2.3 Evidentiality
These are all the types of Evidentiality found within Ikxentikan languages, though it is incredibly rare to see them naturally all used at the same time. Typical speakers will only use around five of these, with the rest conflated into similar evidentialities. This list comprises all the known evidentialities which are distinct in at least one dialect.
This is used for things that generally do not need explaining, such as the phrase "birds fly", or "The king is alive". Sentences which have a tpye I Evidentiality may bleed over into type II or III Evidentiality, based on a myriad of factors, such as culture or personal beliefs. For example, the sentence "The rebels fought at the temple" in type I Evidentiality would imply that it is a commonly known historical fact - it does not need any evidence to back it up for others to accept that it happened. However, what is and is not a commonly known, indisputible fact will inevitably vary from person to person.
This is used for things that one has explicitly done themselves. For example, "The rebels fought at the temple" in Evidentiality II would imply that the speaker was there, fighting either with or against the rebels.
This is used for just things that one has explicitly seen occur, though this may also be spread to other senses if more applicable. For example, "The rebels fought at the temple" in this Evidentiality would imply that you were there to witness them fight, but were not partaking yourself. Type II and III are the most commonly conflated Evidentialities, especially in younger generations, where they are both taken to mean "things I have witnessed".
This is used for things that you have neither experienced personally nor been told, but have seen proof for. For example, "The rebels fought at the temple" in type IV Evidentiality would imply that you were not there to witness the fight, nor have you been told of it, but you can see the marks on buildings from the fight. Deduction may also be used as a less potent version of type I Evidentiality. For example, if you knew the phrases "Birds fly" and "A chicken is a bird", you may state "Chickens can fly" under type IV Evidentiality.
Hearsay Evidentiality is used for things that have been spoken to you. For example, "The rebels fought at the temple" in this Evidentiality would mean "I was told that the rebels fought at the temple". This is generally assumed to mean that the source is likely trustworthy, it is by no means definitely an accurate source.
Type V and VI are increasingly becoming conflated. However, in older generations and older stories, this type is still distinguished. This is used for things that were written down, especially in historical texts; for things that are a direct quote from another speaker, or; things that were relayed to the speaker from a very trustworthy, indisputable source. While "The rebels fought at the temple" in this Evidentiality would generally mean the same thing as type V, it would imply that it has either come from a more credible source (e.g, from a king rather than a cousin), or is something that the speaker has seen written down, but does not credit to being common knowledge (e.g, found in an obscure history book)
This is used when there is no evidence backing what the speaker is saying. For example, "The rebels fought at the temple" would imply that the speaker does not know where the Rebels fought, or does not know who did the fighting, but can make a guess that it would likely be at the temple.
This is used for things that we are not certain about, but hope to be true. For example, "The rebels fought at the temple" in type VIII evidentiality would imply that the speaker either does not know who fought, or where the fighting was, or even if there was a fight - but they hope it was the rebels at the temple. Type VIII Evidentiality is rarely seen, even amongst the eldest generations. It can be found predominantly in small insular clusters, particularly in the east. If this type is present, it will almost invaribly be used in conjunction with type IX.
This is used similarly to type VIII, except with things that the speaker hopes did not happen. For example, "The rebels fought at the temple" in this evidentiality would imply that, though you may know the rebels fought, you hope they did not fight at the temple. It is often used with further clues in the context of what is being spoken exactly what the speaker hopes not to be true.
This evidentiality is used for things that the speaker knows to be not true. This may be used to refute what others may speak of as common fact, what someone is quoted as saying, or simply for flavour. For example, "The rebels fought at the temple" in this evidentiality may be just a poetic way of saying "The rebels did not fight at the temple", but it would more commonly be used as a reply to someone else stating that they believe the rebels fought at the temple.