Valorik (Language)/Derivation

< Valorik (Language)

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

1. If the second root starts with a vowel, use a hyphen or glottal stop (optional for clarity).
2. Gender prefixes are always attached at the very start of the compound.
3. Articles (zeluun, durohn, etc.) are *not* compounded—always separate words.

Example

• **zeluun feniinii** – a little (female) child
• **dzhaklenfiinanah** – a kitchen (lit. “knife-tool house”)