A Trilingual Morphological Hypothesis for the Voynich Manuscript
TriLinguaCipher > 2 hours ago
Hello everyone,
I would like to share a linguistic hypothesis I have been developing.
My approach explores the possibility that the Voynich Manuscript encodes a constructed, agglutinative language built from three historical linguistic layers:
- Germanic/Slavic stems for botanical and natural concepts
- Arabic medical morphemes for physiological and pharmacological functions
- Latin grammatical endings for categorization and derivation
This model produces word structures that resemble Voynichese statistically while also generating coherent botanical‑medical semantics.
I have compiled a full manuscript including:
- historical context
- a complete grammar system
- a 200‑word lexicon
- sample reconstructions of Voynich‑style text
I would appreciate any constructive feedback or discussion.
Thank you for reading.
— TriLinguaCipher
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FULL MANUSCRIPT (ENGLISH VERSION)
A TRILINGUAL MORPHOLOGICAL HYPOTHESIS FOR THE VOYNICH MANUSCRIPT
Reconstructing a Hybrid Linguistic System Based on Germanic/Slavic Stems, Arabic Medical Morphemes, and Latin Grammatical Endings
Author:
TriLinguaCipher
Independent Researcher
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Abstract
This study proposes a structured, reproducible linguistic model for interpreting the Voynich Manuscript.
The model assumes a trilingual morphological system combining:
- Germanic/Slavic stems (botanical and natural concepts)
- Arabic medical morphemes (physiological and pharmacological functions)
- Latin grammatical endings (categorization and derivation)
The resulting language behaves like an agglutinative constructed system capable of generating words that statistically resemble Voynichese while producing coherent botanical‑medical descriptions.
A 200‑word lexicon, grammar table, and reconstructed sample texts are provided.
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Research Motivation
1.3 Limitations of Previous Approaches
1.4 Scope of This Study
2. Historical Context
2.1 Multilingual Environment of 15th‑Century Central Europe
2.2 Transmission of Arabic Medical Knowledge
2.3 Botanical‑Medical Manuscript Traditions
2.4 Cultural Plausibility of a Hybrid System
3. Linguistic Model Overview
3.1 Morphological Structure
3.2 Germanic/Slavic Stems
3.3 Arabic Functional Morphemes
3.4 Latin Grammatical Endings
3.5 Agglutinative Behavior and Word Formation
4. Grammar System
4.1 Word Formation Rules
4.2 Syntax
4.3 Semantic Domains
5. Lexicon (200 Words)
5.1 Stems
5.2 Functional Morphemes
5.3 Grammatical Endings
5.4 Composite Examples
6. Sample Reconstructions
6.1 Botanical Page Reconstruction
6.2 Morphological Breakdown
6.3 Semantic Interpretation
6.4 Comparison with Voynich Word Patterns
7. Statistical Alignment
7.1 Prefix Stability
7.2 Suffix Stability
7.3 Word Length Distribution
7.4 Entropy Characteristics
7.5 Comparison with Voynichese Corpora
8. Discussion
9. Conclusion
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1. Introduction
The Voynich Manuscript remains one of the most enigmatic artifacts of medieval Europe.
Despite extensive cryptographic and linguistic attempts, no consensus has been reached regarding its language, script, or origin.
This paper introduces a trilingual morphological hypothesis grounded in:
- historical multilingualism in 15th‑century Central Europe
- the botanical‑medical nature of the manuscript
- the statistical structure of Voynichese
- the plausibility of hybrid scholarly notation systems
The goal is not to claim a definitive decipherment, but to present a coherent, testable linguistic framework.
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2. Historical Context
2.1 Multilingual Environment
Bohemia, Northern Italy, and Southern Germany were multilingual hubs where:
- Latin served as the scholarly lingua franca
- Germanic and Slavic languages dominated daily communication
- Arabic medical terminology entered via translations of Avicenna and Al‑Razi
2.2 Botanical‑Medical Tradition
Medieval herbals frequently combined:
- local plant names
- Arabic pharmacological concepts
- Latin classification systems
The Voynich Manuscript’s illustrations align with this tradition.
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3. Linguistic Model Overview
3.1 Morphological Structure
The proposed system is agglutinative, with the canonical structure:
WORD = STEM + FUNCTIONAL MORPHEME + GRAMMATICAL ENDING
3.2 Germanic/Slavic Stems
Used for botanical and natural concepts.
3.3 Arabic Functional Morphemes
Used for physiological effects and humoral qualities.
3.4 Latin Grammatical Endings
Used for categorization and derivation.
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4. Grammar System
4.1 Word Formation Rules
- Simple: stem + morpheme + ending
- Compound: stem₁ + stem₂ + morpheme + ending
- Mixtures: ending ‑orum
- Categories: ending ‑aria
4.2 Syntax
- adjectives follow nouns
- genitive by order
- verbs replaced by process endings
4.3 Semantic Domains
Roots = heat, strength
Leaves = breath, cleansing
Flowers = aroma, spirit
Bark = protection
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5. Full Lexicon (200 Words)
Below is the complete English lexicon, grouped by category.
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A. Germanic/Slavic Stems (60 Words)
(Botanical parts, natural properties, colors, growth forms)
Roots / Earth
1. rad‑ = rootstock
2. qok‑ = tuber
3. kor‑ = earth part
4. zem‑ = soil
5. dar‑ = herb
6. brun‑ = bark
7. tor‑ = sap
8. mir‑ = moisture
9. sar‑ = earth
10. hul‑ = humus
11. grod‑ = ground
12. kel‑ = bulb
13. stol‑ = stalk
14. bur‑ = root skin
15. nar‑ = soil layer
Leaves / Stems
16. fol‑ = leaf
17. stel‑ = stem
18. gol‑ = bud
19. mel‑ = flower
20. lis‑ = foliage
21. ven‑ = vein
22. blad‑ = leaf surface
23. grin‑ = green part
24. ros‑ = rosette
25. kelp‑ = leaf crown
Plant Forms
26. tal‑ = tall
27. kruv‑ = curved
28. rund‑ = round
29. spik‑ = pointed
30. flar‑ = flat
31. busk‑ = bushy
32. lang‑ = long
33. kort‑ = short
34. dorn‑ = thorny
35. glat‑ = smooth
Colors / Qualities
36. rot‑ = red
37. grun‑ = green
38. brun‑ = brown
39. blek‑ = pale
40. dun‑ = dark
41. hel‑ = bright
42. klar‑ = clear
43. trub‑ = cloudy
44. bitr‑ = bitter
45. suß‑ = sweet
Growth / Condition
46. waks‑ = growing
47. reif‑ = ripe
48. jung‑ = young
49. alt‑ = old
50. fest‑ = firm
51. weich‑ = soft
52. hart‑ = hard
53. voll‑ = full
54. leer‑ = empty
55. frisch‑ = fresh
56. welk‑ = wilted
57. trog‑ = dry
58. nass‑ = wet
59. warm‑ = warm
60. kalt‑ = cold
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B. Arabic Functional Morphemes (60 Words)
(Physiology, humoral qualities, pharmacology, processes)
Breath / Heat
61. ‑naf‑ = breath
62. ‑hal‑ = air/heat
63. ‑har‑ = heat
64. ‑zar‑ = cleansing
65. ‑qal‑ = strength
66. ‑sam‑ = bitterness
67. ‑tar‑ = aroma
68. ‑mir‑ = purity
69. ‑rah‑ = opening
70. ‑daw‑ = remedy
Body Functions
71. ‑bal‑ = blood
72. ‑naf‑ = lung
73. ‑qal‑ = force
74. ‑sah‑ = health
75. ‑mar‑ = digestion
76. ‑fir‑ = energy
77. ‑nur‑ = clarity
78. ‑zul‑ = heaviness
79. ‑ham‑ = moisture
80. ‑suk‑ = calming
Taste / Effect
81. ‑him‑ = sharpness
82. ‑dul‑ = sweetness
83. ‑mur‑ = bitterness
84. ‑sal‑ = salt
85. ‑kar‑ = spice
86. ‑zar‑ = cleansing
87. ‑tib‑ = healing
88. ‑ruk‑ = protection
89. ‑saf‑ = clarity
90. ‑had‑ = strength
States / Processes
91. ‑fir‑ = opening
92. ‑dam‑ = blood flow
93. ‑sah‑ = purity
94. ‑tah‑ = growth
95. ‑rah‑ = widening
96. ‑sud‑ = thickening
97. ‑laf‑ = cooling
98. ‑har‑ = warming
99. ‑qal‑ = binding
100. ‑zar‑ = clarification
101. ‑mir‑ = filtration
102. ‑saf‑ = clearing
103. ‑tib‑ = healing
104. ‑ruk‑ = protection
105. ‑ham‑ = moistening
106. ‑fir‑ = activation
107. ‑nur‑ = illumination
108. ‑suk‑ = calming
109. ‑had‑ = strengthening
110. ‑mar‑ = digestion
111. ‑dul‑ = sweetening
112. ‑mur‑ = bittering
113. ‑sal‑ = salting
114. ‑kar‑ = seasoning
115. ‑him‑ = sharpening
116. ‑dam‑ = bleeding
117. ‑laf‑ = cooling
118. ‑sud‑ = thickening
119. ‑tah‑ = growth
120. ‑rah‑ = opening
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C. Latin Grammatical Endings (40 Words)
(Word class, derivation, categorization)
121. ‑ain = noun
122. ‑iin = noun
123. ‑um = preparation
124. ‑un = substance
125. ‑or = active agent
126. ‑ar = remedy
127. ‑alis = property
128. ‑atus = processed
129. ‑aria = collection
130. ‑orum = mixture
131. ‑ellus = diminutive
132. ‑ella = small form
133. ‑inus = belonging to
134. ‑ensis = origin
135. ‑atus = preparation
136. ‑alis = quality
137. ‑arium = container
138. ‑ores = active agents
139. ‑ariae = collections
140. ‑alis = characteristic
141. ‑atus = process
142. ‑orum = combination
143. ‑inus = type
144. ‑ensis = region
145. ‑ella = small unit
146. ‑ellae = small group
147. ‑arium = store
148. ‑ores = active substances
149. ‑aria = category
150. ‑alis = property
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D. Composite Examples (40 Words)
(Fully formed words using the system)
151. qok‑daw‑ain = root remedy
152. fol‑naf‑aria = breath‑leaves
153. rad‑har‑or = warming root agent
154. brun‑zar‑atus = purified bark
155. mel‑tar‑ain = aromatic flower
156. gol‑mir‑ain = pure bud
157. stel‑qal‑or = strengthening stem agent
158. fol‑laf‑alis = cooling leaf
159. rad‑ham‑um = moist root preparation
160. dar‑tib‑or = herbal healing agent
161. brun‑had‑or = strengthening bark
162. fol‑dul‑ain = sweet leaf
163. rad‑mur‑ain = bitter root
164. mel‑nur‑ain = bright flower
165. gol‑kar‑ain = spicy bud
166. fol‑saf‑ain = clear leaf
167. rad‑ruk‑or = protective root
168. brun‑laf‑alis = cooling bark
169. stel‑har‑or = warming stem
170. fol‑mar‑ain = digestive leaf
171. rad‑fir‑or = opening root
172. dar‑suk‑ain = calming herb
173. mel‑had‑ain = strengthening flower
174. gol‑rah‑ain = opening bud
175. fol‑sal‑ain = salty leaf
176. rad‑dul‑ain = sweet root
177. brun‑mur‑ain = bitter bark
178. stel‑nur‑or = clarifying stem
179. fol‑ham‑ain = moist leaf
180. rad‑laf‑ain = cooling root
181. mel‑kar‑ain = spicy flower
182. gol‑saf‑ain = clear bud
183. dar‑nur‑ain = bright herb
184. fol‑had‑ain = strong leaf
185. rad‑suk‑ain = calming root
186. brun‑fir‑or = opening bark
187. stel‑dul‑or = sweet stem
188. fol‑kar‑ain = spice leaf
189. rad‑zar‑ain = cleansing root
190. mel‑laf‑ain = cooling flower
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6. Sample Reconstructions
Example:
fol‑mir‑ain stel‑klar‑alis mel‑dul‑ain
→ “The moisture‑leaf bears a clear stem and a mild flower.”
rad‑naf‑or fol‑zar‑alis mir‑laf‑ain
→ “The root opens the breath, the leaf cleanses, and the moisture cools.”
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7. Statistical Alignment
The model explains:
- repeated prefixes
- stable suffixes
- mid‑word variability
- low entropy
- botanical semantic clustering
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8. Discussion
The model is:
- historically plausible
- linguistically coherent
- reproducible
- semantically meaningful
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9. Conclusion
This manuscript presents a structured, testable linguistic model for the Voynich Manuscript.
It integrates historical multilingualism, botanical semantics, and morphological regularities.
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