Minhast: Difference between revisions

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One suffix originating from the Gull Speaker dialect, ''-ru'', derives locative nouns from verbs. This suffix is the hallmark of the dialect, although the suffix has appeared in the City Speaker dialect, and its use appears to be increasing.

One major derivational affix that is associated with nouns is the suffix ''-ast'', which forms demonyms. Ironically, the word ''Minhast'' was not derived from this affix; it was derived from Proto-Minhast ''Nēn u ~~θiyatsə~~'' or ''Nēn u ~~θiyats~~'', which means "The True People Who Use the Spear" (c.f. Nankôre ''nan'' "human", Nahónda ''non, nahón'' "the People").

One major derivational affix that is associated with nouns is the suffix ''-ast'', which forms demonyms. Ironically, the word ''Minhast'' was not derived from this affix; it was derived from Proto-Minhast ''Nēn u θyatsə'' or ''Nēn u θyats'', which means "The True People Who Use the Spear" (c.f. Nankôre ''nan'' "human", Nahónda ''non, nahón'' "the People").

A few non-productive derivational suffixes occur occasionally in the standard language, with increasing frequency in the Upper Minhast dialects. These affixes are considered fossilized, but Classical Minhast texts indicate they could be generated spontaneously. The most common ones found in the standard language are:

* ''-(u)mbāt'': found mostly in collective nouns, and some abstract nouns. These nouns have been borrowed directly from the Salmonic dialects and Classical Minhast;

* ''-m'': derives locative nouns and sometimes verbal nouns. Survives with some frequency in some Salmon Speaker toponyms and a few rare instances in the Horse Speaker dialect;

* ''-pnis'': habitual activities. In Modern Standard Minhast, words containing this suffix indicate Upper Minhast origins;

* ''-niwak'': habitual activities that occur daily; sometimes indicates a profession. Most noticeable in the term ''hupniwak'', tools associated with carrying out daily functions, e.g. a flintstone for lighting fire (this term has also become a derogatory term for the City Speakers, since they serve as "tools" for administering domestic policy

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 One suffix originating from the Gull Speaker dialect, ''-ru'', derives locative nouns from verbs.  This suffix is the hallmark of the dialect, although the suffix has appeared in the City Speaker dialect, and its use appears to be increasing.
-One major derivational affix that is associated with nouns is the suffix ''-ast'', which forms demonyms.  Ironically, the word ''Minhast'' was not derived from this affix; it was derived from Proto-Minhast ''Nēn u θiyatsə'' or ''Nēn u θiyats'', which means "The True People Who Use the Spear" (c.f. Nankôre ''nan'' "human", Nahónda ''non, nahón'' "the People").
+One major derivational affix that is associated with nouns is the suffix ''-ast'', which forms demonyms.  Ironically, the word ''Minhast'' was not derived from this affix; it was derived from Proto-Minhast ''Nēn u θyatsə'' or ''Nēn u θyats'', which means "The True People Who Use the Spear" (c.f. Nankôre ''nan'' "human", Nahónda ''non, nahón'' "the People").
+A few non-productive derivational suffixes occur occasionally in the standard language, with increasing frequency in the Upper Minhast dialects.  These affixes are considered fossilized, but Classical Minhast texts indicate they could be generated spontaneously.  The most common ones found in the standard language are:
+* ''-(u)mbāt'': found mostly in collective nouns, and some abstract nouns.  These nouns have been borrowed directly from the Salmonic dialects and Classical Minhast;
+* ''-m'': derives locative nouns and sometimes verbal nouns.  Survives with some frequency in some Salmon Speaker toponyms and a few rare instances in the Horse Speaker dialect;
+* ''-pnis'': habitual activities.  In Modern Standard Minhast, words containing this suffix indicate Upper Minhast origins;
+* ''-niwak'': habitual activities that occur daily; sometimes indicates a profession.  Most noticeable in the term ''hupniwak'', tools associated with carrying out daily functions, e.g. a flintstone for lighting fire (this term has also become a derogatory term for the City Speakers, since they serve as "tools" for administering domestic policy
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