Learning Tonesu

Tonesu is a constructed language built on ~34 primitive roots. Every word is compositional. Grammar is minimal and fixed. There are no irregular forms.

This section teaches it in order — from first exposure to producing your own sentences.

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How this works

Each lesson starts with real sentences from the corpus — not invented examples. You read them first, then you get the explanation. Patterns emerge through use.

Lessons are short. One concept per lesson, one sentence cluster, two exercises. Use the Word Builder alongside the lessons to explore compounds, test your parse reasoning, and construct new words.

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The stages

Stage	What it covers	Status
Stage 0 — First Contact	Three real sentences. See what you can work out before reading on.	✅ Available
Stage 1 — Roots in context	Roots introduced through sentences, in clusters of 3–6. Reuse heavily.	✅ Available
Stage 2 — Compound construction	Head-final composition, the ' juncture marker, ambiguity drills.	✅ Available
Stage 3 — Grammar and notation	Particles and notation marks together — they are experienced together.	✅ Available
Stage 4 — Derived vocabulary	Work through the registry; parse derived entries from roots.	✅ Available
Stage 5 — Scope prefixes	The five V-prefix scope modifiers: universal, particular, interior, collective, in-process.	✅ Available
Stage 6 — Epistemic discipline	The philosophical core: calibrated claims, evidential frames, when to hedge.	✅ Available
Stage 7 — Production	Original sentences, register, translation challenges.	✅ Available

Start at Stage 0.

If you prefer to orient yourself with the full language first, the Quick start and reference section are always available.