Recombining Language Segments Flashcards

In Kelvor, verb forms are built from: [aspect prefix] + [verb root] + [tense suffix] + [subject suffix]. Aspect prefix: 'ta-' (completed). Root: 'vel' (run). Tense suffix: '-ok' (past). Subject suffix: '-as' (I). What is 'I completed running (past)'?

Answer: Ta-vel-ok-as

Aspect + root + tense + subject: 'ta' + 'vel' + '-ok' + '-as' = 'ta-vel-ok-as.'

Trelkan morphemes: 'Prenu' (noun: fire), '-al' (adjective marker), 'Bren' (root: bright), '-vel' (verb suffix: burns). To say 'The bright fire burns': adjective precedes noun, verb follows. Construct the sentence.

Answer: Bren-al prenu prenu-vel.

Adjective 'bren-al' precedes noun 'prenu', then verb is root+noun suffix: 'prenu-vel'. = 'Bren-al prenu prenu-vel.'

In Helovari, negation is formed by: (1) removing the final vowel of the verb if it ends in one, (2) adding prefix 'un-'. Verb 'talo' (sing) → negate → ?

Answer: Untal

Remove final vowel 'o' from 'talo' → 'tal'; add 'un-' → 'untal.'

In Bruntic, causative constructions are formed by: verb root + '-ek-' + agent suffix '-as' (I cause) or '-os' (he causes). 'Vel' (run). How do you say 'I cause him to run'?

Answer: Vel-ek-as

Causative: verb root + '-ek-' + agent. I cause = '-as': 'vel-ek-as.'

Invented language morpheme rules: prefix 'ka-' = definite article. Suffix '-ul' = plural. Verb marker '-vel' follows noun. To say 'The horses run': 'nalu' = horse. Build the sentence.

Answer: Ka-nalu-ul vel.

Definite (ka-) + noun (nalu) + plural (-ul) = 'ka-nalu-ul'; then verb 'vel' = 'Ka-nalu-ul vel.'

In Norvik, a question is formed by: (1) move subject to end, (2) add question particle 'ke' before subject. Statement: 'Talu vel mako.' (Woman runs forest.) Question: ?

Answer: Vel mako ke talu?

Move subject 'talu' to end; insert 'ke' before it: 'Vel mako ke talu?'