered strange, although it does not create worry as sudden smiling often does. Istkaleners generally speak only with those they know; relationships are centered around and generally created around work.
The country has strict laws against the holding of weapons in public, although it does in fact require that all citizens own firearms, for, per the constitution, all Istkaleners have the duty of defending their country in the case of invasion or war.
Nightlife is non-existent.
2. Personal Life and Work
Work and personal life are essentially inseparable in Istkalen.
The central unit of personal life in Istkalen is not the individual but rather the married couple. Marriage and love, as with essentially everything else, are centered around work; one marries one who one works well with, for one will in fact be working with said person for the rest of one's life. The married couple is essentially treated as an individual in Istkalen; for said couples live together, work together, file taxes together, and even, if they choose to, run for political office together.
An odd quirk of Istkalener marriage is that the vast majority of it is in fact same-sex in nature. Whether this reflects the preference of the population is unknown; marriage does not quite carry sexual connotations, especially as the state organizes and is responsible for all conception and child-rearing. Labor, which is what essentially all institutions in the country, including marriage, are based upon, does; however, some argue that it is the opposite - that in the culture of Istkalen, labor takes the place of what that form of activity does in the West, with that form of activity considered a subset of it.
The remainder of personal life remains centered around labor - considered a deeply personal, private and almost lewd, self-expression of oneself that is in its entirety a work of art that allows for the revelation of some higher truth. Marriage is considered an essential part of this expression; it is thought that it further enables it towards some mystical and fuller potential.
Labor plays such a powerful role in Istkalener life that some even live in their workplaces - live/work arrangements, for example, are highly popular.
Friendship outside of marriage exists; however, it does not hold the same importance as marriage and is considered almost trivial.
The tools of one's work are generally owned and made by oneself, and are treated in fact as a part of oneself, as are the "secrets" of one's professions, which are viewed as an integral and almost sacred part of one's knowledge by Istkaleners. Even that which is held collectively, from farmland to industrial machinery, is treated in a similar way.
Among certain circles, especially those which are younger, a drug culture derived from the now almost-extinct indigenous culture of Istkalen exists as to augment this.
Ownership does not exist in Istkalen. If one owns something that is related to one's trade, it is considered an integral part of oneself, something that is entirely inseparable from one; in any other case, it is simply something that one uses, for one day one will die and what one has will be given to someone else to use, or be "returned."
3. Politics
Politics in Istkalen are technocratic and, of course, centered around labor. No national legislature exists per se. Every four months, all workplaces send delegates to sectoral congresses, which:
- regulate their given sector
- set professional norms and ethics
- coordinate economic activities within a sector
Because of the nature of social and cultural life in Istkalen, sectoral congresses essentially are responsible for the totality of governance, with power that essentially leaves the Federation with a form of polycentric law, each sector in fact enforcing their own laws.
However, what is regulated in Istkalen is generally significantly less than in all other countries. There is technically only one crime - of an "offense against the people" - the regulations of a sectoral congress are but generally vague interpretations of what falls under this crime. What is not regulated, as such, is simply tried as an offense against the people, the severity of which is for a court of law to decide.
Each state of Istkalen has its own sectoral and vocational congresses. These are united in a national "Congresses of Producers," meetings of vocational congresses which exist as to coordinate production and production alone.
Delegates generally must have worked in their given vocation for at least eight years and have demonstrated intimate knowledge and mastery of their work; they are advised by specialized "consultative chambers" generally elected through university constituencies.
Each state has one head of state, who also is the head of government, elected by university constituencies; the position of head of state of the Federation rotates between them.
4. Appearances
Istkaleners approach insanity in terms of appearances. Grooming and related activities are considered forms of labor, it is something they generally spend hours on.
There is an expectation of cleanliness, as well as formal dress, virtually everywhere. To appear disheveled is considered a cardinal sin, and often leads people to believe that one is a terrorist.
Fortunately, what is considered good appearance is the same as it is in the West. Expectations, even at nominally casual events, however, are generally high.
A simple guide: in the Federation, "casual" wear is the equivalent of formal wear in the West; "business-casual" a phrase never used; and "formal" what one would wear when meeting an important dignitary - a President, for example, or even royalty.
One is also expected to present oneself as being a "work of art;" this generally involves one's gait, the way one wears one's clothing, the way one looks at others, and the way that one styles one's hair. This in some cases extends to body modifications, which, while rare, are generally looked at with some form of pride.
One must keep in mind that in spite of this, the country is extremely avant-garde in the way that it treats beauty; however, cleanliness remains the same as in the West, albeit, again to much higher standards.
5. Pastimes
A common joke among Istkaleners is that the country's national pastime is the assassination of politicians; while this may sometimes seem to be true, in reality it is not. The vast majority of Istkaleners generally hold some form of art, whether literary, performance, musical, or visual, as their pastime.
There are community orchestras and symphonies almost everywhere; the same goes with theater. The equivalent of symposiums are significantly more common than in the West. Competitions are very common, and are generally very well attended.
Pastimes are viewed as labor in themselves, often as offbranchings of one's primary field of work, and are thus described and seen in virtually identical ways.
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Producers' Organizations of the Federation of Istkalen
Producers' organizations are the same for each State.
The organizations are as follows:
- Union of General Labor
- Union of Refinement
- Union of Energy
- Union of Printers
- Union of Textiles
- Union of Transport
- Union of Communication
- Union of Research and the Sciences
- Union of the Arts
- Union of Education
- Union of Agriculture
- Union of Planning
- Union of Craftwork
- Union of Independent Laborers
- Union of Healthcare
- Union of the Trades
- Union of Community, Social, and Personal Services
- Union of Engineering and Technology
- Union of Design
- Union of the Household Economy
- Union of Finance and Commerce
- Union of the Civil Service
- Union of State
- Union of General Industry
- Union of Technicians and Machinists
- Union of the General Professions
These 26 unions exist, each, for the five constituent states of the Federation:
- The German Community
- The Community of Estonia
- The Community of the Eastern Istkaleners
- The Community of the Iyinel
- The Community of the Kestens
There are thus a total of 130 entirely different legal systems in Istkalen.
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The Economy of Istkalen
The economy of the Federation of Istkalen is labeled syndicalist due to the work of the coordination of the economy being placed upon union-like "producers' organizations."
However, the economy is in fact predicated on the constitutional rights to property and to work. Ownership of the means of production are concentrated primarily in individuals (in reality couples, for the most part); despite this, many "workplaces" are treated essentially as commons, and are thus managed collectively by those who use them.
For example, a given pastoralist (two pastoralists) would own their own cattle; however, the land on which they would graze would be managed collectively. A similar arrangement exists in the forestry industry, although not in agriculture, where all plots are privately owned, although said ownership is not concentrated - every individual - or more accurately, couple - engaged in agriculture does so on a parcel of land that is their own.
Another example would be the sector of healthcare. All those involved are either contractors of a sort or have private practices; however, their workplaces are collectively managed.
Each individual/couple acts essentially as a traditional business; however, the profit motive is significantly less pronounced in Istkalen. The obsession with profit that exists outside of the country would be frowned upon; in some cases, it would be criminal. Even in those cases that it would not be, it would warrant a boycott and shunning.
The economy is managed through the producers' associations, elected by all those within the corresponding sector, which coordinate and regulate what are essentially the many "dual proprietorships" of Istkalen as to create efficiency and coherent economic policy. This arrangement has been derided as cartel-like by some; praised as "unique" by others. There has been debate as to whether it is a form of state-capitalism, for they form the state apparatus and exist in what is nominally a free market, or a form of socialism due to what some argue is the existence of workers' ownership of the means of production.
Social welfare in Istkalen is underdeveloped compared to the nations surrounding it. While most "essential" industries are heavily subsidized as to lower prices, the sole benefit in Istkalen is a living stipend, given to all citizens on a weekly basis, that theoretically covers all basic living costs.
Istkalenon ejk Njerelis
(WIP)
Helvetistkalenon viejk njerelis, ejkiv sūr "sindikalistel" perkalisz'es - njerelisonj ejk helem - ejk helentip "istmurhelejron" viejk jukaler.
Mert, njerelis eit parakejt tsivelejkhelinneszmetirel vi uriles ja kalisz'es. Orilon viejk jukaler, iv vi leresires - ejkitiv viresires; mert, tenj ejk kalisz'ak, ejkireiv riszejkivir heleirel; ter, ivirel heluorilesejk ejk ivirurt.
Tiskasz: jauamariszechidon evsz njeurisz; mert, njereul rachinivirevsz, ivel heluorilevsz. Julkaliszenuron viejk tisior; mert, nejkiv meliszkalenurakel - viruluorilejkal.
Ja tiskasz: istereszkalnur. Rek istereszachir ejkerl "kontraktorirel" il viruluorilon'irel.
Verek viret isteszejk "puron viejk 'bīsīnes;'" mert, Istkalen, ivonel vin achirenejk. Puroniron viejk "profit;" iv ne Istkalenel - ivel tert hecharevsz.
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Grammar of Standard Helts (very much a WIP)
Cases
case form singular (animate/inanimate) form plural (animate/inanimate) usage Ergative zero morpheme zero, same as regular plural ending the subject of a verb which may have an object (They are here) Absolutive -el / -ur -er / -ursz used to signify subject of a verb without an object or an object of a verb (He drove, They are here.) Dative -es / -us -ers / -urs used to signify that something is for or to a subject (it was for him, we went to them) Used with the verbs "e" or "ne" (is, is not) Genitive -on / -onj -orn / -ern used to signify a state (he is happy) or composition (It is of metal.) Used with the prepositions vi or vin (with, without) Partitive - ek / -uk -erk / -irk used to signify that something is not whole (there is some water, some of the book is read) Used with "e" or "ne." Vocative - esz / - isz - ert / - er' used to signify what is being addressed (Hey, you!) Instrumental - ut / -it - urt / -irt used to signify what something is done with or using (he swept with the broom.) Used with "e" or "ne." Locative -ak / -āk - ark / -ūrk used to signify location (it is in the square) Used with "e" (in), "ne" (not in), "ines" (near), "nes" (far), "tiin" (by), "szin" (across) Lative - asz / -īsz / - art / -īrt used to signify motion towards (it is going to the square) Used with "e", (to) "ne" (from), "tiin" (past) Translative - uszt / -eszt - urts / -erts used to signify transformation (it became this) Used with "e" or "ne" Comitative - ets / -ūts - eszt / -iszt used to signify that something is with or alongside (he is with her) Used with "vi," "vin" Interestingly, the word ī can be added to the beginning of a case as to use it as an interrogative word - īak, for example, is used as the word for "where."
Tense
Indicative
- present perfect: - ej
- present : - ejk
- past perfect: -ijt
- past imperfect: -ijk
- pluperfect: -ijn
- future - ujl
Conditional
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present perfect: -em
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present: - ejm
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past perfect: - in
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past imperfect: -ijm
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pluperfect: -ujm
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future - ujr
Imperative
- present perfect: -et
- present: - ejt
- past perfect: - uszts
- past imperfect: - iszts
- pluperfect: ejn
- future: ejts
Optative
- present perfect: ijsz
- present: ujszt
- past imperfect: emsz
- past perfect: ensz
- pluperfect: ejtssz
- future: ījsz
Presumptive
- present perfect: ejv
- present: evsz
- past imperfect: evts
- past perfect: ens
- pluperfect: elk
- future: elsz
Interrogative
- present perfect: enj
- present: irks
- past imperfect: irksz
- past perfect: irszts
- pluperfect: enjs
- future: injsz
If a tense begins with the same letter that the verb modified ends with, then it there is no need for repetition.
Words do not decline for person; however, these endings do. A verb in the first person must have its first vowel in the language's high tone, second person middle, third person low.
If a verb demonstrates tense, then prepositions do not need to be modified; if it does not or is not existent, then prepositions do need to be modified.
Sound Symbolism
Sound symbolism plays a role in the formation of both nouns and verbs. Here are several sound groupings that may help one understand words:
- ju: liquid, animacy
- mil: warmth, love
- ch: anger, hatred
- kel: fortitude
- kes: beauty, handsomeness, general attractiveness
- kal: dignified, intelligence
- in: small
- jul: long, tall
- sz: speed, action, dynamism
- ts: to speak, speech, conversation, charisma
- nech: no, not, generally negative
- nje: natural
- mel: edibility, sweetness
- ler: man-made, unnatural
- ist: youth, progress
Sample Phrases
Yes - Vīsz
No - Nelts
I live in Kiel - Urel ej Kjelāk
What is your name? - Te vi sūron eirks?
Where do you live? - Te vi keletonj eirks īākur?
Who are you? - Te eirks?
You sweep with the broom. - Tel szisem em juleturt.
You went there - Te eijt lejīszur.
He/She went by the house - Ivel tiinijt keletīszur.
They went by the house - Iver tiinijt keletīszur.
They ran by the house - Iver szeretsijt tiin keletīszur.
Do you have any food? - Te virks insz szelatonjirkursz?
I have food - Te vijk szelatonjursz.
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Dictionary of Standard Helts
Exclamations
Yes - vīsz
No - nelts
Prepositions
"with" - vi
"without" - vin
"by" - tiin
"across, facing" - szin
"near, close" - ines
"far" - nes
high - ao
low - nev
Nouns
first person pronoun- ur
second person pronoun - te
third person pronoun - iv
home, place of dwelling - kelat
broom - julet
food - szelaton
even - insz
(general place, thing, etc) - ī
name - sūr
there - lej
here - lun
world - ersznjes
economy - njerelis
West - pur
ownership, stewardship, usage - oril
responsibility - jukaler
viresir - couple
leresir - individual
tenj - place
labor union, guild - helen
producers' organization, guild - istmurhelejr
pastoralist - mariszech
(switch!)
julkaliszenur - industry of forestry
julkaliszach - forester
meliszkalnur - industry of agriculture
meliszach - farmer
istereszkalnur - industry of medicine
istereszach - practicioner of medicine
njereul - land
njeurisz - cattle
tiskasz - example
luoriles - management, stewardship
vir - two
ler - one
rek - all
verek - each
viret - couple
or - arrangement
Conjunctions
and - ja
or - il
however, despite - mert
Verbs
"is" - e
"is not" - ne
to speak - tsere
to labor - kalisz
to unite - hel
to graze - rachin
profiteering - achiren
parak - based upon, predicated
risz - treated
Affixes
helvet- - federal, federation
per- - because, as a result of
-ip - like, similar
helu- - collective
viru- - two, couple
jaua- - a given, any, random
leru- - one, individual
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Grammar of Irinel
(very much a WIP, even more so than Helts/Haanean)
Irinel is a language in Istkalen.
Noun Classes
class form usage I -ara refers to the head - to objects that are round in shape, or to actions and ideas related to thought and decision making II -ata plural form of class I III -iki refers to the eye - small and round objects, wetness or fluid objects or movement, actions or ideas related to sight IV -isi plural class III V -iri refers to the tongue/mouth - to pliable objects, to flicking motions, to actions and ideas related to speech and articulation of thought, to tastes, to holes, to eating VI -imi plural class V VII -oro refers to the nose - to objects triangular in shape, to ideas related to smell VIII -oto plural class VII IX -ivi refers to the ear - to flat objects, to objects bent in shape, to ideas and actions related to sound X -ini plural class IX XI -aya refers to the limbs - to objects long in shape, to manipulation XII -asa plural class XI XIII -iti refers to the heart, lungs - to beating sounds, to life XIV - iyi plural class XIII XV -oyo refers to the genitals - "private" matters XVI -ono plural class XV Verb Conjugation
Verbs decline for class of subject, number, person, tense, aspect, and mood. Infinitive verbs begin with yi-.
Person
Person Singular Plural First i- ii- Second o- oo- Third a- aa- Class
Class Declension I -im II -at III -ik IV -is V -ir VI -im VII -or VIII -ot IX -iv X -in XI -ay XII -as XIII -it XIV -iy XV -oy XVI -on -