Why this matters: the model is the source of truth, but the sketch is how you actually read a language. If you can trace a sketch line back to its field, you can tell whether a surprise came from the Spec or from the renderer.
The one idea
render derives Markdown from the model. It never invents
linguistic values. The sketch is organized into sections such as
## Phonology, ## Grammar sketch, ## Syntax,
## Meaning, and — when a semantic model exists — ## Model.
See the feature guide.
Trace one line
In level-3-rich.md, the syntax section says:
- Modifier order: postnominal (modifiers after the head)
- Alignment: ergativeThose lines come from two model fields:
| Sketch line | Model field | Spec source |
|---|---|---|
| Modifier order: postnominal | syntax.modifier_order | syntax.modifier_order |
| Alignment: ergative | syntax.alignment | syntax.alignment |
| Word order: SOV | syntax.word_order | syntax.word_order |
Compare the three sketches
| Sketch signal | Minimal | Partial | Rich |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inventory | Large sampled set | Latin set | IPA set |
| Alignment | Accusative | Ergative | Ergative |
| Modifier order | Prenominal | Prenominal | Postnominal |
| Discourse features | Off | Off | On |
| Model section | “No model” | “No model” | Domain and extensions |
Two languages can share a word order and still differ in alignment or modifier side. The sketch makes those axes visible side by side.
Retrieval check
Which sketch section shows word order and alignment?
Which model field explains “postnominal”?
Which run has a model view?
Do it once
- Open
out/language-levels/level-3-rich.md. - Find one line under
## Syntaxand one under## Meaning. - Trace each back to a field in
level-3-rich.json. - Ask: did the sketch add information, or only display the model?
Expected: every sketch line maps to a model field. The sketch is a view, not a second source of truth.
Primary source: the feature guide for how the sketch is organized, and the Spec reference for the syntax keys.
Ask your teacher: if a sketch line surprises you, ask which model field produced it before changing the Spec.
Previous: Where your pins land. Next: Meaning is not the model. Reference: Generation levels cheat sheet.