Numbers in Intal
Numbers in Intal follow a decimal system with a unique structure influenced by multiple international auxiliary languages. Spoken by enthusiasts and learners since its creation in 1956, Intal aims to unify linguistic features from Esperanto, Ido, Occidental, Neo, Novial, and Interlingua. Its counting system is distinctive, combining simple roots for 1-9, a clear pattern for tens, hundreds, and large numbers. This makes it accessible yet systematic, especially for those familiar with European languages. The language’s design emphasizes logical consistency, making numbers in Intal both easy to learn and culturally intriguing for conlang enthusiasts and linguists alike.
Number system
Intal uses a decimal system where digits 1-9 are represented by specific words: un [1], du [2], tri [3], kvar [4], kvin [5], siks [6], sep [7], ok [8], nin [9]. Tens are formed by suffixing 'dek' to the unit: dek [10], dudek [20], tridek [30], kvardek [40], kvindek [50], siksdek [60], sepdek [70], okdek [80], nindek [90]. Numbers 11-19 are formed by adding 'dek' to the unit: dekun [11], dekdu [12], dektri [13], dekkvar [14], dekkvin [15], deksiks [16], deksep [17], dekok [18], deknin [19]. Compound numbers combine tens and units with a space, e.g., dudek un [21], siksdek kvar [64], or sepdek tri [70 + 3]. Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'sent': sent [100], dusent [200], trisent [300], kvarsent [400], etc. Thousands are formed similarly with 'mil': mil [1,000], du mil [2,000], tri mil [3,000], etc. Large numbers follow the long scale, with 'milion' (million), 'milarde' (billion), and 'bilion' (trillion).
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Counting from 1 to 9
Digits 1-9 are represented by specific words: un [1], du [2], tri [3], kvar [4], kvin [5], siks [6], sep [7], ok [8], nin [9]. For example, 6 is 'siks', 9 is 'nin', and 3 is 'tri'.
Forming tens
Tens are created by suffixing 'dek' to the units: 10 is 'dek', 20 is 'dudek', 30 is 'tridek', 40 is 'kvardek', 50 is 'kvindek', 60 is 'siksdek', 70 is 'sepdek', 80 is 'okdek', 90 is 'nindek'. For example, 70 is 'sepdek'.
Numbers 11-19
Numbers from eleven to nineteen are formed by adding 'dek' to the unit: 11 is 'dekun', 12 is 'dekdu', 13 is 'dektri', 14 is 'dekkvar', 15 is 'dekkvin', 16 is 'deksiks', 17 is 'deksep', 18 is 'dekok', 19 is 'deknin'.
Constructing compound numbers
Numbers between 21 and 99 are formed by placing the tens word first, followed by the units separated by a space. For example, 42 is 'kvardek kvar' (40 + 2), 64 is 'siksdek kvar' (60 + 4), and 78 is 'sepdek ok' (70 + 8).
Hundreds
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier digit before 'sent' without space: 100 is 'sent', 200 is 'dusent', 300 is 'trisent', 400 is 'kvarsent', etc. For example, 600 is 'sikssent'.
Thousands
Thousands are formed by placing the digit before 'mil' with a space: 1,000 is 'mil', 2,000 is 'du mil', 3,000 is 'tri mil', and so on. For example, 4,000 is 'kvar mil'.
Large numbers
Large numbers follow the long scale: 1 million is 'un milion', 1 billion is 'un milarde', and 1 trillion is 'un bilion'. Each new term is one million times the previous.
Unique features
Numbers from 11 to 19 are formed by adding 'dek' to units, similar to some Romance languages, but with unique words like 'dekun' and 'dekdu'.
The formation of compound numbers uses a space between tens and units, unlike some languages that use hyphens or concatenation.
Large numbers follow the long scale, with 'milion', 'milarde', and 'bilion', which is different from the short scale used in English.
The language borrows no words but creates its own consistent system, making it highly logical and easy to learn.
The words for 100 ('sent') and 1,000 ('mil') are simple and distinct, facilitating quick comprehension for learners.
Cultural context
Intal was designed as an international auxiliary language, intended for global communication and cultural exchange. Although it is now largely forgotten, its speakers historically included language enthusiasts and conlang creators. The language was meant to be neutral and easy to learn, with numbers playing a crucial role in trade, education, and international correspondence. In its cultural context, numbers in Intal symbolize clarity and universality, with no taboo or superstitions attached. The use of large numbers like 'un milion' or 'un bilion' reflects its aim to handle global-scale concepts seamlessly, emphasizing its purpose as a tool for international understanding.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 16 is 'deksiks', combining 'dek' (10) and 'siks' (6), illustrating the regular pattern for 11-19.
Fact 2: Unlike English, which uses 'twenty-one', Intal uses 'dudek un', showing its vigesimal influence for compound numbers.
Fact 3: The formation of large numbers like 'un milion' demonstrates the long scale, which is used in many European languages but differs from the short scale in English.
Fact 4: Erich Weferling, the creator of Intal, aimed for a logical and neutral language, and the number system reflects this with consistent rules and no irregularities.
Fact 5: The word for 100, 'sent', is short and easy to remember, facilitating rapid counting in large-scale calculations or discussions.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Intal?
1 is 'un', 2 is 'du', 3 is 'tri', 4 is 'kvar', 5 is 'kvin', 6 is 'siks', 7 is 'sep', 8 is 'ok', 9 is 'nin', and 10 is 'dek'.
What number base does Intal use?
Intal uses a decimal (base-10) system, evidenced by the words for 10 ('dek'), 20 ('dudek'), and 100 ('sent'), which follow the powers of ten pattern.
How do you say 42 in Intal?
42 is 'kvardek kvar' (40 + 2), formed by 'kvardek' (40) plus 'kvar' (2).
How do you say 100 in Intal?
100 is 'sent', and larger hundreds are formed by placing the digit before 'sent', such as 'sikssent' for 600.
How many people speak Intal?
The exact number of speakers is unknown, but it was created as an international auxiliary language, intended for global use among language enthusiasts.
Is Intal related to other languages?
Intal is a constructed language inspired by various international auxiliary languages like Esperanto, Ido, and Interlingua, but it is a unique creation by Erich Weferling.
What makes Intal counting unique?
Its systematic formation of numbers, especially the regular pattern for 11-19 and the long scale for large numbers, makes it highly logical and distinctive among constructed languages.
Sources
- Intal-German dictionary