Valorik (Language)/Derivation: Difference between revisions

← Older edit

VisualWikitext

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 [[Valorik (Language)|< Valorik (Language)]]
-== Derivational Morphology and Word Formation ==
+= Derivational Morphology in Valorik =
-Valorik uses both prefixes and suffixes to create new words and to indicate nuances such as agency, location, size, and more.
-=== Common Derivational Prefixes ===
+Valorik forms new words through a structured system of prefixes, suffixes, and compounding. Derivational morphology is productive, regular, and closely constrained by phonotactics and social register.
-; Gender/Class
+== Overview ==
+Derivation in Valorik is used to express:
+* grammatical class (gendered or neuter reference)
+* agency and role
+* size and intensity
+* location and instrumentality
+* abstraction and conceptual states
+Most derivational morphology attaches directly to lexical roots without internal sound change.
+== Gender and Class Prefixes ==
+Valorik marks grammatical and social class using prefixes. These prefixes are productive across nouns, titles, and certain derived forms.
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Prefix !! IPA !! Function
+|-
+| zɛl- || /zɛl/ || Feminine
+|-
+| duːr- || /duːɹ/ || Masculine
+|-
+| pɛk- || /pɛk/ || Neuter
+|}
+These prefixes always occur at the beginning of the word and precede all other derivational material.
+; Examples
 :
+* '''zɛlfɛniː''' – female child
+* '''duːrmɛɹɪk''' – male progenitor
+* '''pɛkfiːnə''' – neutral dwelling / structure
+== Derivational Suffixes ==
+=== Agent (Doer of an Action) ===
+Used to derive nouns referring to one who performs an action.
+* '''-ʃɛn'''
+* '''-lɛn'''
-* **zel-** (feminine), **dur-** (masculine), **pek-** (neuter)
+The choice is lexically conditioned but phonologically regular.
-; Agent (one who does X)
+; Example
 :
+* '''mɛnuːθəlɛn''' – eater (from '''mɛnuːθə''' “to eat”)
+=== Diminutive ===
+Expresses smallness, youth, or affection.
-* **-shen** or **-len** (from “one who Xs”)
+* '''-ɪl'''
-** Example: **menuuthelen** – eater (from “to eat”)
+* '''-niː'''
-; Diminutive (smallness or endearment)
+; Examples
 :
+* '''fɛniː''' – child
+* '''fɛniːniː''' – little child
+* '''kɑɪlɪl''' – small / lesser
+=== Augmentative ===
+Expresses largeness, intensity, or greatness.
-* **-il** or **-nii** (attached at end)
+* '''-θɛɪn'''
-** Example: **fenii** – child, **feniinii** – little child
+* '''-kɛɪn'''
-; Augmentative (largeness, greatness)
+; Example
 :
+* '''kɑɪləθɛɪn''' – very large, great
+=== Place / Location ===
+Forms nouns indicating a place associated with the root.
-* **-thaan** or **-kaan** (attached at end)
+* '''-nɔ'''
-** Example: **kaile** – big, **kailethaan** – very big
-; Place/Location
+; Example
 :
+* '''fiːnənɔ''' – home, dwelling place (from '''fiːnə''' “house”)
+=== Abstract Noun ===
+Forms concepts, states, or temporal abstractions.
-* **-nah** (place associated with root)
+* '''-ɛθə'''
-** Example: **fiinanah** – house, home (from **fiina** “home”)
-; Abstract noun (concept, state)
+; Example
 :
+* '''zɛnvɛθə''' – time, year, duration
+=== Instrument / Tool ===
+Forms nouns referring to tools or implements.
-* **-ethuh** (attached at end)
+* '''-klɛn'''
-** Example: **zelvethuh** – year, time (from **zel-** + time root)
-; Instrument/Tool
+; Example
 :
+* '''d͡ʒɔklɛn''' – knife (from '''d͡ʒɔ''' “to cut”)
-* **-klen** (used for devices/tools)
+== Compounding ==
-** Example: **dzhaklen** – knife (from **dzha** "cut")
+Valorik makes extensive use of compounding. Compounds are lexical rather than inflectional and follow strict ordering rules.
-=== Compound Words ===
+=== General Rules ===
-Valorik builds new meanings through straightforward compounding, typically **noun + modifier** or **root + root**:
+* Compounds are typically '''head-initial'''.
+* Roots are concatenated directly.
+* No conjunctions or particles are inserted.
-* Order is usually left-to-right, head-first (main idea comes first).
+=== Common Patterns ===
+* noun + modifier
+* root + root
 ; Examples
 :
+* '''d͡ʒɔklɛn''' – cutting-tool
+* '''fiːnənɔzɛɪlə''' – house-on (upper floor / rooftop dwelling)
-* **foorishnuh** – canidae large (foor “canidae” + ish “large”)
+== Sample Derivation Table ==
-* **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) ===
 {| class="wikitable"
-!Base
+! Base !! Meaning !! Diminutive !! Augmentative !! Agent !! Place
-!Meaning
-!Diminutive
-!Augmentative
-!Agent/Doer
-!Place/Location
 |-
-|fenii
+| fɛniː || child || fɛniːniː || fɛniːθɛɪn || fɛniːlɛn || fɛniːnɔ
-|child
-|feniinii
-|feniithaan
-|fenii-len
-|feniinah
 |-
-|menuuthe
+| mɛnuːθə || eat || mɛnuːθɪl || mɛnuːθɛɪn || mɛnuːθəlɛn || mɛnuːθənɔ
-|eat
-|menuuthiil
-|menuuthaan
-|menuuthelan
-|menuuthenah
 |-
-|kaile
+| kɑɪlə || big || kɑɪlɪl || kɑɪləθɛɪn || — || —
-|big
-|kaileil
-|kailethaan
-|
-|
 |}
-=== Typical Compounding Rules ===
+== Usage Notes ==
+* Gender prefixes attach before all other derivation.
-# If the second root starts with a vowel, use a hyphen or glottal stop (optional for clarity).
+* Articles are never compounded.
-# Gender prefixes are always attached at the very start of the compound.
+* Vulgar phonemes (q, χ, qχ) do not occur in derivational morphology.
-# Articles (zeluun, durohn, etc.) are *not* compounded—always separate words.
+* Ancient derivational forms may survive only as fossilized roots.
-; Example
-:
-* **zeluun feniinii** – a little (female) child
-* **dzhaklenfiinanah** – a kitchen (lit. “knife-tool house”)
+== See Also ==
+* Valorik Grammar
+* Valorik Naming Conventions
+* Valorik Honorifics
+* Ancient Valorik
 [[Category:Valorik Language]]
 [[Category:Languages]]