Qasunattuuji: Difference between revisions

From Linguifex
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Small fix to the example declination table (yet to be filled))
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(62 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{construction}}
{{Infobox language
{{Infobox language
|image            =  
|image            =  
Line 127: Line 126:
[ŋ] can only come at the beginning of a medial syllable after another [ŋ]. <br>
[ŋ] can only come at the beginning of a medial syllable after another [ŋ]. <br>
If there is a long and a short vowel in sequence, and vice versa, for example [aːi], an epenthetic [ŋ] appears to break this hiatus, in this case, becoming [aːŋi]. <br>
If there is a long and a short vowel in sequence, and vice versa, for example [aːi], an epenthetic [ŋ] appears to break this hiatus, in this case, becoming [aːŋi]. <br>
[t] and [b] become [ʐ] and [v], respectively between vowels (assibilation). <br>
[t] and [p] become [ʐ] and [v], respectively, between vowels (assibilation). <br>
[k], [q] and [t] become [ŋ], [ʁ] and [n], respectively, before [n] <br>
[k], [q] and [t] become [ŋ], [ʁ] and [n], respectively, before [n] <br>
Consonants can be geminated, but in this case, they should be pronounced as if there were two of them.
Consonants can be geminated, but in this case, they should be pronounced as if there were two of them.
Line 172: Line 171:
| [[w:X|X]], x || [[w:Sha (Cyrillic)|Ш]], ш|| [[w:Voiceless retroflex fricative|/ʂ/]]
| [[w:X|X]], x || [[w:Sha (Cyrillic)|Ш]], ш|| [[w:Voiceless retroflex fricative|/ʂ/]]
|-
|-
| [[w:Y|Y]], y || [[w:Short I (Cyrillic)|Й]] || [[w:Voiced palatal approximant|/j/]]
| [[w:Y|Y]], y || [[w:Short I (Cyrillic)|Й]], й|| [[w:Voiced palatal approximant|/j/]]
|-
|-
|}
|}
Line 220: Line 219:
|-
|-
|  '''Perlative'''  
|  '''Perlative'''  
| ÷hapi / -pi
| ÷havi / -pi
| ÷it¹ / -t
| ÷it¹ / -t
| ÷pix²
| ÷pix²
Line 229: Line 228:
| ÷six²
| ÷six²
|}
|}
Notes:
Notes:
Notes:
*÷: if the root ends in a consonant, remove it.
*÷: if the root ends in a consonant, remove it.
*¹: if the root ends in a consonant, remove both it and the vowel before it, except in monosyllabic words, in which case the suffix goes after the consonant.  
*¹: if the root ends in a consonant, remove both it and the vowel before it, except in monosyllabic words, in which case the suffix goes after the consonant.  
*²: if the root ends with the suffix's first consonant, the suffix is applied in its totality, without removing consonants.
*²: if the root ends with the suffix's first consonant, the suffix is applied in its totality, without removing consonants.
* If there are two forms, the second is used if the root ends in a vowel.
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="8" |Example: mihat (mother)
! colspan="8" |Example: mihat (mother)
Line 243: Line 242:
|-
|-
|  '''Absolutive'''
|  '''Absolutive'''
|  
| mihat
|  
| miha'''ju'''
|  
| mih'''ix'''
|-
|  '''Ergative'''
| miha'''huu'''
| miha'''juh'''
| mih'''ixi'''
|-
|  '''Instrumental'''
| miha'''hak'''
| miha'''kat'''
| miha'''kix'''
|-
|  '''Allative'''
| miha'''hi'''
| miha'''hit'''
| miha'''him'''
|-
|  '''Ablative'''
| miha'''hahip'''
| miha'''huut'''
| miha'''hum'''
|-
|  '''Locative'''
| miha'''haqi'''
| miha'''haqu'''
| miha'''qix'''
|-
|  '''Perlative'''
| miha'''vi'''
| mih'''it'''
| miha'''vix'''
|-
|  '''Similative'''
| miha'''si'''
| miha'''sit'''
| miha'''six'''
|}
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="8" |Example: puulu (son)
|-
!
! {{center|Singular}}
! {{center|Dual}}
! {{center|Plural}}
|-
|  '''Absolutive'''
| puulu
| puulu'''ju'''
| puulu'''mix'''
|-
|-
|  '''Ergative'''
|  '''Ergative'''
|  
| puulu'''huu'''
|  
| puulu'''juh'''
|  
| puulu'''mixi'''
|-
|-
|  '''Instrumental'''  
|  '''Instrumental'''  
|  
| puulu'''k'''
|  
| puulu'''juk'''
|  
| puulu'''kix'''
|-
|-
|  '''Allative'''  
|  '''Allative'''  
|  
| puulu'''hi'''
|  
| puulu'''hit'''
|  
| puulu'''him'''
|-
|-
|  '''Ablative'''  
|  '''Ablative'''  
|  
| puulu'''hip'''
|  
| puulu'''huut'''
|  
| puulu'''hum'''
|-
|-
|  '''Locative'''  
|  '''Locative'''  
|  
| puulu'''qi'''
|  
| puulu'''qu'''
|  
| puulu'''qix'''
|-
|-
|  '''Perlative'''  
|  '''Perlative'''  
|  
| puulu'''vi'''
|  
| puulu'''t'''
|  
| puulu'''vix'''
|-
|-
|  '''Similative'''  
|  '''Similative'''  
|  
| puulu'''si'''
|  
| puulu'''sit'''
|  
| puulu'''six'''
|}
|}
====Ergative====
====Ergative====
Line 322: Line 369:
|+
|+
<!-- Sentence -->
<!-- Sentence -->
| colspan="8"| '''vijunipisigik {{red|qayipi?}}'''  
| colspan="8"| '''vijunivisigik {{red|qayivi?}}'''  
|-
|-
<!-- Pronunciation-->
<!-- Pronunciation-->
| colspan="8"| /viʐuniˈsiʁik qaˈjipi/
| colspan="8"| /viʐuniˈsiʁik qaˈjivi/
|-
|-
<!-- Morphemes-->
<!-- Morphemes-->
Line 332: Line 379:
|<small>-pisigik</small>
|<small>-pisigik</small>
|<small>qayi-</small>
|<small>qayi-</small>
|<small>-pi</small>
|<small>-vi</small>
|-
|-
<!-- Gloss-->
<!-- Gloss-->
Line 371: Line 418:
====Derivation and structure====
====Derivation and structure====
The morpheme ''ti'' is suffixed to the verbs in order to indicate the agent: pi (hunt) → pi'''ji''' (hunter).<br>
The morpheme ''ti'' is suffixed to the verbs in order to indicate the agent: pi (hunt) → pi'''ji''' (hunter).<br>
The suffix ''-miq'' transforms a verb into an instrument to do so: sayu (sew) → sayu'''miq''' (sewing machine).<br>
The suffix ''-un'' transforms a verb into an instrument to do so: sayu (sew) → sayu'''un''' (sewing machine).<br>
The suffix ''-(ŋ)ilu'' indicates the diminutive: viin (woman) → vin'''ilu''' (ggirl).<br>
The suffix ''-(ŋ)il'' indicates the diminutive: viin (woman) → viin'''ilu''' (ggirl).<br>
The suffix ''-ppak'' creates a noun that in theory is bigger than the primitive: ixav (caribou) → ixa'''ppak''' (horse).<br>
The suffix ''-ppak'' creates a noun that in theory is bigger than the primitive: ixav (caribou) → ixa'''ppak''' (horse).<br>
There are also suffixes for quantities, such as ''hayaat'' (many) or ''payaak'' (each).
There are also suffixes for quantities, such as ''hayaat'' (many) or ''payaak'' (each).
Line 381: Line 428:


===Verbs===
===Verbs===
:''See also: [[Qasunattuuji verbs]].''
Every verb has an obligatory inflection for person, number, and mood (all marked by a single suffix), and can have other inflectional suffixes such as tense, aspect, modality, and various suffixes carrying adverbial functions.
====Tense====
Tense marking is always optional. The only explicitly marked tense is the future tense. Past and present tense cannot be marked and are always implied. All verbs can be marked through adverbs to show relative time (using words such as "yesterday" or "tomorrow"). If neither of these markings is present, the verb can imply a past, present, or future tense.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Future tense
!Tense
!Example
|-
|Present
|{{interlinear
|Pijavimiq vigiipuk.
|telephone-INSTR talk-we-1DU.3SG
|We (two) talk on the phone.}}
|-
|Future
|{{interlinear
|Pijavimiq vi'''nia'''giipuk.
|telephone-INSTR talk-we-DU-'''FUT'''
|We (two) '''will''' talk on the phone.}}
|-
|Future (implied)
|{{interlinear
|Suujuqqanu savisuhuu ilaa '''kaluuŋiluuk'''.
|{give birth probably} {sister's} {I} '''tomorrow'''
|My sister (will) give(s) birth '''tomorrow'''. (the future tense "will" is implied by the word tomorrow)}}
|}
====Aspect====
Marking aspect is optional in Qasunattuuji verbs. It has a perfective versus imperfective distinction in aspect, along with other distinctions, such as: frequentative (-ataq; "to repeatedly verb"), habitual (-simavi; "to always, habitual verb"), inchoative (-hiŋaat; "about to verb"), and intentional (-sahuma; "intend to verb"). The aspect suffix can be found after the verb root and before or within the obligatory person-number-mood suffix.
number-mood suffix.
====Mood====
Qasunattuuji has the following moods: Indicative, Interrogative, Imperative (positive, negative), Coordinative, and Conditional. Participles are sometimes classified as a mood.
===Adjectives===
===Adjectives===
===Numbers===
Generally, adjectives are affixed on the noun, after the root.
Sufixos derivacionais:
*-(q)ip- (opposite)
*-(p)ali- (-ful)
*-(f)al- (-phile)
*-(f)up- (-phobe)
noun+adjective declined in the instrumental (able)
person+place declined in the ablative (inhabitant)
Notes:
*There isn't a derivational method to transform adjectives into manner adverbs, because they are separate words.
*Both -(f)al- and -(f)ub- are borrowed from English.
 
===Numerals===
Qasunattuuji numerals are [[w:Vigesimal|base-20]] with a sub-base of 10. They decline (except in the vocative) and can be incorporated to the verbs. The numbers 1 to 20 are:
{|class=wikitable
|-
!1||2||3||4||5
|-
|qii
|tuvu
|taji
|pija
|pinap
|-
!6||7||8||9||10
|-
|savix
|sivat
|uxat
|qanuun
|tixam
|-
!11||12||13||14||15
|-
|tixaqii
|tixajuvu
|tixajaji
|tixapija
|tixapinap
|-
!16||17||18||19||20
|-
|tixasavix
|tixisivat
|tixamuxat
|tixaqanuun
|iŋuiŋŋaq
|}
 
Multiples of 400 are created with ''-kipiaq'' and 8000's with ''-pak''.
{|class=wikitable
!#
!Number
!Semantics
|-
|20
|iŋuiŋŋaq
|20
|-
|25
|iŋuiŋŋaq pinap
|20 + 5
|-
|30
|iŋuiŋŋaq tixam
|20 + 10
|-
|35
|iŋuiŋŋaq tixapinap
|20 + 15
|-
|-
|40
|tuviŋuiŋŋaq
|2×20
|-
|45
|tuviŋuiŋŋaq pinap
|2×20 + 5
|-
|50
|tuviŋuiŋŋaq tixam
|2×20 + 10
|-
|55
|tuviŋuiŋŋaq tixapinap
|2×20 + 15
|-
|60
|tajiiŋuiŋŋaq
|3×20
|-
|70
|tajiŋuiŋŋaq tixam
|3×20 + 10
|-
|80
|pijiŋuiŋŋaq
|4×20
|-
|90
|pijiŋuiŋŋaq tixam
|4×20 + 10
|-
|100
|pinapiŋuiŋŋaq
|5×20
|-
|110
|pinapiŋuiŋŋaq tixam
|5×20 + 10
|-
|120
|savixiŋuiŋŋaq
|6x20
|-
|140
|sivajiŋuiŋŋaq
|7x20
|-
|160
|uxajiŋuiŋŋaq
|8×20
|-
|180
|qanuuniŋuiŋŋaq
|9×20
|-
|200
|tixamiŋuiŋŋaq
|10×20
|-
|300
|tixapinapiŋuiŋŋaq
|15×20
|-
|400
|qiikipiaq
|1x400
|-
|800
|tuvukipiaq
|2×400
|-
|1200
|tajikipiaq
|3×400
|-
|1600
|pijakipiaq
|4×400
|-
|2000
|pinakipiaq
|5×400
|-
|2400
|savikipiaq
|6×400
|-
|2800
|sivakipiaq
|7x400
|-
|4000
|tixakipiaq
|10×400
|-
|6000
|tixapinakipiaq
|15×400
|-
|8000
|qiipak
|1x8000
|}
 
Ordinal numerals are formed by the suffix (a)t to the base number: qii (one) → qii'''t''' (first).<br>
Fractions are formed with the numerator being cardinal and decline in the ergative, and the denominator being ordinal: tavujix taji (two thirds).<br>
Frequency numerals are formed adding the particle viik (times): taji vix (three times).<br>
Multiplicative numerals are formed adding the particle pilu (plus): taji pilu (triple).
 
====Mathematical operations====
Addition: qajit + number in the ergative + number in the ablative, e.g. qajit tuvujuh tuvuhip pijaujut (2 plus 2 equals 4).<br>
Subtraction: muugit + number no ergative + number in the ablative, e.g. muugit pijamixi tuvuhip tuvuujut (4 minus 4 equals 2).<br>
Multiplication: viimixah + number in the ergative + number in the allative, e.g. viimixah tuvujuh tuvuhip pijaujut (2 multiplied by 2 equals 4).<br>
Division: yaka+ number in the ergative + number in the allative, e.g. yaka tajimixi tuvuhip tuvuujut (4 divided by 2 equals 2).<br>
 
===Demonstrative adverbs===
===Demonstrative adverbs===
===Demonstrative pronouns===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Demonstrative adverbs in the absolutive case
!
! colspan="2" |{{center|'''Visible'''}}
! rowspan="2" |{{center|'''Not visible'''}}
|-
|
|{{center|'''Restricted'''}}
|{{center|'''Extended'''}}
|-
|'''Proximal'''
|{{center|uvva}}
|{{center|majja}}
!
|-
|'''Distal (to the speaker), proximal (to the listener)'''
|{{center|taaja}}
!colspan="2"|
|-
|'''Distal (to the speaker and listener)'''
|{{center|iŋŋa}}
|{{center|avva}}
|{{center|amma}}
|-
|'''Up there'''
|{{center|pikka}}
|{{center|pagga}}
|{{center|paama}}
|-
|'''Down there'''
|{{center|kanna}}
|{{center|unna}}
|{{center|saana}}
|-
|'''In there'''
|{{center|kivva}}
|{{center|qavva}}
|{{center|qamma}}
|-
|'''Out there'''
|{{center|qigga}}
|{{center|qagga}}
|{{center|qaama}}
|-
|'''Near the door'''
|{{center|ugga}}
!colspan="2"|
|-
|'''Outside the door'''
!colspan="2"|
|{{center|saama}}
|-
|'''Across there'''
|{{center|ikka}}
|{{center|agga}}
|{{center|aama}}
|-
|'''Back there'''
|{{center|piŋŋa}}
|{{center|pavva}}
|{{center|pamma}}
|-
|'''Remote past'''
|{{center|imma}}
!colspan="2"|
|}
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Declination of some demonstrative adverbs
!
!Locative
!Allative
!Ablative
!Perlative
|-
|qaama <br> out there,not visible
|{{center|qaama-qi}}
|{{center|qaama-hi}}
|{{center|qaaama-hip}}
|{{center|qaama-pi}}
|-
|paama <br> out there, not visible, distal
|{{center|paama-qi}}
|{{center|paama-hi}}
|{{center|paama-hip}}
|{{center|paama-pi}}
|-
|kanna <br> down there
|{{center|kanna-qi}}
|{{center|kanna-hi}}
|{{center|kanna-hip}}
|{{center|kanna-pi}}
|-
|majja <br> around here, visible, extended, distal
|{{center|majja-qi}}
|{{center|majja-hi}}
|{{center|majja-hip}}
|{{center|majja-pi}}
|}
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Case stacking on demonstrative adverbs
!colspan="2"|amma 'over there (not visible, distal)'
|-
|amma-qi
|Locative
|-
|amma-qi-aŋa-qi
|Locative-aŋa-locative
|-
|amma-qi-aŋa-hi
|Locative-aŋa-allative
|-
|amma-qi-aŋa-hip
|Locative-aŋa-ablative
|-
|amma-qi-aŋa-pi
|Locative-aŋa-perlative
|-
|amma-hi
|Allative
|-
|amma-hi-hi
|Allative-allative
|-
|amma-hip
|Ablative
|-
|amma-pi
|Perlative
|}
 
===Pronouns===
{|class="wikitable"
|+Personal pronouns
!
!{{center|'''Absolutive'''}}
!{{center|'''Ergative'''}}
!{{center|'''Allative'''}}
!{{center|'''Ablative'''}}
!{{center|'''Locative'''}}
!{{center|'''Perlative'''}}
!{{center|'''Similative'''}}
|-
|{{center|{{Interlinear|1SG}}}}
|{{center|Uvaŋa}}
|{{center|Uvaŋahuu}}
|{{center|Uvaŋahi}}
|{{center|Uvaŋahip}}
|{{center|Uvaŋaqi}}
|{{center|Uvaŋapi}}
|{{center|Uvaŋasi}}
|-
|{{center|{{Interlinear|2SG}}}}
|{{center|Ilivix}}
|{{center|Ilivihuu}}
|{{center|Ilivihi}}
|{{center|Ilivihahip}}
|{{center|Ilivihaqi}}
|{{center|Ilivihapi}}
|{{center|Ilivihasi}}
|-
|{{center|{{Interlinear|3SG}}}}
|{{center|Ilaa}}
|{{center|Ilaahuu}}
|{{center|Ilaahi}}
|{{center|Ilaahip}}
|{{center|Ilaaqi}}
|{{center|Ilaapi}}
|{{center|Ilaasi}}
|-
|{{center|{{Interlinear|1DU}}}}
|{{center|Uvaŋaju}}
|{{center|Uvaŋajuh}}
|{{center|Uvaŋahit}}
|{{center|Uvaŋahuut}}
|{{center|Uvaŋaqu}}
|{{center|Uvaŋat}}
|{{center|Uvaŋasit}}
|-
|{{center|{{Interlinear|2DU}}}}
|{{center|Iliviju}}
|{{center|Ilivijuh}}
|{{center|Ilivihit}}
|{{center|Ilivihuut}}
|{{center|Ilivihaq}}
|{{center|Ilivit}}
|{{center|Ilivisit}}
|-
|{{center|{{Interlinear|3DU}}}}
|{{center|Ilaaju}}
|{{center|Ilaajuh}}
|{{center|Ilaahit}}
|{{center|Ilaahuut}}
|{{center|Ilaaqu}}
|{{center|Ilaat}}
|{{center|Ilaasit}}
|-
|{{center|{{Interlinear|1PL}}}}
|{{center|Uvaŋamix}}
|{{center|Uvaŋamixi}}
|{{center|Uvaŋahim}}
|{{center|Uvaŋahum}}
|{{center|Uvaŋaqix}}
|{{center|Uvaŋapix}}
|{{center|Uvaŋasix}}
|-
|{{center|{{Interlinear|2PL}}}}
|{{center|Ilivimix}}
|{{center|Ilivixi}}
|{{center|Ilivihim}}
|{{center|Ilivihum}}
|{{center|Iliviqix}}
|{{center|Ilivipix}}
|{{center|Ilivisix}}
|-
|{{center|{{Interlinear|3PL}}}}
|{{center|Ilaamix}}
|{{center|Ilaamixi}}
|{{center|Ilaahim}}
|{{center|Ilaahum}}
|{{center|Ilaaqix}}
|{{center|Ilaapix}}
|{{center|Ilaasix}}
|-
|{{center|{{Interlinear|3SG-REFL}}}}
|{{center|Iimi}}
|{{center|Iimihuu}}
|{{center|Iimihi}}
|{{center|Iimihip}}
|{{center|Iimiqi}}
|{{center|Iimipi}}
|{{center|Iimisi}}
|-
|{{center|{{Interlinear|3DU-REFL}}}}
|{{center|Iimiju}}
|{{center|Iimijuh}}
|{{center|Iimihit}}
|{{center|Iimihuut}}
|{{center|Iimiqu}}
|{{center|Iimit}}
|{{center|Iimisit}}
|-
|{{center|{{Interlinear|3PL-REFL}}}}
|{{center|Iimimix}}
|{{center|Iimimixi}}
|{{center|Iimihim}}
|{{center|Iimihum}}
|{{center|Iimiqix}}
|{{center|Iimipix}}
|{{center|Iimisix}}
|}
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Interrogative pronouns
! colspan="4" |{{center|kiŋa (who?)}}
|-
|
|{{center|'''Singular'''}}
|{{center|'''Dual'''}}
|{{center|'''Plural'''}}
|-
|{{center|'''Absolutive'''}}
|{{center|kiŋa}}
|{{center|kiŋa-ju}}
|{{center|kiŋa-mix}}
|-
|{{center|'''Ergative'''}}
|{{center|kiŋa-hu}}
|{{center|kiŋa-juh}}
|{{center|kiŋa-mixi}}
|-
|{{center|'''Instrumental'''}}
|{{center|kiŋa-k}}
|{{center|kiŋa-juk}}
|{{center|kiŋa-kix}}
|-
|{{center|'''Allative'''}}
|{{center|kiŋa-hi}}
|{{center|kiŋa-hit}}
|{{center|kiŋa-him}}
|-
|{{center|'''Ablative'''}}
|{{center|kiŋa-hip}}
|{{center|kiŋa-hut}}
|{{center|kiŋa-hum}}
|-
|{{center|'''Locative'''}}
|{{center|kiŋa-qi}}
|{{center|kiŋa-qu}}
|{{center|kiŋa-qix}}
|-
|{{center|'''Perlative'''}}
|{{center|kiŋa-pi}}
|{{center|kiŋa-t}}
|{{center|kiŋa-pix}}
|-
|{{center|'''Similative'''}}
|{{center|kiŋa-si}}
|{{center|kiŋa-sit}}
|{{center|kiŋa-six}}
|-
! colspan="4" |{{center|put (what?)}}
|-
|
|{{center|'''Singular'''}}
|{{center|'''Dual'''}}
|{{center|'''Plural'''}}
|-
|{{center|'''Absolutive'''}}
|{{center|put}}
|{{center|put-tu}}
|{{center|puj-ix}}
|-
|{{center|'''Ergative'''}}
|{{center|pu-hu}}
|{{center|put-tuh}}
|{{center|puj-ixi}}
|-
|{{center|'''Instrumental'''}}
|{{center|pu-hak}}
|{{center|pu-kat}}
|{{center|pu-kix}}
|-
|{{center|'''Allative'''}}
|{{center|pu-hi}}
|{{center|pu-hit}}
|{{center|pu-him}}
|-
|{{center|'''Ablative'''}}
|{{center|pu-hahip}}
|{{center|pu-huut}}
|{{center|pu-hum}}
|-
|{{center|'''Locative'''}}
|{{center|pu-haqi}}
|{{center|pu-haq}}
|{{center|pu-qix}}
|-
|{{center|'''Perlative'''}}
|{{center|pu-hapi}}
|{{center|puj-it}}
|{{center|pu-pix}}
|-
|{{center|'''Similative'''}}
|{{center|pu-hasi}}
|{{center|pu-sit}}
|{{center|pu-six}}
|}
 
====Demonstrative pronouns====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Demonstrative pronouns in the absolutive case
!
! colspan="2" |{{center|'''Visible'''}}
! rowspan="2" |{{center|'''Not visible'''}}
|-
|
|{{center|'''Restricted'''}}
|{{center|'''Extended'''}}
|-
|'''Proximal'''
|{{center|una}}
|{{center|manna}}
!
|-
|'''Distal (to the speaker), proximal (to the listener)'''
|{{center|taamana}}
!colspan="2"|
|-
|'''Distal (to the speaker and listener)'''
|{{center|iŋŋa}}
|colspan="2"|{{center|aana}}
|-
|'''Up there'''
|{{center|piiŋa}}
|{{center|paana}}
|{{center|pakiina}}
|-
|'''Down there'''
|{{center|kanna}}
|{{center|unna}}
|{{center|saana}}
|-
|'''In there'''
|{{center|kiiŋa}}
|colspan="2"|{{center|qaana}}
|-
|'''Out there'''
|{{center|kiŋŋa}}
|{{center|qaŋna}}
|{{center|qakiina}}
|-
|'''Near the door'''
|{{center|uuna}}
!colspan="2"|
|-
|'''Outside the door'''
!colspan="2"|
|{{center|sakiina}}
|-
|'''Across there'''
|{{center|iiŋa}}
|{{center|aaŋa}}
|{{center|akiina}}
|-
|'''Back there'''
|{{center|piŋŋa}}
|colspan="2"|{{center|paana}}
|-
|'''Remote past'''
|{{center|iima}}
!colspan="2"|
|}
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Declination of the demonstrative pronoun paana
!
!{{center|Singular}}
!{{center|Dual}}
!{{center|Plural}}
|-
|{{center|'''Absolutive'''}}
|{{center|paana}}
|{{center|paana-ju}}
|{{center|paana-mix}}
|-
|{{center|'''Ergative'''}}
|{{center|paana-hu}}
|{{center|paana-juh}}
|{{center|paana-mixi}}
|-
|{{center|'''Instrumental'''}}
|{{center|paana-k}}
|{{center|paana-juk}}
|{{center|paana-kix}}
|-
|{{center|'''Allative'''}}
|{{center|paana-hi}}
|{{center|paana-hit}}
|{{center|paana-him}}
|-
|{{center|'''Ablative'''}}
|{{center|paana-hip}}
|{{center|paana-hut}}
|{{center|paana-hum}}
|-
|{{center|'''Locative'''}}
|{{center|paana-qi}}
|{{center|paana-qu}}
|{{center|paana-qix}}
|-
|{{center|'''Perlative'''}}
|{{center|paana-pi}}
|{{center|paana-t}}
|{{center|paana-pix}}
|-
|{{center|'''Similative'''}}
|{{center|paana-si}}
|{{center|paana-sit}}
|{{center|paana-six}}
|-
|{{center|'''Vocative'''}}
|{{center|paanaa}}
!colspan="2"|
|}
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Case stacking on demonstrative pronouns
!colspan="2"|aana 'that one over there (not visible, distal)'
|-
|aana
|Absolutive
|-
|aana-hu
|Ergative
|-
|aana-hu-qu
|Ergative-locative
|-
|aana-hu-hi
|Ergative-allative
|-
|aana-hu-hip
|Ergative-ablative
|-
|aana-hu-pi
|Ergative-perlative
|-
|aana-hu-si
|Ergative-similative
|-
|aana-hu-k
|Ergative-instrumental
|}
 
===Conjunctions===
===Conjunctions===
aaŋa means “but”, asiiŋ and suli mean “and”, but asiiŋ is contrastive (that is, and, in contrast)
===Cross-class morphology and wordhood definition===
Nouns cannot be conjugated or negated as verbs, nor verbs, declinated. When a noun is negated, it becomes a verb. Only verbs can bear the nominalizer suffix -(ŋ)iiŋi.<br>
Assibilation and hiatus breaking don't occur between words.
==Syntax==
==Syntax==
In order to express a phrase that in the Western languages would be with the phrase "big dog", in Qasunattuuji can be expressed in two ways: with a noun with the augmentative suffix or with a verbal phrase with the verb "to be big". If there are verbs with incorporated nouns, the quantifiers come before the verb.
Indirect objects, oblique objects and comparatives' objects cannot be relativized. <br>
An ergative can be promoted (passivized) to an absolutive through an antipassive (suffix -(i)si) before the person-number-mood suffix. <br>
Titles come before nouns, and geographic names, after the noun that characterizes it e.g. Iluuhuusaji Muppak (North Sea). <br>
The verb ''to be'' is always conjugated in the dual or plural after a mathematical operation that results in 2 or more.
===Constituent order===
===Constituent order===
The basic word order is relatively free due to grammatical cases, but it's generally VSO.
===Noun phrase===
===Noun phrase===
===Verb phrase===
If present, the possessor should come before the nucleus and if colors, numbers or quantifiers are used, they come before the nucleus.
===Sentence phrase===
 
===Dependent clauses===
===Dependent clauses===
Usually, relative sentences come after the main sentence. <br>
===Some other valid transformations===
===Some other valid transformations===
*WH fronting: only one WH can be fronted.
*Quotation inversion: a quotation can be placed before the verbs of saying or thinking, but only if the subject isn't a pronoun.
*Sentence-level prepositional phrases can be reordered, but only one verbal argument can be fronted. For example, the sentence ''with the lawyer, about money, we talked'' is invalid.
*Heavy-NP backing: a long noun phrase can be placed at the end of a sentence.
*A sentence with ''as'' can be easily deleted. E.g.<br>
:Kiŋahu iijuliaŋupisaxanipisa ilaasi upisaxanituaq? <br>
:Who can write a story as s/he can write?<br>
:can become<br>
:Kiŋahu iijuliaŋupisaxaniggaa ''ilaa''?
:Who can write a story as ''s/he''?
*Gapping can also happen with negated verbs. For example:<br>
:Huuŋihuu qagigaaŋit nuuŋukalija suli Qiqahuu, nuuŋukijimiq<br>
:Huuŋi didn't buy a new car, and Qiqaj, a new refrigerator <br>
:is perfectly valid.<br>
*Another kind of gapping (stripping) can occur even when the sentences' objects are different. For example:<br>
:Qiqaaŋa hilippihahuu sajijajilugu suli ilaahuu, sul<br>
:I ate some of the leftover bread and s/he, cheese <br>
:is perfectly possible in Qasunattuuji.
*In certain contexts, a sentence that has nothing to do with the main sentence can be inserted. For example:<br>
:Tisaa (vigamigaa simavihi) qusajiqagijittuq<br>
:The king (may he live forever) isn't receiving visitors<br>
:is possible.


==Example texts==
==Example texts==
<!-- An example of a translated or unique text written in your language. Again, it is recommended that you make sure that the phonology, constraints, phonotactics and grammar are more or less finished before writing. -->
Iluuhuusaji Haviqan (The North Wind and the Sun): Imaaŋa, igajuxiinijunikkaŋa Iluuhuusaji Haviqahuu suli Sahuu vixalilujuq kiŋa, qaaŋalan vijuq qiihuu mujunajihuu majiyakanuugaa ayuaqujuq. Aŋigaajin mihaxxaniniagaa iŋŋahuu kiŋahuu mujinajihuu muugittuq ilaa maajiyahuu ilusuisihattuq vixalilujuq hinajihahip. Aaxiiŋ havijuq vixaliluxanijuq Iluuhuusaji Haviqan, vixalilujuq havijuq aaŋa kaluuqi, maajiyaviijuq mujunaji kanuukkaŋa ilaa. Aaxiiŋ xaviluni ayuaqujuq Sahuu suli uusa maajiyamuugittuq mujunaji. Qajukajijujuq malugu Iluuhuusaji Haviqahuu pit vixaligik Sahuu tuvuhuut.
 
/i.luː.χuːˈsa.ʐi χaˈvi.qan ˈsu.li ˈsa.χu/ (transcription): /iˈmaːŋ.a, i.ʁa.ʐu.ʂiː.ni.ʐu.nikˈkaŋ.a i.luːχuːˈsa.ʐi χa.viˈqa.χuː su.li ˈsa.χuː vi.ʂa.liˈlu.ʐuq ˈki.na, qaːŋˈa.lan ˈvi.ʐuq ˈqiː.χuː mu.ʐu.naˈʐi.χuː ma.ʐi.ja.kaˈnuː.ʁaː a.juaˈqu.ʐuq. aŋ.iˈʁaː.ʐin mi.χaʂ.ʂa.niˈnia.ʁaː iŋˈŋa.χuː kiˈna.χuː mu.ʐi.naˈʐi.χuː muːˈʁit.tuq ˈi.laː maː.ʐiˈja.χuː i.lu.sui.siˈχat.tuq vi.ʂa.liˈlu.ʐuq χi.na.ʐiˈχa.χip. ˈaː.ʂiːŋ χaˈvi.ʐuq vi.ʂa.li.lu.ʂaˈni.ʐuq i.luː.χuːˈsa.ʐi χaˈvi.qan, vi.ʂa.liˈlu.ʐuq χaˈvi.ʐuq ˈaː.ŋa kaˈluː.qi, maː.ʐi.jaˈviː.ʐuq mu.ʐuˈna.ʐi ka.nuːkˈka.ŋa ˈi.laː. ˈaː.ʂiːŋ ʂa.viˈlu.ni a.juaˈqu.ʐuq ˈsa.χuː ˈsu.li ˈuː.sa maː.ʐi.ja.muːˈʁit.tuq mu.ʐuˈna.ʐi. qa.ʐu.ka.ʐiˈʐu.ʐuq maˈlu.ɢu i.luː.χuːˈsa.ʐi χa.viˈqa.χuː pit vi.ʂaˈli.ʁik ˈsa.χuː tuˈvu.χuːt/
 
Text with gloss:<br>
{| cellpadding="4" style="line-height: 1em;"
|+
<!-- Sentence -->
| colspan="8"| '''Kaluusaakiiŋaviŋiiŋi, vuhuu tisaal tisalisaakuugnuqittuq aaq ilaa xajijatŋiiŋihuu'''
|-
<!-- Pronunciation-->
| colspan="8"| /kaluːsaːkiːŋaviˈʐiŋu ˈvuχuː ˈtisaːl tisalisaːkuːʁnuˈqittuq aːq ˈilaː ʂaʐiʐattiŋˈuχuː/
|-
<!-- Morphemes-->
|<small>kaluusaakiiŋavijŋiiŋi</small>
|<small>vuj-</small>
|<small>-huu</small>
|<small>tisaa</small>
|<small>tisalisa-</small>
|<small>-akuugnuq-</small>
|<small>-it-</small>
|<small>-tuq</small>
|<small>aaq</small>
|<small>ilaa</small>
|<small>xajijaŋiiŋi-</small>
|<small>-huu</small>
|-
<!-- Gloss-->
|yesterday
| court-
| -{{sc|erg}}
|winter
| king
| queen-
| -accept-
| -{{sc|neg}}-
| -{{sc|3s.intr}}
| because
| s/he
| belief-
| -{{sc|erg}}
|-
<!-- Translations -->
| colspan="8"| '' The king's court rejected the new queen due to her faith.''
|}
 
Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: xaxajut qaluujut suli iikujut  haniyumixi taxahaqi suli mijayuqix, ihihiimixi isummiq suli sulijalaqaxannigiiŋu, igigaixaxu qiimixi hinajihim qajihajuŋiiŋiqi vihuu.
 
 
Uvisa suli Ixappix (The Sheep and the Horses — Schleicher's Fable): Xisukaajuaqit uvisahuu ixxapavijijax, kalijaqajuujunigaa vijujuaq qii, yuqijunigaa mijuaq qii, suli viqaqijunigaa qilamik qii. Vigaa uvisahuu ixappahum: “ihigaaŋa uvaŋahuu xijahuu viqavilugu ixappajajiijunigaa”. Vijut ixappix: “xaluuja, uvisaa, ihigaix uvaŋamixi xijix viqavilugu manna: viqahuu, pujihuu, xaagaa uvisa xisuhuu tiihuu, visajijiiŋuhi ayuaqujuq uvaŋahi xisukaajuaqinu.” Kajunilugu xaluulugu manna, quugaa uvisahuu hixahi.
 
Vavilun Paaniahuu (The Tower of Babel):
#Sajiijigaa iluqaqiluuhuu tanaqupaaluk qii, qii vipaaluhuu vipiiŋu.
#Qavijunilugu viqixi Huusajihip, kugaat qii palit Sinnaal gulunisiluvajunu paana iŋmimix.
#Vigaix qiimixi hinajihim: “qilamihalijuŋ suli viqinalaniagivut.” Qijasulijalaqamihagaix hixamalix suli pijum laavulaluaq.
#Huujij vijut: “guluttiijilijuŋ sulijalaqaq paania qajiikkaŋa tayuumix. Xannigiiŋuniasijuli qanihuu suli qilukisigiput iliihuu tiqi.
#Ilusuyumajuq Pujis tijagaa kuluhuu suli paaniahuu tiijijuat viqixi.
#Vijunu Pujis: ”Tuujiujut qiipaaluk suli tanaquvigaat qiipaaluk aakajunu tiijigaat una. Kaluuŋunaxavixanimisiagai niahuu unaxamijuat mihajut.
#Vilik, ilusuyumali suli sulijalaqavalaujilaaput tanaquhuu vijuat mijijax qasunaminiaigaux qiimixi hinajihim.”
#Qiluugaili Pujihuu aanahahip tiyuhi, tuujunu guluttiiji.
#Aaq Vavilukulaqasujuq, aaq sulijalaqavalaujigaa tanaquhuu iluuyu. Aanahahip Pujihuu qiluugai tiyupi..


Pahaat Uvaŋa (Lord's Prayer)<br>
Pahaat uvaŋa, kiŋa tayuuŋujujin:<br>
Xaviiŋattijuniajuq  Ilivix qanihuu.<br>
Viniajuq Ilivix Tisaattuu.<br>
Mihaxisijuq Ilivix iluuqiiŋuhuu.<br>
Qajittigu uvaŋamix hilihuu iluuyu.<br>
Pujuimuulagittigu uvaŋamix qajigijaxujiihix, pujuimuulagigivuli qajigijaxujimix.<br>
Yumajiuŋnu killuhim, uujau qaluujit huuqihum.<br>
Aaq Ilivihuu Tisaattuuŋujuq, vixuŋujuq, suli qijaqunatujuq, simavihi.<br>
Unauniajuq.
[[Category:Qasunattuuji]]
[[Category:Qasunattuuji]]
[[Category:Conlangs]]
[[Category:Conlangs]]

Latest revision as of 23:50, 17 December 2024

Qasunattuuji
Qasunattuuji
Pronunciation[qasunatˈtuːʐi]
Created byGJS
Date2023 - present
SettingAlt-history North America
Native toTuujiyumix Ilihuu
Indo-European
  • Qasunattuuji
Official status
Official language in
Tuujiyumix Ilihuu
This article contains IPA phonetic symbols. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Unicode characters. For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA.

Qasunattuuji is an Indo European language (classification pending feedback) spoken in the country of Tuujiyumix Ilihuu (real-life Alaska), where it enjoys an official status. Although its words are derived from PIE, its phonology and most of its morphology show traces related to the Inuit languages, as it's polysynthetic and has only the vowels /a/, /i/, and /u/, with length distinctions. It was created for an alternate history timeline where some PIE-speakers migrated all the way from Eastern Europe to Alaska and where the Russians made Alaska a protectorate instead of a colony.

Etymology

The name Qasunattiiji means real people or true people, while Tuujiyumix Ilihuu means Land of all Peoples. The name of the country was chosen to replace the old 'Greater Alaska' in order to distance the new country from Russia shortly after its independence in 1917.

Phonology

Phonological history

  • Clipping en masse
  • bʰ → pʰ → ɸ → h → q
  • gʰ → dʰ → x → q
  • ɣʷ → ɢ
  • ɢː → ʁː
  • gʲʰ → gʰ → dʰ → x → q
  • tʲ → tʃ → ʃ → ʂ
  • gʲ → dʒ → tʃ → ʃ → ʂ
  • kʲ → tʃ → ʃ → ʂ
  • gʷ → w → v
  • gʷʰ → gʷ → kʷ → p
  • dʰ → tʰ → t
  • kʷ → p
  • {e,o}j → iː
  • {eː,oː}j → aː
  • {e,o}w → uː
  • {eː,oː}w → uː
  • {eː,oː} → {iː,u}
  • epenthetic /a/ appears to break invalid consonant clusters, except in words borrowed from Russian and English.
  • epenthetic /i/ appears before [l ʐ ɢ] if they occur in the beginning of words.

Consonants

Consonant phonemes
Labial Alveolar Palatal Retroflex Velar Uvular
Nasal m n (ŋ)
Stop p t k q ɢ
Fricative f v s ʂ ʐ χ (ʁ)
Lateral l
Approximant j

Notes:

  • Before /n/, /ŋ/ /ʁ/ are the allophones of /k/ and /q/, respectively.
  • /ŋ/ also appears in Inuit borrowings.
  • /ʁ/ is also used in verbal morphemes that are borrowed from Inuit. Its geminated version is equivalent to a /ɢː/.

Vowels

Front Back
Close i(ː) u(ː)
Open a(ː)

Prosody

Stress falls always on the penultimate syllable.

Phonotactics

[l ʐ ɢ] can't appear at the beginning of words, but can occur at the beginning of a medial syllable, while [p t k q s j m n v ʂ j f χ] can occur both at the beginning of a word and at the beginning of a medial syllable.
[ŋ] can only come at the beginning of a medial syllable after another [ŋ].
If there is a long and a short vowel in sequence, and vice versa, for example [aːi], an epenthetic [ŋ] appears to break this hiatus, in this case, becoming [aːŋi].
[t] and [p] become [ʐ] and [v], respectively, between vowels (assibilation).
[k], [q] and [t] become [ŋ], [ʁ] and [n], respectively, before [n]
Consonants can be geminated, but in this case, they should be pronounced as if there were two of them.

Orthography

Latin letter (since the 1920s) Cyrillic letter (between the XVII century and the 1920s) IPA
Qasunattuuji alphabets
A, a A, а /a/
F, f Ф, ф /f/
G, g Г. г /ɢ/ or /ʁ/ (see consonants)
H, h Х, х /χ/
I, i И, и /i/
J, j Ж, ж /ʐ/
K, k К, к /k/
L, l Л, л /l/
M, m М, м /m/
N, n Н, н /n/
Ŋ, ŋ Нг, нг /ŋ/
P, p П, п /p/
Q, q Кь, кь /q/
S, s С, с /s/
T, t Т, т /t/
U, u У, y /u/
V, v В, в /v/
X, x Ш, ш /ʂ/
Y, y Й, й /j/

Notes:

  • In both alphabets, long vowels are written as double letters (aa,:ии, уу, aa, ii, uu).
  • Double кь and нг were written кькь and нгнг, respectively.

Morphology

Nouns

Nouns decline in eight different cases: absolutive, ergative, instrumental, allative, ablative, locative, perlative and similative, and in number, for singular, dual and plural.

Nouns

Singular

Dual

Plural

Absolutive -∅ ÷ju² ÷ix¹ / -mix
Ergative ÷huu ÷juh² ÷ixi¹ / -mixi
Instrumental ÷hak / -k ÷kat / tuk ÷kix²
Allative ÷hi ÷hit ÷him
Ablative ÷hahip / -hip ÷huut ÷hum
Locative ÷haqi / -qi ÷haq / qu ÷qix²
Perlative ÷havi / -pi ÷it¹ / -t ÷pix²
Similative ÷hasi / -si ÷sit² ÷six²

Notes:

  • ÷: if the root ends in a consonant, remove it.
  • ¹: if the root ends in a consonant, remove both it and the vowel before it, except in monosyllabic words, in which case the suffix goes after the consonant.
  • ²: if the root ends with the suffix's first consonant, the suffix is applied in its totality, without removing consonants.
  • If there are two forms, the second is used if the root ends in a vowel.
Example: mihat (mother)

Singular

Dual

Plural

Absolutive mihat mihaju mihix
Ergative mihahuu mihajuh mihixi
Instrumental mihahak mihakat mihakix
Allative mihahi mihahit mihahim
Ablative mihahahip mihahuut mihahum
Locative mihahaqi mihahaqu mihaqix
Perlative mihavi mihit mihavix
Similative mihasi mihasit mihasix
Example: puulu (son)

Singular

Dual

Plural

Absolutive puulu puuluju puulumix
Ergative puuluhuu puulujuh puulumixi
Instrumental puuluk puulujuk puulukix
Allative puuluhi puuluhit puuluhim
Ablative puuluhip puuluhuut puuluhum
Locative puuluqi puuluqu puuluqix
Perlative puuluvi puulut puuluvix
Similative puulusi puulusit puulusix

Ergative

The ergative is used to mark the subject of a transitive sentence and to mark the genitive, specifically, marking the possessor of a possessed entity, except in sentences like "is my X", where the ergative falls in the pronoun.

Instrumental

The instrumental also marks the indefinite "object" of syntactically intransitive verbs.

Allative

The allative also marks objective, beneficiary and destination.

Ablative

The Ablative is also used to mark the comparison's source, with the verb receiving the suffix -lu(k) before the person, number and mood suffix.

muu maalujuq siixipahahi
/muː maːˈluʐuk siːʂipaˈχaχi/
muu maa -luk- -tuq siixipahaŋ- -hi
mouse small- -comp- -3s.ind groundhog- -abl
A mouse is smaller than a groundhog

Perlative

The perlative indicates the manner or the way of transportation and also marks the path and the subject of the conversation.

vijunivisigik qayivi?
/viʐuniˈsiʁik qaˈjivi/
vip- -tuni- -pisigik qayi- -vi
talk- -ger- -3s.int winter -perl
Are you talking about the winter?

Vocative

The vocative shows the addressee, including the subject of an imperative sentence. It doesn't have its own suffix, but is marked by elongating the noun's last vowel (if it's short), and in the case of proper nouns, it's not marked orthographically.

miihMihaat!
/miχ/ — /miχaːt/
mihat- -∅- / mihaat
mother -abs.sg / mother -voc.sg
Mother/Oh, mother

Derivation and structure

The morpheme ti is suffixed to the verbs in order to indicate the agent: pi (hunt) → piji (hunter).
The suffix -un transforms a verb into an instrument to do so: sayu (sew) → sayuun (sewing machine).
The suffix -(ŋ)il indicates the diminutive: viin (woman) → viinilu (ggirl).
The suffix -ppak creates a noun that in theory is bigger than the primitive: ixav (caribou) → ixappak (horse).
There are also suffixes for quantities, such as hayaat (many) or payaak (each).

The maximum structure of nouns is:

root-(derivational)-(inflecional)-(number and case)


Derivational can be an adjective or other derivational suffixes, such as the cited above, and inflectional can be an adverb that isn't a free morpheme. There can have several derivational or inflectional suffixes, but, only one nominal root per noun.

Verbs

See also: Qasunattuuji verbs.

Every verb has an obligatory inflection for person, number, and mood (all marked by a single suffix), and can have other inflectional suffixes such as tense, aspect, modality, and various suffixes carrying adverbial functions.

Tense

Tense marking is always optional. The only explicitly marked tense is the future tense. Past and present tense cannot be marked and are always implied. All verbs can be marked through adverbs to show relative time (using words such as "yesterday" or "tomorrow"). If neither of these markings is present, the verb can imply a past, present, or future tense.

Future tense
Tense Example
Present

Pijavimiq

telephone-INSTR

vigiipuk.

talk-we-1DU.3SG

Pijavimiq vigiipuk.

telephone-INSTR talk-we-1DU.3SG

We (two) talk on the phone.

Future

Pijavimiq

telephone-INSTR

viniagiipuk.

talk-we-DU-FUT

Pijavimiq viniagiipuk.

telephone-INSTR talk-we-DU-FUT

We (two) will talk on the phone.

Future (implied)

Suujuqqanu

give birth probably

savisuhuu

sister's

ilaa

I

kaluuŋiluuk.

tomorrow

Suujuqqanu savisuhuu ilaa kaluuŋiluuk.

{give birth probably} {sister's} {I} tomorrow

My sister (will) give(s) birth tomorrow. (the future tense "will" is implied by the word tomorrow)

Aspect

Marking aspect is optional in Qasunattuuji verbs. It has a perfective versus imperfective distinction in aspect, along with other distinctions, such as: frequentative (-ataq; "to repeatedly verb"), habitual (-simavi; "to always, habitual verb"), inchoative (-hiŋaat; "about to verb"), and intentional (-sahuma; "intend to verb"). The aspect suffix can be found after the verb root and before or within the obligatory person-number-mood suffix. number-mood suffix.

Mood

Qasunattuuji has the following moods: Indicative, Interrogative, Imperative (positive, negative), Coordinative, and Conditional. Participles are sometimes classified as a mood.

Adjectives

Generally, adjectives are affixed on the noun, after the root. Sufixos derivacionais:

  • -(q)ip- (opposite)
  • -(p)ali- (-ful)
  • -(f)al- (-phile)
  • -(f)up- (-phobe)

noun+adjective declined in the instrumental (able) person+place declined in the ablative (inhabitant) Notes:

  • There isn't a derivational method to transform adjectives into manner adverbs, because they are separate words.
  • Both -(f)al- and -(f)ub- are borrowed from English.

Numerals

Qasunattuuji numerals are base-20 with a sub-base of 10. They decline (except in the vocative) and can be incorporated to the verbs. The numbers 1 to 20 are:

1 2 3 4 5
qii tuvu taji pija pinap
6 7 8 9 10
savix sivat uxat qanuun tixam
11 12 13 14 15
tixaqii tixajuvu tixajaji tixapija tixapinap
16 17 18 19 20
tixasavix tixisivat tixamuxat tixaqanuun iŋuiŋŋaq

Multiples of 400 are created with -kipiaq and 8000's with -pak.

# Number Semantics
20 iŋuiŋŋaq 20
25 iŋuiŋŋaq pinap 20 + 5
30 iŋuiŋŋaq tixam 20 + 10
35 iŋuiŋŋaq tixapinap 20 + 15
40 tuviŋuiŋŋaq 2×20
45 tuviŋuiŋŋaq pinap 2×20 + 5
50 tuviŋuiŋŋaq tixam 2×20 + 10
55 tuviŋuiŋŋaq tixapinap 2×20 + 15
60 tajiiŋuiŋŋaq 3×20
70 tajiŋuiŋŋaq tixam 3×20 + 10
80 pijiŋuiŋŋaq 4×20
90 pijiŋuiŋŋaq tixam 4×20 + 10
100 pinapiŋuiŋŋaq 5×20
110 pinapiŋuiŋŋaq tixam 5×20 + 10
120 savixiŋuiŋŋaq 6x20
140 sivajiŋuiŋŋaq 7x20
160 uxajiŋuiŋŋaq 8×20
180 qanuuniŋuiŋŋaq 9×20
200 tixamiŋuiŋŋaq 10×20
300 tixapinapiŋuiŋŋaq 15×20
400 qiikipiaq 1x400
800 tuvukipiaq 2×400
1200 tajikipiaq 3×400
1600 pijakipiaq 4×400
2000 pinakipiaq 5×400
2400 savikipiaq 6×400
2800 sivakipiaq 7x400
4000 tixakipiaq 10×400
6000 tixapinakipiaq 15×400
8000 qiipak 1x8000

Ordinal numerals are formed by the suffix (a)t to the base number: qii (one) → qiit (first).
Fractions are formed with the numerator being cardinal and decline in the ergative, and the denominator being ordinal: tavujix taji (two thirds).
Frequency numerals are formed adding the particle viik (times): taji vix (three times).
Multiplicative numerals are formed adding the particle pilu (plus): taji pilu (triple).

Mathematical operations

Addition: qajit + number in the ergative + number in the ablative, e.g. qajit tuvujuh tuvuhip pijaujut (2 plus 2 equals 4).
Subtraction: muugit + number no ergative + number in the ablative, e.g. muugit pijamixi tuvuhip tuvuujut (4 minus 4 equals 2).
Multiplication: viimixah + number in the ergative + number in the allative, e.g. viimixah tuvujuh tuvuhip pijaujut (2 multiplied by 2 equals 4).
Division: yaka+ number in the ergative + number in the allative, e.g. yaka tajimixi tuvuhip tuvuujut (4 divided by 2 equals 2).

Demonstrative adverbs

Demonstrative adverbs in the absolutive case

Visible

Not visible

Restricted

Extended

Proximal

uvva

majja

Distal (to the speaker), proximal (to the listener)

taaja

Distal (to the speaker and listener)

iŋŋa

avva

amma

Up there

pikka

pagga

paama

Down there

kanna

unna

saana

In there

kivva

qavva

qamma

Out there

qigga

qagga

qaama

Near the door

ugga

Outside the door

saama

Across there

ikka

agga

aama

Back there

piŋŋa

pavva

pamma

Remote past

imma

Declination of some demonstrative adverbs
Locative Allative Ablative Perlative
qaama
out there,not visible

qaama-qi

qaama-hi

qaaama-hip

qaama-pi

paama
out there, not visible, distal

paama-qi

paama-hi

paama-hip

paama-pi

kanna
down there

kanna-qi

kanna-hi

kanna-hip

kanna-pi

majja
around here, visible, extended, distal

majja-qi

majja-hi

majja-hip

majja-pi

Case stacking on demonstrative adverbs
amma 'over there (not visible, distal)'
amma-qi Locative
amma-qi-aŋa-qi Locative-aŋa-locative
amma-qi-aŋa-hi Locative-aŋa-allative
amma-qi-aŋa-hip Locative-aŋa-ablative
amma-qi-aŋa-pi Locative-aŋa-perlative
amma-hi Allative
amma-hi-hi Allative-allative
amma-hip Ablative
amma-pi Perlative

Pronouns

Personal pronouns

Absolutive

Ergative

Allative

Ablative

Locative

Perlative

Similative

1SG

Uvaŋa

Uvaŋahuu

Uvaŋahi

Uvaŋahip

Uvaŋaqi

Uvaŋapi

Uvaŋasi

2SG

Ilivix

Ilivihuu

Ilivihi

Ilivihahip

Ilivihaqi

Ilivihapi

Ilivihasi

3SG

Ilaa

Ilaahuu

Ilaahi

Ilaahip

Ilaaqi

Ilaapi

Ilaasi

1DU

Uvaŋaju

Uvaŋajuh

Uvaŋahit

Uvaŋahuut

Uvaŋaqu

Uvaŋat

Uvaŋasit

2DU

Iliviju

Ilivijuh

Ilivihit

Ilivihuut

Ilivihaq

Ilivit

Ilivisit

3DU

Ilaaju

Ilaajuh

Ilaahit

Ilaahuut

Ilaaqu

Ilaat

Ilaasit

1PL

Uvaŋamix

Uvaŋamixi

Uvaŋahim

Uvaŋahum

Uvaŋaqix

Uvaŋapix

Uvaŋasix

2PL

Ilivimix

Ilivixi

Ilivihim

Ilivihum

Iliviqix

Ilivipix

Ilivisix

3PL

Ilaamix

Ilaamixi

Ilaahim

Ilaahum

Ilaaqix

Ilaapix

Ilaasix

3SG-REFL

Iimi

Iimihuu

Iimihi

Iimihip

Iimiqi

Iimipi

Iimisi

3DU-REFL

Iimiju

Iimijuh

Iimihit

Iimihuut

Iimiqu

Iimit

Iimisit

3PL-REFL

Iimimix

Iimimixi

Iimihim

Iimihum

Iimiqix

Iimipix

Iimisix

Interrogative pronouns

kiŋa (who?)

Singular

Dual

Plural

Absolutive

kiŋa

kiŋa-ju

kiŋa-mix

Ergative

kiŋa-hu

kiŋa-juh

kiŋa-mixi

Instrumental

kiŋa-k

kiŋa-juk

kiŋa-kix

Allative

kiŋa-hi

kiŋa-hit

kiŋa-him

Ablative

kiŋa-hip

kiŋa-hut

kiŋa-hum

Locative

kiŋa-qi

kiŋa-qu

kiŋa-qix

Perlative

kiŋa-pi

kiŋa-t

kiŋa-pix

Similative

kiŋa-si

kiŋa-sit

kiŋa-six

put (what?)

Singular

Dual

Plural

Absolutive

put

put-tu

puj-ix

Ergative

pu-hu

put-tuh

puj-ixi

Instrumental

pu-hak

pu-kat

pu-kix

Allative

pu-hi

pu-hit

pu-him

Ablative

pu-hahip

pu-huut

pu-hum

Locative

pu-haqi

pu-haq

pu-qix

Perlative

pu-hapi

puj-it

pu-pix

Similative

pu-hasi

pu-sit

pu-six

Demonstrative pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns in the absolutive case

Visible

Not visible

Restricted

Extended

Proximal

una

manna

Distal (to the speaker), proximal (to the listener)

taamana

Distal (to the speaker and listener)

iŋŋa

aana

Up there

piiŋa

paana

pakiina

Down there

kanna

unna

saana

In there

kiiŋa

qaana

Out there

kiŋŋa

qaŋna

qakiina

Near the door

uuna

Outside the door

sakiina

Across there

iiŋa

aaŋa

akiina

Back there

piŋŋa

paana

Remote past

iima

Declination of the demonstrative pronoun paana

Singular

Dual

Plural

Absolutive

paana

paana-ju

paana-mix

Ergative

paana-hu

paana-juh

paana-mixi

Instrumental

paana-k

paana-juk

paana-kix

Allative

paana-hi

paana-hit

paana-him

Ablative

paana-hip

paana-hut

paana-hum

Locative

paana-qi

paana-qu

paana-qix

Perlative

paana-pi

paana-t

paana-pix

Similative

paana-si

paana-sit

paana-six

Vocative

paanaa

Case stacking on demonstrative pronouns
aana 'that one over there (not visible, distal)'
aana Absolutive
aana-hu Ergative
aana-hu-qu Ergative-locative
aana-hu-hi Ergative-allative
aana-hu-hip Ergative-ablative
aana-hu-pi Ergative-perlative
aana-hu-si Ergative-similative
aana-hu-k Ergative-instrumental

Conjunctions

aaŋa means “but”, asiiŋ and suli mean “and”, but asiiŋ is contrastive (that is, and, in contrast)

Cross-class morphology and wordhood definition

Nouns cannot be conjugated or negated as verbs, nor verbs, declinated. When a noun is negated, it becomes a verb. Only verbs can bear the nominalizer suffix -(ŋ)iiŋi.
Assibilation and hiatus breaking don't occur between words.

Syntax

In order to express a phrase that in the Western languages would be with the phrase "big dog", in Qasunattuuji can be expressed in two ways: with a noun with the augmentative suffix or with a verbal phrase with the verb "to be big". If there are verbs with incorporated nouns, the quantifiers come before the verb.

Indirect objects, oblique objects and comparatives' objects cannot be relativized.
An ergative can be promoted (passivized) to an absolutive through an antipassive (suffix -(i)si) before the person-number-mood suffix.
Titles come before nouns, and geographic names, after the noun that characterizes it e.g. Iluuhuusaji Muppak (North Sea).
The verb to be is always conjugated in the dual or plural after a mathematical operation that results in 2 or more.

Constituent order

The basic word order is relatively free due to grammatical cases, but it's generally VSO.

Noun phrase

If present, the possessor should come before the nucleus and if colors, numbers or quantifiers are used, they come before the nucleus.

Dependent clauses

Usually, relative sentences come after the main sentence.

Some other valid transformations

  • WH fronting: only one WH can be fronted.
  • Quotation inversion: a quotation can be placed before the verbs of saying or thinking, but only if the subject isn't a pronoun.
  • Sentence-level prepositional phrases can be reordered, but only one verbal argument can be fronted. For example, the sentence with the lawyer, about money, we talked is invalid.
  • Heavy-NP backing: a long noun phrase can be placed at the end of a sentence.
  • A sentence with as can be easily deleted. E.g.
Kiŋahu iijuliaŋupisaxanipisa ilaasi upisaxanituaq?
Who can write a story as s/he can write?
can become
Kiŋahu iijuliaŋupisaxaniggaa ilaa?
Who can write a story as s/he?
  • Gapping can also happen with negated verbs. For example:
Huuŋihuu qagigaaŋit nuuŋukalija suli Qiqahuu, nuuŋukijimiq
Huuŋi didn't buy a new car, and Qiqaj, a new refrigerator
is perfectly valid.
  • Another kind of gapping (stripping) can occur even when the sentences' objects are different. For example:
Qiqaaŋa hilippihahuu sajijajilugu suli ilaahuu, sul
I ate some of the leftover bread and s/he, cheese
is perfectly possible in Qasunattuuji.
  • In certain contexts, a sentence that has nothing to do with the main sentence can be inserted. For example:
Tisaa (vigamigaa simavihi) qusajiqagijittuq
The king (may he live forever) isn't receiving visitors
is possible.

Example texts

Iluuhuusaji Haviqan (The North Wind and the Sun): Imaaŋa, igajuxiinijunikkaŋa Iluuhuusaji Haviqahuu suli Sahuu vixalilujuq kiŋa, qaaŋalan vijuq qiihuu mujunajihuu majiyakanuugaa ayuaqujuq. Aŋigaajin mihaxxaniniagaa iŋŋahuu kiŋahuu mujinajihuu muugittuq ilaa maajiyahuu ilusuisihattuq vixalilujuq hinajihahip. Aaxiiŋ havijuq vixaliluxanijuq Iluuhuusaji Haviqan, vixalilujuq havijuq aaŋa kaluuqi, maajiyaviijuq mujunaji kanuukkaŋa ilaa. Aaxiiŋ xaviluni ayuaqujuq Sahuu suli uusa maajiyamuugittuq mujunaji. Qajukajijujuq malugu Iluuhuusaji Haviqahuu pit vixaligik Sahuu tuvuhuut.

/i.luː.χuːˈsa.ʐi χaˈvi.qan ˈsu.li ˈsa.χu/ (transcription): /iˈmaːŋ.a, i.ʁa.ʐu.ʂiː.ni.ʐu.nikˈkaŋ.a i.luːχuːˈsa.ʐi χa.viˈqa.χuː su.li ˈsa.χuː vi.ʂa.liˈlu.ʐuq ˈki.na, qaːŋˈa.lan ˈvi.ʐuq ˈqiː.χuː mu.ʐu.naˈʐi.χuː ma.ʐi.ja.kaˈnuː.ʁaː a.juaˈqu.ʐuq. aŋ.iˈʁaː.ʐin mi.χaʂ.ʂa.niˈnia.ʁaː iŋˈŋa.χuː kiˈna.χuː mu.ʐi.naˈʐi.χuː muːˈʁit.tuq ˈi.laː maː.ʐiˈja.χuː i.lu.sui.siˈχat.tuq vi.ʂa.liˈlu.ʐuq χi.na.ʐiˈχa.χip. ˈaː.ʂiːŋ χaˈvi.ʐuq vi.ʂa.li.lu.ʂaˈni.ʐuq i.luː.χuːˈsa.ʐi χaˈvi.qan, vi.ʂa.liˈlu.ʐuq χaˈvi.ʐuq ˈaː.ŋa kaˈluː.qi, maː.ʐi.jaˈviː.ʐuq mu.ʐuˈna.ʐi ka.nuːkˈka.ŋa ˈi.laː. ˈaː.ʂiːŋ ʂa.viˈlu.ni a.juaˈqu.ʐuq ˈsa.χuː ˈsu.li ˈuː.sa maː.ʐi.ja.muːˈʁit.tuq mu.ʐuˈna.ʐi. qa.ʐu.ka.ʐiˈʐu.ʐuq maˈlu.ɢu i.luː.χuːˈsa.ʐi χa.viˈqa.χuː pit vi.ʂaˈli.ʁik ˈsa.χuː tuˈvu.χuːt/

Text with gloss:

Kaluusaakiiŋaviŋiiŋi, vuhuu tisaal tisalisaakuugnuqittuq aaq ilaa xajijatŋiiŋihuu
/kaluːsaːkiːŋaviˈʐiŋu ˈvuχuː ˈtisaːl tisalisaːkuːʁnuˈqittuq aːq ˈilaː ʂaʐiʐattiŋˈuχuː/
kaluusaakiiŋavijŋiiŋi vuj- -huu tisaa tisalisa- -akuugnuq- -it- -tuq aaq ilaa xajijaŋiiŋi- -huu
yesterday court- -erg winter king queen- -accept- -neg- -3s.intr because s/he belief- -erg
The king's court rejected the new queen due to her faith.

Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: xaxajut qaluujut suli iikujut haniyumixi taxahaqi suli mijayuqix, ihihiimixi isummiq suli sulijalaqaxannigiiŋu, igigaixaxu qiimixi hinajihim qajihajuŋiiŋiqi vihuu.


Uvisa suli Ixappix (The Sheep and the Horses — Schleicher's Fable): Xisukaajuaqit uvisahuu ixxapavijijax, kalijaqajuujunigaa vijujuaq qii, yuqijunigaa mijuaq qii, suli viqaqijunigaa qilamik qii. Vigaa uvisahuu ixappahum: “ihigaaŋa uvaŋahuu xijahuu viqavilugu ixappajajiijunigaa”. Vijut ixappix: “xaluuja, uvisaa, ihigaix uvaŋamixi xijix viqavilugu manna: viqahuu, pujihuu, xaagaa uvisa xisuhuu tiihuu, visajijiiŋuhi ayuaqujuq uvaŋahi xisukaajuaqinu.” Kajunilugu xaluulugu manna, quugaa uvisahuu hixahi.

Vavilun Paaniahuu (The Tower of Babel):

  1. Sajiijigaa iluqaqiluuhuu tanaqupaaluk qii, qii vipaaluhuu vipiiŋu.
  2. Qavijunilugu viqixi Huusajihip, kugaat qii palit Sinnaal gulunisiluvajunu paana iŋmimix.
  3. Vigaix qiimixi hinajihim: “qilamihalijuŋ suli viqinalaniagivut.” Qijasulijalaqamihagaix hixamalix suli pijum laavulaluaq.
  4. Huujij vijut: “guluttiijilijuŋ sulijalaqaq paania qajiikkaŋa tayuumix. Xannigiiŋuniasijuli qanihuu suli qilukisigiput iliihuu tiqi.
  5. Ilusuyumajuq Pujis tijagaa kuluhuu suli paaniahuu tiijijuat viqixi.
  6. Vijunu Pujis: ”Tuujiujut qiipaaluk suli tanaquvigaat qiipaaluk aakajunu tiijigaat una. Kaluuŋunaxavixanimisiagai niahuu unaxamijuat mihajut.
  7. Vilik, ilusuyumali suli sulijalaqavalaujilaaput tanaquhuu vijuat mijijax qasunaminiaigaux qiimixi hinajihim.”
  8. Qiluugaili Pujihuu aanahahip tiyuhi, tuujunu guluttiiji.
  9. Aaq Vavilukulaqasujuq, aaq sulijalaqavalaujigaa tanaquhuu iluuyu. Aanahahip Pujihuu qiluugai tiyupi..

Pahaat Uvaŋa (Lord's Prayer)
Pahaat uvaŋa, kiŋa tayuuŋujujin:
Xaviiŋattijuniajuq Ilivix qanihuu.
Viniajuq Ilivix Tisaattuu.
Mihaxisijuq Ilivix iluuqiiŋuhuu.
Qajittigu uvaŋamix hilihuu iluuyu.
Pujuimuulagittigu uvaŋamix qajigijaxujiihix, pujuimuulagigivuli qajigijaxujimix.
Yumajiuŋnu killuhim, uujau qaluujit huuqihum.
Aaq Ilivihuu Tisaattuuŋujuq, vixuŋujuq, suli qijaqunatujuq, simavihi.
Unauniajuq.