Conditional & Hypothetical Constructions
1. Core Conditional Structure
All conditionals use result-first order:
[Result Clause] [CONDITIONAL PARTICLE] [Condition Clause]
Gloss:
X is the resultant condition, if / given / under Y holds.
Conditionals assert dependency, not causation.
2. Universal Constraints
- Invocative mood is forbidden in both clauses.
- Imperative mood is forbidden in the condition clause.
- Default tense is non-past.
- Past tense in the condition expresses counterfactual / unreal meaning.
- Conditional particles do not stack.
3. Conditional Particles (Distinct Domains)
Isathes distinguishes three conditional particles with non-overlapping semantic roles.
3.1 sare — Factual / Contingent Conditional
(“given that”)
Meaning: The result applies if the condition in fact holds.
Domain: logical, factual, situational (default conditional).
Use: practical reasoning; neutral conditionals; many requests.
Form
X sare Y
Example
Talir kisal sare [help]
Ability exists, if you help.
→ If you help, I can.
3.2 kel — Evaluative / Social Conditional
(“on the condition that”)
Meaning: The result is evaluated or offered under the condition, without authority or pressure.
Domain: social negotiation, politeness, proposals.
Use: requests, offers, soft persuasion.
Form
X kel Y
Example
ei [glad] kisal kel thi [come]
I would be glad, on the condition that you come.
→ Could you come?
3.3 nae — Hypothetical / Counterfactual Conditional
(“under the possibility that”)
Meaning: The result is considered under an unreal, uncertain, or contrary-to-fact condition.
Domain: speculative, philosophical, reflective, narrative.
Use: counterfactuals, regret, thought experiments.
Form
X nae Y
Example (counterfactual)
[Peace] kisal nae [war] na-vesala
Peace would exist, if war had not endured.
4. Tense Interaction
| Condition Clause Tense | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Non-past | Open / possible |
| Past | Counterfactual / unreal |
Applies to sare, kel, and nae (most common with nae).
5. Requests
Requests in Isathes are expressed as conditional constructions, never as imperatives or invocatives.
Preferred particles:
- kel (polite, evaluative)
- sare (neutral, practical)
Explicitly excluded:
- Imperative mood
- Invocative mood
- Binding or coercive constructions
This guarantees requests are non-binding, non-coercive, and ethically legible.
6. Summary
Isathes expresses conditional and hypothetical relations using clause-medial particles placed between a resultant clause and a condition clause. Three particles are distinguished:
sare(factual contingency),kel(evaluative/social conditional), andnae(hypothetical or counterfactual). Conditional constructions assert dependency without asserting causation and prohibit invocative mood. Requests are expressed as conditionals to avoid command or binding force.