Basic Properties
Royal is a subject–object–verb language. Adjectives typically follow the noun they modify, though there are a small number that normally precede them, that may have different meanings when following them. Royal has postpositions rather than prepositions, and in addition, it only has two. Reduplication, both of the initial syllable and entire words, is frequently used in Royal to perform a number of functions. Royal is an isolating language; nouns and verbs, reduplication exempt, never change form.
Nouns
Pronouns
In the 2nd singular, there is a formality distinction. The plural of the 1st and 2nd is formed with the elsewhere-unseen suffix -yën, but the 3rd has an irregular plural form. The third person singular can also be used for any gender, as well as for inanimate and animate objects. There is also the reflexive pronoun min.
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | ko | koyën |
| 2nd (informal) | no | noyën |
| 2nd (formal) | mula | |
| 3rd | tal | këlun |
| Reflexive | min | |
The possessives are all formed regularly with the possessive postposition te.
There are three demonstrative pronouns in Royal. It is a three-way distinction between i "this/these"–a object close to the speaker, dan "that/those", an object close to the listener but not the speaker, and yai "yonder", an object far from both listener and speaker. These demonstratives can act as standalone pronouns as well, in addition to modifying nouns.