Senjecas Word Formation

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5.1 Word Structure – saɱḅőro

  • 5.1.1Senjecas 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; e̋ḍi, edible; eðde̋mo, restaurant; ale̋ḍi, inedible; and e̋ðlu, eater.
  • 5.1.2 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.
  • 5.1.3 A simple word is formed from a single root. A compound word is formed by combining two or more roots.
  • 5.1.4 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.
  • 5.1.5 Other parts of speech formed from a verbal root are called deverbatives, e.g., ásurta̋ima, principality, from asűru, prince, and ta̋ima, region.
  • 5.1.6 There are eight categories of words in Senjecas.
  1. The verb with its derivatives, e.g., ṅa̋xa, defy; ṅa̋xa, defiance; ṅa̋xi, defiant; ṅáxu, nevertheless; ṅáxa, despite; ṅáxi, 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 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., súna, with.
  7. The non-derivative conjunction, e.g., ɱo, or.
  8. The non-derivative interjection, e.g., ɱai̋, woe.
  • 5.1.7 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, bą̋-) a consonant, a vowel(s), and a consonant (CVC, kup-); or a null, a vowel(s), and a consonant (ØVC, em-).
  • 5.1.8 A lengthened triphonetic root can be formed by inserting a non-plosive consonant (N) before the last consonant (CVNC, kerv-; ØVNC, oln-).
  • 5.1.9 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.
  • 5.1.10 To this triphonetic root are added the various prefixes and suffixes to form compound words, e.g., nouns from verbs.
  • 5.1.11 Pronouns, e.g., mu; non-derivative adverbs and postpositions, e.g., íðu; and non-derivative nouns and adjectives, e.g., vőlᵹo, 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.

5.2 Compounding Rules – kaþzı̋los

  • 5.2.1 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., tı̨̋r-a, scrape, + ta̋ino, stone, = tįrta̋ino, scouring stone; őc-i, swift, + őre, hawk = ocǫ̋re, goshawk.
  • 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 consonant, the second element is added to the root, e.g., abe̋l-o, apple + hę̋lo, cider = ábelhę̋lo, apple cider. But remember lenition, e.g., e̋d-a, to eat + pę̋ka, plan = eðpę̋ka, diet.
  • 5.2.3 If the root of the first element ends in two consonants and the second element begins with a consonant, an epenthetic -ɘ- is added for euphony, e.g., rűᵹm-o, cream + tų̋ro, cheese = ruᵹmɘtų̋ro, creamed cheese.
  • 5.2.4 If the root of the first element ends in a double consonant and the second element begins with a vowel, the second is added to the root, e.g., še̋lp-o, sulfur + ą̋go, acid = šelpą̋go, sulfuric acid.
  • 5.2.5 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., hőlv̇-e, swan + hą̋łe, chick = holvıhą̋łe, cygnet.
  • 5.2.6 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., k̬e̋řa, crush + -lo, instrumental suffix = k̬e̋rylo, crusher.

5.3 Denominatives – feþgı̨̋naþos

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

5.3.1 Denominative nouns from simple nouns

  • 5.3.1.1 Many names of animals have only one word for both sexes; these are known as epicene words, e.g., őlce, 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., mőre, horse; urmőre, stallion.
    • To designate a female animal, the prefix is į-, e.g., mőre, horse; įmőre, mare.
suffix denotation root word derived word
-ą̋gu names a person associated with the root noun ɱe̋ino, wine

oną̋ɱo, barge

ɱeiną̋gu, vintner

ónąɱą̋gu, bargeman

-a when added to an inhabitant's name palatalized, signifies the country's name

If the noun ends in a vowel, -ṅa is added.

germa̋nu, German

sefdą̋es, seven-rivers

germa̋ṅa, Germany

sefdą̋ṅa, Sefdaania

-be̋la names the surgical excision of that body part ġődo, stomach ġoðbe̋la, gastrectomy
-cę̋ɱa names an inflammation of that body part ġődo, stomach ġoðcę̋ɱa, gastritis
-de̋mo names the residence of that animal ɱe̋ȝe ɱeide̋mo
-e names an animal characterized by the verb, noun or adjective la̋ci, speckled la̋ce, salmon
-e̋ðlo names a place frequented by that animal arǫ̋de, heron árǫdę̋ðlo, heronry
-e̋ḷe names the young of mammal ną̋ȝe nąȝe̋ḷe
-ı̨̋mo names a solution of what is named in the root noun sa̋lo, salt salı̨̋mo, salt water, brine
-ı̋ȝo forms a collective noun ve̋do, glass vedı̋ȝo, glassware
-k- forms diminutives of or terms of endearment for the noun ką̋ɱe, eagle owl ką̋ɱke, Scops owl
-mę̋lo names the instrument that measures what is named in the root noun te̋na, time tenmę̋lo, clock
-me̋xa names the country when added to the name of the inhabitant belgu, Belgian belgɘme̋xa, Belgium
–ru names the inhabitant of the place named in the root noun ángelme̋xa, England ángelme̋xru, Englishman
-są̋ra names the science, theory or study of what is named in the root noun ṅa̋ru, human ṅarsa̋ra, anthropology
-ta names the state, quality, or condition of being what is named in the root noun: -ty, -ness, -tude, -hood, etc. mą̋ma, mother mą̋mta, motherhood
-te̋mlu names a person who works with the metal named in the root noun ha̋lo, gold halte̋mlu
-vę̋lu names a person in charge of what is named in the root noun ða̋mu, family ðamvę̋lu, head of the family
–ƶ- augments the meaning of the root noun ą̋þe, fire ą̋þƶe, conflagration

5.3.2 Denominative nouns from simple adjectives

suffix denotation root word derived word
-ı̋ȝo added to cardinal numerals signifies inanimate nouns of quantity rűþ, six ruþı̋ȝo, hexad
-ı̋ȝu added to cardinal numerals signifies animate nouns of quantity rűþ, six ruþı̋ȝu, sextet
-o signifies a concrete noun related to the root adjective hı̋þi, infirm hı̋þo, infirmity
-ta signifies the state, quality, or condition of being what is named in the root adjective: -ty, -ness, -tude re̋uði, red re̋uðta, redness
-u signifies a person possessing the quality named in the root adjective ma̋ᵹi, young ma̋ᵹu, youth

5.3.3 Denominative adjectives from nouns

suffix denotation root word derived word
-i signifies the existence of or a relationship to what is named in the root noun: -(e)y, -(e)d e̋lo, stripe e̋li, striped
-m- signifies the possession of the physical attribute named in the root noun pą̋do, pouch pą̋ðme, marsupial
-ɱ- signifies pertaining to, connected with, belonging to, of the nature of, or characteristic of what is named in the root noun bą̋ve, cat bą̋vɱi, feline
-n- signifies similarity, likeness or resemblance to what is named in the root noun: -ish, -like bą̋ve, cat bą̋vni, like a cat
-on- added to the palatalized root, signifies made of the material named in the root noun taga̋ro, tin tágaṙőni, made of tin
-r- signifies being full of what is named in the root noun: -ful űþa, (good) luck, fortune űþri, lucky, fortunate
-ṡǫ̋m- signifies imperviousness to or the ability to resist or withstand what is named in the root noun: -proof, -tight hűro, water hurṡǫ̋mi, waterproof, watertight
–zin- signifies having the shape or form of what is named in the root noun ɱe̋ho, wedge ɱehzı̋ni, wedge-shaped, cuneiform

5.3.4 Denominative adjectives from adjectives

suffix denotation root word derived word
-ti forms ordinal numbers from cardinal numbers se̋m, one se̋mti, first
  • 5.3.4.1 Changing the final consonant to a labial consonant forms an adjective that signifies somewhat or rather, -ish, e.g., kǫ̋xi, blue; kǫ̋x̌i, bluish.

5.3.5 Denominative adverbs from nouns

suffix denotation root word derived word
-vi forms adverbs that express a multiple of a quantity: by the..., in the... za̋lo, dozen

ṭűmo, thousand

za̋lvi, by the dozen

ṭúmvi, in the thousands

5.3.6 Denominative adverbs from adjectives

suffix denotation root word derived word
-vi forms adverbs from adjectives xa̋li, tardy xa̋lvi, tardily

5.4 Deverbatives

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

5.4.1 Deverbative nouns from verbs

suffix denotation root word derived word
-a signifies an abstract noun derived from the root verb: -ment, -ness, -tion, -tude, -ty mőca, betray mőca, betrayal
-aþu signifies the recipient of the action expressed in the root verb. Note that the primary pitch remains on the root vowel.

This is, in fact, the patient participle used as a noun.

kőla, imprison kőlaþu, prisoner
-da̋ro signifies the place where the action of the root verb occurs: -ery sa̋a, buy sada̋ro, marketplace
-de̋mo signifies a building where the action of the root verb occurs kőla, imprison kolde̋mo, prison
-e signifies an animal that is characterized by the action of the root verb ga̋ɱa, to caw ga̋ɱe, crow
-lo signifies a tool that performs the action of the root verb le̋uka, to light le̋uxlo, lamp
-lu signifies the agent who performs the action of the root verb de̋ma, build de̋mlu, builder
-o signifies a concrete noun related to the action of the root verb lą̋ua, earn lą̋uo, wages
- t̬i signifies a medicine or other substance used to perform the action of the root verb ba̋na, to wash ba̋nt̬i, soap

5.4.2 Deverbative adjectives from verbs

suffix denotation root word derived word
–(ɘ)s- signifies a tendency toward or inclination to perform the action of the root verb da̋ba, attract da̋vsi, attractive
–i- added to the palatalized root signifies the capability of the performance of the action of the root verb.

If the verb ends in a vowel, an epenthetic <ȝ> is inserted.

a̋iða, to burn

mę̋a, to measure

a̋ið̣i, combustible

mę̋ȝi, measurable

5.5 Prefix formations

suffix denotation root word derived word
aþ- forms the patro(matro-)nymic. As a proclitic, it is linked with a hyphen. te̋mlu, smith aþ-te̋mlu, son/daughter of the smith
al- negates a word a̋ċi, movable ala̋ċi, immobile
ðęs- gives to words a spiritual or religious meaning mą̋ma, mother ðęsmą̋ma, abbess
kąl- signifies a darker shade of a color ða̋li, green kąlða̋li, dark green
łen- signifies to an excessive degree ᵹą̋va, hold łenᵹa̋va, hold on
łįð- signifies a lighter shade of a color vı̋mi, orange łįðvı̋mi, light orange
mel- signifies a darker shade of a color, darker than kąl- ða̋li, green melða̋li, deep green
ɱi- signifies the conversive of a verb

If the verb begins with a vowel, -ɱ̇- is the prefix.

ȝűga, harness i

őuta

ɱiȝűga, unharness

ɱ̇őuta, undress

pel- signifies a lighter shade of a color, lighter than łįð- xűli, yellow pelxűli, pale yellow
v- (f-) with vowel harmony signifies without, not having: -less ı̋ca, hope

da̋ri, tree

ka̋ba, guile

vı̋ca, despair

vıda̋ri, treeless

fıka̋bi, guileless

5.4 Deverbatives

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

5.4.1 Deverbative nouns from verbs

  • 5.4.1.1 The suffix -a added to a verb signifies an abstract noun derived from the verb, -ment, -ness, -tion, -tude, -ty, e.g., mőca, betray; mőca, betrayal.
  • 5.4.1.2 The suffix -aþu added to a verb signifies 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.
  • 5.4.1.3 The suffix -da̋ro added to a verb signifies the place where the action of the verb occurs, -ery, e.g., sa̋a, buy; sada̋ro, marketplace.
  • 5.4.1.4 The suffix -de̋mo added to a verb signifies a building where the action of the verb occurs, e.g., kőla, imprison; kolde̋mo, prison.
  • 5.4.1.5 The suffix -e added to a verb signifies an animal that is characterized by the action of the verb, e.g., ga̋ɱa, to caw; ga̋ɱe, crow.
  • 5.4.1.6 The suffix –lo forms inanimate instrumental nouns from verbs, e.g., le̋uka, to light; le̋uxlo, lamp.
  • 5.4.1.7 The suffix -lu forms agent nouns from verbs, e.g., de̋ma, build; de̋mlu, builder.
  • 5.4.1.8 The suffix -o added to a verb forms a concrete noun related to the action of the verb, e.g., lą̋ua, to earn; lą̋uo, wages.
  • 5.4.1.9 The suffix -t̬i added to a verb names a medicine or other substance used to perform the action expressed by the verb, e.g., ba̋na, to wash; ba̋nt̬i, soap.

5.4.2 Deverbative adjectives from verbs

  • 5.4.2.1 The suffix –(ɘ)s- added to a verb signifies having a tendency toward or inclination to perform the action expressed in the verb, e.g., da̋ba, attract; da̋vsi, attractive.
  • 5.4.2.2 The suffix -i, added to the palatalized root of the verb, indicates the capability of the action expressed in the verb to be performed, e.g., a̋iða, to burn; a̋ið̣i, combustible. If the root ends in a vowel, an epenthetic <ȝ> is inserted, e.g., mę̋a, to measure; mę̋ȝi, measurable. Note that this forms a "passive" adjective: "able to BE burned", not "able to burn”.

5.5 Prefix formations

  • 5.5.1 The prefix al- negates a word, e.g., a̋ċi, movable; ala̋ċi, immobile.
  • 5.5.2 The prefix ðęs- gives to words a spiritual or religious meaning, e.g., mą̋ma, mother, ðęsmą̋ma, abbess.
  • 5.5.3 The prefix kąl- added to words for color signifies a darker shade, e.g., ða̋li, green; kąlða̋li, dark green.
  • 5.5.4 The prefix łen- added to a verb expresses to an excessive degree, e.g., ᵹą̋va, hold; łenᵹa̋va, hold on.
  • 5.5.5 The prefix łįð- added to words for color indicates a lighter shade, e.g., vı̋mi, orange, łįðvı̋mi, light orange.
  • 5.5.6 The prefix mel- added to words for color indicates a darker shade, darker than kąl-, e.g., ða̋li, green; melða̋li, dark green.
  • 5.5.7 The prefix ɱi- (ɱ̇ before a vowel) added to a verb forms the conversive, e.g., ȝűga, harness; ɱiȝűga, unharness; őuta, dress; ɱ̇őuta, undress.
  • 5.5.8 The prefix pel- added to words of color indicates a lighter shade, lighter than łįð-, e.g., xűli, yellow; pelxűli, pale yellow.
  • 5.5.9 The prefix v- affixed to nouns or adjectives indicates without, not having, 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.