Senjecas Word Formation

Part IV - WORD FORMATION – pűlo ɱ – saɱzı̋na

• Senjecas has a well-developed system of word formation in which roots are modified by various prefixes and suffixes to form new words. For example, the root ed- may give e̋da, eat; e̋do, food; e̋dÿi, edible; eðde̋mo, restaurant; ale̋dÿi, inedible; and e̋ðlu, eater.

Word Structure – saɱbÿőro

• 5.1.1 A root is that part of a word which remains after its formative elements are removed. It gives the meaning or abstract idea apart from its relations. It is not necessarily a monosyllable.

• 5.1.2 A simple word is formed from a single root. A compound word is formed by combining two or more roots.

• 5.1.3 The verb is the most important part of speech in Senjecas. A major part of the Senjecan vocabulary is derived from verbs. To the verbal root are added prefixes and suffixes to form other words, such as nouns and adjectives, e.g., műsa, steam; műso, steam; műsi, steamy. In many modern languages, including English, this example would seem to be that of a noun which has given rise to a verb. It is not understood that way in Senjecas. Words that are not derived from verbs are known as non-derivative words.

• 5.1.4 Other parts of speech formed from a verbal root are called deverbatives, e.g., ásurta̋ima, principality, from asűru, prince, and ta̋ima, region.

• 5.1.5 There are eight categories of words in Senjecas.

1. The verb with its derivatives, e.g., nÿa̋xa, defy; nÿa̋xa, defiance; nÿa̋xi, defiant; nÿáxu, nevertheless; nÿáxa, despite; nÿáxi, although.
2. The non-derivative noun with its derivatives, e.g., pőno, metal; poną̋gu, metalworker; pőni, metallic.
3. The non-derivative adjective with its derivatives, e.g., mą̋ni, wet; mą̋nta, wetness. Any non-derivative adjective can be used as a stative verb, mu mą̋na, I am wet.
4. The non-derivative adverb with its derivatives, e.g., méti, adv. at the same time; méta, postp. at the same time as; métu, cnj. at the same time that.
5. The non-derivative pronoun, e.g., mu, I.
6. The non-derivative postposition, e.g., sána, without.
7. The non-derivative conjunction, e.g., ɱo, or.
8. The non-derivative interjection, e.g., ɱai̋, woe.

• 5.1.6 The basic form of the Senjecan verb is called the triphonetic root. In its simplest form, it consists of a vowel (ØVØ, o-); a consonant and a vowel (CVØ, bą-); a consonant, a vowel(s), and a consonant (CVC, kup-); or a null, a vowel(s), and a consonant (ØVC, em-).

• 5.1.7 A lengthened triphonetic root can be formed by inserting a non-plosive consonant (N) before the last consonant (CVNC, lemb-; ØVNC, a̋st-).

• 5.1.8 Compound verbs may be formed by adding a proclitic element to the triphonetic root, e.g., pu-a̋ta, return. These proclitic elements may be any part of speech. As with enclitics, the proclitic element is intoned on the basal pitch.

• 5.1.9 To this triphonetic root are added the various prefixes and suffixes to form compound words, e.g., nouns from verbs.

• 5.1.10 Pronouns, e.g., mu, I; non-derivative adverbs and postpositions, e.g., íðu, here; and non-derivative nouns and adjectives, e.g., rı̨̋so, tooth, have their own forms independent of any triphonetic root. To these also may be added the various prefixes and suffixes to form other parts of speech, e.g., fırı̨̋si, toothless.

Compounding Rules – kaþzı̋los

• 5.2.1 Compound words are very common in Senjecas. They are formed where other languages might use noun modifiers, e.g., ga̋þa, pick berries + da̋ro, place = gaþda̋ro, berry patch.
• 5.2.2 If the first element in the compound word ends in a single consonant and the initial letter of the second element is a vowel, the second element is added to the root of the first element, e.g., tı̨̋ra, scrape, + ta̋ino, stone, = tįrta̋ino, scouring stone; őci, swift, + őre, hawk = ocőre, goshawk.

• 5.2.3 If the first element in the compound word ends in a single consonant and the initial letter of the second element is a consonant, the second element is added to the root, e.g., abe̋lo, apple + hę̋lo, cider = ábelhę̋lo, apple cider. But remember lenition, e.g., e̋da, eat + ȝa̋ra, plan = eðȝa̋ra, diet.

• 5.2.4 If the root of the first element in the compound word ends in two consonants and the second element begins with a vowel, the second is added to the root, e.g., dőþo, money, + ų̋ra, craft = doþų̋ra, coinage.

• 5.2.5 If the root of the first element in the compound word ends in two consonants and the second element begins with a consonant, an epenthetic <ε> is added for euphony, e.g., a̋lvi, barley + ȝǫ̋uso, broth = alvɛȝǫ̋uso, barley broth.

• 5.2.6 If the first element in the compound word ends with a palatalized consonant, the palatal indicator is changed into the short vowel known as nı̋þi (weak i), e.g., hőlvÿe, swan + hą̋ɫe, chick = holvıhą̋ɫe, cygnet.

• 5.2.7 If the first element in the compound word ends with a labialized consonant and the second element begins with a consonant the labial indicator is changed into the short vowel known as nı̋þu (weak u), e.g., alüa, brew + de̋mo, building = alyde̋mo, brewery.

Denominatives - feþgı̨̋naþos

• Denominative words are compound words built on the root of a noun.

Denominative nouns from simple nouns

• 5.3.1.1 Most of the names of animals have only one word for both sexes; these are known as epicene words, e.g., ve̋vre , moose. In order to designate the sex of epicene words, a prefix is added.

To designate a male animal, the prefix is ur-, e.g., ur-ve̋vre, male beaver.

To designate a female animal, the prefix is į-, e.g., į-ve̋vre, female beaver.

• 5.3.1.2 -ą̋gu combined with a noun forms a noun denoting a profession or occupation, e.g., ɱe̋ino, wine; ɱeiną̋gu, vintner; oną̋ɱo, barge; ónąɱą̋gu, bargeman.

• 5.3.1.3 aþ- combined with a noun forms a noun denoting the patronymic, e.g., aþ-zɵ̋ðlu, son/daughter of the farmer.

• 5.3.1.4 -be̋la combined with the name of a body part forms a noun denoting the surgical excision of that part, e.g., ġődo, stomach; ġoðbe̋la, gastrectomy.

• 5.3.1.5 -cę̋ɱa combined with the name of a body part forms a noun denoting an inflammation of that part, e.g., gÿődo, stomach; gÿoðcę̋ɱa, gastritis.

• 5.3.1.6 -de̋mo combined with an animal name forms a noun denoting the residence of that animal, e.g., ɱe̋ȝe, bird; ɱeide̋mo, aviary.

• 5.3.1.7 –e combined with a noun forms a noun denoting animals that are characterized by what is named in the noun, e.g., sę̋fa, grasp + na̋so, nose = sęfna̋se, tapir.

• 5.3.1.8 -e̋ðlo combined with the name of an animal forms a noun denoting a place frequented by that animal, e.g., arǫ̋de, heron; árǫdę̋ðlo, heronry.

• 5.3.1.9 -e̋lÿe combined with the name of a mammal forms a noun denoting the young of that mammal, e.g., ną̋ȝe, dog; nąȝe̋lÿe, puppy.

• 5.3.1.10 -ı̨̋mo combined with a noun forms a noun denoting a solution of what is named in the noun, e.g., sa̋lo, salt; salı̨̋mo, salt water, brine.

• 5.3.1.11 -ı̋ȝo combined with a noun forms a collective noun, e.g., ve̋do, glass; vedı̋ȝo, glassware; lą̋ne, red deer; ląnı̋ȝo, herd of red deer.

• 5.3.1.12 -k- combined with a noun forms a noun denoting a diminutive of or a term of endearment for the noun. Because this suffix is an enclitic, the primary intonation remains on the original syllable of the root word, e.g., ką̋ɱe, eagle owl; ką̋ɱke, Scops owl.

• 5.3.1.13 -mę̋lo combined with a noun forms a noun denoting the instrument that measures what is named in the noun, e.g., te̋na, time; tenmę̋lo, clock.

• 5.3.1.14 -są̋ra combined with a noun forms a noun denoting the science, theory or study of what is named in the noun, -ology, e.g., nÿa̋ru, human; nÿarsa̋ra, anthropology.

• 5.3.1.15 -ta combined with a noun forms a noun denoting the state, quality, or condition of being what is named in the verb or noun, -ty, -ness, -tude, -hood, e.g., mą̋ma, mother; mą̋mta, motherhood.

• 5.3.1.16 -þűslu combined with a noun forms a noun denoting a person who works with the metal named in the noun, e.g., ha̋lo, gold; halþűslu, goldsmith.

• 5.3.1.17 -vę̋lu combined with a noun forms a noun denoting the person in charge of what is named in the noun, e.g., ða̋mu, family; ðamvę̋lu, head of the family.

• 5.3.1.18 –ᵶ- combined with a noun augments the meaning of the noun, e.g., ą̋þe, fire; ą̋þᵶe, conflagration.

Denominative nouns from simple adjectives

• 5.3.2.1 -e combined with an adjective forms a noun denoting animals that are characterized by what is named in the adjective, e.g., la̋ci, speckled; la̋ce, salmon.

• 5.3.2.2 -ı̋ȝo combined with a cardinal number forms a noun denoting inanimate nouns of quantity, e.g., rűþ, six; ruþı̋ȝo, hexad.

• 5.3.2.3 -ı̋ȝu combined with a cardinal number forms a noun denoting animate nouns of quantity, e.g., rűþ, six; ruþı̋ȝu, sextet.

• 5.3.2.4 -o combined with an adjective forms a noun denoting a noun related to the adjective, e.g., hı̋þi, infirm; hı̋þo, physical infirmity.

• 5.3.2.5 -ta combined with an adjective forms a noun denoting the state, quality, or condition of being what is named in the adjective, -ty, -ness, -tude, e.g., re̋uði, red; re̋uðta, redness.

• 5.3.2.6 -u combined with an adjective forms a noun denoting a person possessing the quality named in the adjective root, e.g., ma̋ᵹi, young; ma̋ᵹu, youth.

Denominative adjectives from nouns

• 5.3.3.1 -i combined with a noun forms an adjective denoting the existence of or a relationship to what is named in the noun root, -(e)y, -(e)d, e.g., e̋lo, stripe; e̋li, striped.

• 5.3.3.2 –m- combined with a noun forms an adjective denoting the possession of the physical attribute named in the noun root, -(e)y, -(e)d, e.g., pą̋do, pouch; pą̋ðme, marsupial. It is used in words where, in English, the –ed form would be used, e.g., főrmi, winged.

• 5.3.3.3 -ɱ- combined with a noun forms an adjective denoting pertaining to, connected with, belonging to, of the nature of, or characteristic of what is named in the noun root, e.g., bą̋ve, cat; bą̋vɱi, feline, catlike. (cf. 5.3.3.4)

• 5.3.3.4 –n- combined with a noun forms an adjective denoting similarity, likeness or resemblance to what is named in the noun root, -ish, -like, e.g., bą̋ve, cat; bą̋vni, like a cat. (cf. 5.3.3.3)

• 5.3.3.5 –on- combined with a palatalized noun forms an adjective denoting made of the material named in the noun, e.g., taga̋ro, tin; tágarÿőni, made of tin, stannic.

• 5.3.3.6 –r- combined with a noun forms an adjective denoting being full of what is named in the noun, -ful, e.g., űþa, (good) luck, fortune; űþri, lucky, fortunate.

• 5.3.3.7 -sÿǫ̋m- combined with a noun forms an adjective denoting imperviousness to or the ability to resist or withstand what is named in the noun, -proof, -tight, e.g., hűro, water; hursÿǫ̋mi, waterproof, watertight.

• 5.3.3.8 –zin- combined with a noun forms an adjective denoting having the shape or form of what is named in the noun, e.g., ɱe̋ho, wedge; ɱehzı̋ni, wedge-shaped.

Denominative adjectives from adjectives

• 5.3.4.1 –ti combined with a cardinal number forms an ordinal number, e.g., se̋m, one; se̋mti, first.

• 5.3.4.2 –Vski combined with an adjective forms and adjective denoting somewhat or rather, -ish, e.g., ða̋li, blue; ðala̋ski, bluish. The V is the vowel of the adjectival root, although length is not repeated, e.g., kǫ̋xi, blue; kǫxőski, bluish.

Denominative adverbs from nouns

• 5.3.5.1 –vi combined with a noun or numeral forms an adverb denoting a multiple of a quantity, by the..., in the..., e.g., za̋lo, dozen; zálvi, by the dozen; tÿűmo, thousand; tÿúmvi, in the thousands.

Denominative adverbs from adjectives

• 5.3.6.1 –vi combined with an adjective forms an adverb, e.g., xa̋li, tardy; xa̋lvi, tardily.

Deverbatives - kąþgı̨̋naþos

• Deverbative words are compound words built on the root of a verb.

Deverbative nouns from verbs

• 5.4.1.1 -aþu combined with a verb forms a noun denoting the recipient of the action expressed in the verb, e.g., kőla, imprison; kőlaþu, prisoner. Note that the primary pitch remains on the root vowel. This is, in fact, the patient participle used as a noun.

• 5.4.1.2 -da̋ro combined with a verb forms a noun denoting the place where the action of the verb occurs, -ery, e.g., sa̋a, buy; sada̋ro, marketplace.

• 5.4.1.3 -de̋mo combined with a verb forms a noun denoting a building where the action of the verb occurs, e.g., kőla, imprison; kolde̋mo, prison.

• 5.4.1.4 -e combined with a verb forms a noun denoting an animal that is characterized by the action of the verb, e.g., ga̋ɱa, to caw; ga̋ɱe, crow.

• 5.4.1.5 –lo combined with a verb forms a noun of instrument, e.g., le̋uka, to light; le̋uxlo, lamp.

• 5.4.1.6 -lu combined with a verb forms a noun of agent, e.g., de̋ma, build; de̋mlu, builder.

• 5.4.1.7 -o combined with a verb forms a concrete noun related to the action of the verb, e.g., lą̋ua, to earn; lą̋uo, wages.

• 5.4.1.8 -ra combined with a verb forms an abstract noun, -ment, -ness, -tion, -tude, -ty, e.g., mőca, betray; mősra, betrayal.

• 5.4.1.9 -t̬i combined with a verb forms a noun denoting a medicine or other substance used to perform the action expressed by the verb, e.g., ba̋na, to wash; ba̋ntüi, soap.

Deverbative adjectives from verbs

• 5.4.2.1 –(ε)s- combined with a verb forms an adjective denoting having a tendency toward or inclination to perform the action expressed in the verb, e.g., da̋ba, attract; da̋vsi, attractive.

• 5.4.2.2 -i combined with a palatalized verb root forms an adjective denoting having the capability of performing the action expressed in the verb, e.g., a̋iða, to burn; a̋iðÿi, combustible. If the root ends in a vowel, an epenthetic <ȝ> is inserted, e.g., mę̋a, to measure; mę̋ȝi, measurable.

Prefix formations

• 5.5.1 al- combined with a adjective negates the adjective, e.g., a̋cÿi, movable; ala̋cÿi, immobile.

• 5.5.2 ðęs- combined with a verb forms a word with a spiritual or religious meaning, e.g., mą̋ma, mother, ðęsmą̋ma, abbess.

• 5.5.3 kąl- combined with an adjective of color denotes a darker shade, e.g., ða̋li, green; kąlða̋li, dark green.

• 5.5.4 ɫen- combined with a verb forms a word denoting to an excessive degree, e.g., ᵹą̋va, hold; ɫenᵹa̋va, hold on.

• 5.5.5 ɫįð- combined with an adjective of color denotes a lighter shade, e.g., vı̋mi, orange, ɫįðvı̋mi, light orange.

• 5.5.6 mel- combined with an adjective of color to denotes a darker shade, darker than kąl-, e.g., ða̋li, green; melða̋li, dark green.

• 5.5.7 ɱi- (ɱÿ before a vowel) combined with a verb forms the conversive, e.g., ȝűga, harness; ɱiȝűga, unharness; őuta, dress; ɱÿőuta, undress.

• 5.5.8 pel- combined with a verb denotes a lighter shade, lighter than ɫįð-, e.g., xűli, yellow; pelxűli, pale yellow.

• 5.5.9 v- combined with a noun or adjective denotes a lack of something, -less, e.g., ı̋ca, hope; vı̋ca, despair. If the word begins with a consonant, the prefix is joined by a weak vowel, considering vowel harmony, e.g., da̋ri, tree; vıda̋ri, treeless. If the word begins with a voiceless consonant the prefix is f-, e.g., ka̋ba, guile; fıka̋bi, guileless.

Formation of geographic names

• There are three ways to form the name of a country.

• 5.6.1 The name of the country is respelled according to Senjecan phonetics, e.g., Andorra, andőra; Brazil, bárazı̋la; Taiwan, táȝua̋na.

• 5.6.2 The palatalization of the final consonant + -a is appended to a noun to create a noun denoting a country named from its inhabitants, e.g., germa̋nu, German; germa̋nÿa, Germany; pastűnu, Pashtun; pastűnÿa, Afghanistan; ange̋lu, Angle; ange̋lÿa, England. If the noun ends in a vowel, -nÿa is added, e.g., sefdą̋es, seven rivers; sefdą̋nÿa, Sefdaania.

• 5.6.3 The Senjecan name is a calque of the native name, e.g., the Netherlands, níterną̋las.

• 5.6.4 –ru combined with a place name (formed according to 5.6.1) forms a noun denoting an inhabitant of that place, e.g., Brazilian, bárazı̋lru; Israeli, ȝísrae̋lru; Monegasque, monőixru.

• 5.6.5 -ɱ- combined with the inhabitant's name forms the adjective, e.g., germa̋nu, germa̋nɱi; ámerı̋ka, ámerı̋xɱi.