Valorik 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

• zɛl- (feminine), duːr- (masculine), pɛk- (neuter)

Agent (one who does X)

• -ʃɛn or -lɛn (from “one who Xs”)
  • Example: **mɛnuːthəlɛn** – eater (from “to eat”)

Diminutive (smallness or endearment)

• -ɪl or -niː (attached at end)
  • Example: fɛniː – child, fɛniːniː – little child

Augmentative (largeness, greatness)

• -θɛɪn or -kɛɪn (attached at end)
  • Example: kɑɪlə – big, kɑɪləθɛɪn – very big

Place/Location

• -nɔ (place associated with root)
  • Example: fiːnənɔ – house, home (from fiːnə “home”)

Abstract noun (concept, state)

• -ɛθə (attached at end)
  • Example: zɛnvɛθə – year, time (from zɛn- + time root)

Instrument/Tool

• -klɛn (used for devices/tools)
  • Example: d͡ʒɔklɛn – knife (from d͡ʒɔ "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

• fʊɹɪʃnə – canidae large (fʊɹ “canidae” + ɪʃ “large”)
• d͡ʒɔklɛn – cutting tool (d͡ʒɔak “cut” + klɛn “tool”)
• fiːnənɔzɛɪlə – 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
fɛniː	child	fɛniː-iːl	fɛniːθɛɪn	fɛniːlæn	fɛniːnə
mɛnuːθə	eat	mɛnuːθiːl	mɛnuːθɛɪn	mɛnuːθɛlæn	mɛnuːθɛnə
kɑɪl	big	kɑɪliːl	kaileθɛɪn

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 (zɛluːn, duːroʊn, etc.) are not compounded—always separate words.

Example

• zɛluːn fɛniːniː – a little (female) child
• d͡ʒɛklɛnfiːnənə – a kitchen (lit. “knife-tool house”)