In this article, we will look at terminology for directions, as well as basic geography terms. The Common language uses both absolute and person-centric relative framing, with either one being routinely used, but relative framing predominating when giving directions.

Cardinal Directions

The table below gives the basic points of the compass. Common considers these terms. When used as nouns, they stand for the direction itself. They can also be used as pali verbs meaning to bear in that direction or be in that direction. Derived as modifiers, they are an irregular group and mean that the referent is that direction relative of some stated or unstated object. They can take an explicit object, hence they are considered to be second class modifiers rather than third class even though they are derived.

The corner directions are made by compounding with the east-west axis term as the head, so essentially the same as English. 'Northeast', for example, would be 'haretimu'. Some basic example are given below.

As a Location

You can talk about the direction as though it were a place. E.g.:

A hare se an hyre.
The North is cold.

You can also use them both in giving directions and to describe the relative direction of something by using in an adverbial prepositional phrase introduced with 'u', 'towards'.

A Epekwit se an u na timu.
Epekwit is to the east.

As a Modifier of Direction or Location

Derived with the -(y)s modifier ending, the directions can be used as adjectives or adverbs deriving the location or motion of their referent to some unstated object, or to an explicit object. When used as adjectives they imply static location. When used as adverbs, they imply motion rather than location, but the verb of motion use is more likely unless a verb of manner of motion is used.. Examples:

A malas costo se an eotil.
The western house is red.

A costo malas na meru se an eotil.
The house west of the lake is red. 

A pikki nox timus motu.
The cat is walking east.

As a Verb of Bearing

Terms of direction can be used directly as verbs meaning 'to be or bear in the direction'. E.g.:

A cejátuin sete sela.
The(ABS) MASC-person stand(NP.PF) south.

'The man went south.'

As a noxaj benefactive verb, a dative destination is assumed and can be made explicit:

A cejátuin noxot sela ija Mehiko.
The man went south to Mexico.

Relative Directions

The relative direction words of Common work similarly to the cardinal directions, with words for 'right' and 'left' that are terms and which as nouns are locations and as verbs are verbs of bearing.

Basic Geography

We will finish this article by introducing some basic words for geographical features and atmospherics.

Settlements

The Common language has words for the following settlement types.