Valorik Grammar
Valorik Grammar and Function Words
Word Order and Sentence Structure
Valorik follows a **Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)** structure, similar to English. Adjectives and modifiers always follow the noun.
- Example
ohn fenii kaile the big child
Articles are required before nouns (see Articles), and prepositions precede their objects.
Articles
Valorik uses both **definite** and **indefinite** articles, as well as demonstrative articles (“this,” “that”), and each can be gendered as a prefix.
| Meaning | Feminine | Masculine | Neuter |
|---|---|---|---|
| a/an | zeluun | duuruun | uun |
| the | zelohn | duurohn | ohn |
| this | zeliin | duuriin | iin |
| that | zelaan | duuraan | aan |
- Example usage
- zeluun fenii – a (female) child
- duurohn duurfenii – the (male) boy
- iin pekuh – this (neuter) thing
- zelaan zelkuh – that mature woman
Pronouns
Valorik pronouns are marked for person, number, and inclusivity.
| Person | Singular | Plural (inclusive) | Plural (exclusive) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (I, we) | mê | mû | mûê |
| 2nd (you) | nere | nerezû | |
| 3rd masc. | duur | duurzû | |
| 3rd fem. | zeluh | zeluzû | |
| 3rd neut. | pekuh | pekuzû | |
| reflexive | menem | ||
| indefinite | kunuu |
- Inclusive
- “mû” = we (including listener), “mui” = we (excluding listener)
- Plural
- add “-zû” to singular pronouns
Prepositions
Prepositions always precede their object. Some common prepositions:
- dore – in
- zaaluh – on
- meneth – under
- keruh – with
- delzuh – for
- kaile – by
- kraaduh – from
- zenduh – to
- belnuh – between
- melva – through
- Example
- dore ohn fiina – in the house
Conjunctions
Conjunctions connect phrases, clauses, or words:
- kuh – and
- tsuude – but
- oohde – or
- methe – if
- drelnuh – because
- seshuh – so
Interrogatives
Interrogatives (question words) typically begin a sentence:
- fenuu – who
- tsiinuh – what
- vaaluh – where
- zelvehtuh – when
- menziide – why
- tsuulenuh – how
- Example
- fenuu sevliizuh? – Who speaks?
Tense and Verb Morphology
Valorik verbs use suffixes to indicate tense. The core tenses are:
| Tense | Suffix | Example Root | Full Verb | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | -vuh | menuuthe | menuuthuvuh | (I/you) eat, am eating |
| Past | -duh | menuuthe | menuuthuduh | (I/you) ate, have eaten |
| Future | -guh | menuuthe | menuuthuguh | (I/you) will eat |
Tense is always indicated by attaching the appropriate suffix to the verb root.
- Examples
- mii menuuthuvuh – I eat.
- mii menuuthuduh – I ate.
- mii menuuthuguh – I will eat.
Negation and Questions
The negative particle **nethe** precedes the verb:
- mii nethe menuuthuzuh – I do not eat.
Yes/no questions are marked with the particle **ka** at the end of the sentence:
- nere menuuthuzuh ka? – Do you eat?
Negation
The negative particle **nethe** precedes the verb:
- mii nethe menuuthuzuh – I do not eat.
Questions
Yes/no questions are marked with the particle **ka** at sentence end:
- nere menuuthuzuh ka? – Do you eat?
Additional Grammar Notes
- Adjectives always follow the noun: ohn fenii kaile – the big child
- Articles and pronouns are not obligatory if context is clear, but often used for emphasis or clarity.
- Plurals are often context-based; explicit plural markers (-zuu) can be added to pronouns or nouns for clarity.
Example Sentences
- mii dzhera okii. – I love you.
- zeliin fenii zaaluh – this child is on (something)
- menziide mii melzefuh? – Why did I wait?