Valorik (Language)/Derivation: Difference between revisions
Valorik (Language)/Derivation
 Cdjensen94 (talk | contribs) (Created page with " == Derivational Morphology and Word Formation == Valorik uses both prefixes and suffixes to create new words and to indicate nuances such as agency, location, size, and more. === Common Derivational Prefixes === ; Gender/Class : * **zel-** (feminine), **dur-** (masculine), **pek-** (neuter) ; Agent (one who does X) : * **-shen** or **-len** (from “one who Xs”) * Example: **menuuthelen** – eater (from “to eat”) ; Diminutive (smallness or endearment) :...") |
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Valorik Derivation}} | |||
[[Valorik (Language)|< Valorik (Language)]] | |||
== Derivational Morphology and Word Formation == | == Derivational Morphology and Word Formation == | ||
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* **-shen** or **-len** (from “one who Xs”) | * **-shen** or **-len** (from “one who Xs”) | ||
** Example: **menuuthelen** – eater (from “to eat”) | |||
; Diminutive (smallness or endearment) | ; Diminutive (smallness or endearment) | ||
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* **-il** or **-nii** (attached at end) | * **-il** or **-nii** (attached at end) | ||
** Example: **fenii** – child, **feniinii** – little child | |||
; Augmentative (largeness, greatness) | ; Augmentative (largeness, greatness) | ||
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* **-thaan** or **-kaan** (attached at end) | * **-thaan** or **-kaan** (attached at end) | ||
** Example: **kaile** – big, **kailethaan** – very big | |||
; Place/Location | ; Place/Location | ||
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* **-nah** (place associated with root) | * **-nah** (place associated with root) | ||
** Example: **fiinanah** – house, home (from **fiina** “home”) | |||
; Abstract noun (concept, state) | ; Abstract noun (concept, state) | ||
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* **-ethuh** (attached at end) | * **-ethuh** (attached at end) | ||
** Example: **zelvethuh** – year, time (from **zel-** + time root) | |||
; Instrument/Tool | ; Instrument/Tool | ||
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* **-klen** (used for devices/tools) | * **-klen** (used for devices/tools) | ||
** Example: **dzhaklen** – knife (from **dzha** "cut") | |||
=== Compound Words === | === Compound Words === | ||
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* **dzhaklenfiinanah** – a kitchen (lit. “knife-tool house”) | * **dzhaklenfiinanah** – a kitchen (lit. “knife-tool house”) | ||
[[Category:Valorik Language]] | |||
[[Category:Languages]] | |||
Latest revision as of 02:02, 31 July 2025
Derivational Morphology and Word Formation
Valorik uses both prefixes and suffixes to create new words and to indicate nuances such as agency, location, size, and more.
Common Derivational Prefixes
- Gender/Class
- **zel-** (feminine), **dur-** (masculine), **pek-** (neuter)
- Agent (one who does X)
- **-shen** or **-len** (from “one who Xs”)
- Example: **menuuthelen** – eater (from “to eat”)
- Diminutive (smallness or endearment)
- **-il** or **-nii** (attached at end)
- Example: **fenii** – child, **feniinii** – little child
- Augmentative (largeness, greatness)
- **-thaan** or **-kaan** (attached at end)
- Example: **kaile** – big, **kailethaan** – very big
- Place/Location
- **-nah** (place associated with root)
- Example: **fiinanah** – house, home (from **fiina** “home”)
- Abstract noun (concept, state)
- **-ethuh** (attached at end)
- Example: **zelvethuh** – year, time (from **zel-** + time root)
- Instrument/Tool
- **-klen** (used for devices/tools)
- Example: **dzhaklen** – knife (from **dzha** "cut")
Compound Words
Valorik builds new meanings through straightforward compounding, typically **noun + modifier** or **root + root**:
- Order is usually left-to-right, head-first (main idea comes first).
- Examples
- **foorishnuh** – canidae large (foor “canidae” + ish “large”)
- **dzhaklen** – cutting tool (dzhak “cut” + klen “tool”)
- **fiinanahzaaluh** – house on (compound place phrase)
Particles, adjectives, and number markers can be compounded as well for specificity.
Derivation Table (Examples)
| Base | Meaning | Diminutive | Augmentative | Agent/Doer | Place/Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fenii | child | feniinii | feniithaan | fenii-len | feniinah |
| menuuthe | eat | menuuthiil | menuuthaan | menuuthelan | menuuthenah |
| kaile | big | kaileil | kailethaan |
Typical Compounding Rules
- If the second root starts with a vowel, use a hyphen or glottal stop (optional for clarity).
- Gender prefixes are always attached at the very start of the compound.
- Articles (zeluun, durohn, etc.) are *not* compounded—always separate words.
- Example
- **zeluun feniinii** – a little (female) child
- **dzhaklenfiinanah** – a kitchen (lit. “knife-tool house”)