Maltcégj: Difference between revisions

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* Primary stress is indicated in words of more than one syllable with an acute accent over the primary vowel. In diphthongs, the accent is placed on the first vowel.
* Primary stress is indicated in words of more than one syllable with an acute accent over the primary vowel. In diphthongs, the accent is placed on the first vowel.
* Where two vowels appear together but are ''not'' a diphthong, the second vowel is marked with a diæresis if it is a front vowel, or with a single dot if a back vowel (i.e. ï, ÿ, ë, ȧ, ǫ̇, ȯ, u̇), e.g. oï.  
* Where two vowels appear together but are ''not'' a diphthong, the second vowel is marked with a diæresis if it is a front vowel, or with a single dot if a back vowel (i.e. ï, ÿ, ë, ȧ, ǫ̇, ȯ, u̇), e.g. oï.  
**Even if this would not result in a standard diphthong, this convention is still followed any time there are two disyllabic pertingent vowels, e.g. ''kúluï'' 'all', ''itáliȧ'' 'Italy'.  
**Even if this would not result in a standard diphthong, this convention is still followed any time there are two disyllabic pertingent vowels, e.g. ''kúluï'' ‘all’, ''itáliȧ'' ‘Italy’.  
**If the second vowel is stressed, however, the first vowel is marked instead, e.g. italiáno → ''italïáno'' 'Italian'.
**If the second vowel is stressed, however, the first vowel is marked instead, e.g. italiáno → ''italïáno'' ‘Italian’.
**(NB: This stylistic rule is followed rather loosely, and often only applies to the letters <ë> and <ï>.)
**(NB: This stylistic rule is followed rather loosely, and often only applies to the letters <ë> and <ï>.)
* No capital letters are used.
* No capital letters are used.
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
|colspan="3"| '''Unvoiced''' ||colspan="3"| '''Voiced'''
|colspan=3| '''Unvoiced''' ||colspan=3| '''Voiced'''
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''p''' ||valign="top"| /p/ || as in '''p'''ut<br>'''''p'''ul'' [pʰul] 'he' ||valign="top"| '''b''' ||valign="top"| /b/ || as in '''b'''at<br>'''''b'''adj'' [bʰaʤ] 'to have'
|valign="top"| '''p''' ||valign="top"| /p/ || as in '''p'''ut<br>'''''p'''ul'' [pʰul] ‘he’ ||valign="top"| '''b''' ||valign="top"| /b/ || as in '''b'''at<br>'''''b'''adj'' [bʰaʤ] ‘to have’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''t''' ||valign="top"| /t/ || as in '''t'''op<br>'''''t'''alp'' [tʰɑlp] 'head' ||valign="top"| '''d''' ||valign="top"| /d/ || as in '''d'''og<br>'''''d'''ið'' [dʰið] 'beautiful'
|valign="top"| '''t''' ||valign="top"| /t/ || as in '''t'''op<br>'''''t'''alp'' [tʰɑlp] ‘head’ ||valign="top"| '''d''' ||valign="top"| /d/ || as in '''d'''og<br>'''''d'''ið'' [dʰið] ‘beautiful’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''k''' ||valign="top"| /k/ || as in '''k'''eep<br>'''''k'''at'' [kʰɑt] 'dry' ||valign="top"| '''g''' ||valign="top"| /g/ || as in '''g'''et<br>'''''g'''elk'' [gʰɛlk] 'to give'
|valign="top"| '''k''' ||valign="top"| /k/ || as in '''k'''eep<br>'''''k'''at'' [kʰɑt] ‘dry’ ||valign="top"| '''g''' ||valign="top"| /g/ || as in '''g'''et<br>'''''g'''elk'' [gʰɛlk] ‘to give’
|-
|-
|}
|}
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
|colspan="3"| '''Unvoiced''' ||colspan="3"| '''Voiced'''
|colspan=3| '''Unvoiced''' ||colspan=3| '''Voiced'''
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''pf''' ||valign="top"| /p͡f / || as in German '''''Pf'''erd''<br>'''''pf'''atɮ'' [p͡fɑt͡ɬ] 'spit' ||valign="top"| '''bv''' ||valign="top"| /b͡v / || as in o'''bv'''ious <br>'''''bv'''rac'' [bvɾɑʃ] 'sparrow'
|valign="top"| '''pf''' ||valign="top"| /p͡f / || as in German '''''Pf'''erd''<br>'''''pf'''atɮ'' [p͡fɑt͡ɬ] ‘spit’ ||valign="top"| '''bv''' ||valign="top"| /b͡v / || as in o'''bv'''ious <br>'''''bv'''rac'' [bvɾɑʃ] ‘sparrow’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''ts''' ||valign="top"| /ʦ/ || as in ge'''ts'''<br>''fran'''ts''''' [fɾɑnʦ] 'France' ||valign="top"| '''dz''' ||valign="top"| /ʣ/ || as in a'''dz'''e<br>''xan'''dz''''' [xɑnʣ] 'Chinese character'
|valign="top"| '''ts''' ||valign="top"| /ʦ/ || as in ge'''ts'''<br>''fran'''ts''''' [fɾɑnʦ] ‘France’ ||valign="top"| '''dz''' ||valign="top"| /ʣ/ || as in a'''dz'''e<br>''xan'''dz''''' [xɑnʣ] ‘Chinese character’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''tc''' ||valign="top"| /ʧ/ || as in '''ch'''ur'''ch'''<br>'''''tc'''itsíc'' [ʧi'ʦiʃ] 'to sneeze' ||valign="top"| '''dj''' ||valign="top"| /ʤ/ || as in '''j'''u'''dge'''<br>'''''dj'''áska'' ['ʤɑskɑ] 'cinnamon'
|valign="top"| '''tc''' ||valign="top"| /ʧ/ || as in '''ch'''ur'''ch'''<br>'''''tc'''itsíc'' [ʧi’ʦiʃ] ‘to sneeze’ ||valign="top"| '''dj''' ||valign="top"| /ʤ/ || as in '''j'''u'''dge'''<br>'''''dj'''áska'' [‘ʤɑskɑ] ‘cinnamon’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''tɮ''' ||valign="top"| /ƛ (t͡ɬ)/ || as <ll> in Icelandic ''a'''ll'''a''<br>''txa'''tɮ''''' [txɑt͡ɬ] 'slap' ||valign="top"| '''dɮ''' ||valign="top"| /λ (d͡ɮ)/ || as in Xhosa ''in'''dl'''ovu''<br>''ó'''dɮ'''o'' ['o.d͡ɮo] 'mouth'
|valign="top"| '''tɮ''' ||valign="top"| /ƛ (t͡ɬ)/ || as <ll> in Icelandic ''a'''ll'''a''<br>''txa'''tɮ''''' [txɑt͡ɬ] ‘slap’ ||valign="top"| '''dɮ''' ||valign="top"| /λ (d͡ɮ)/ || as in Xhosa ''in'''dl'''ovu''<br>''ó'''dɮ'''o'' [‘o.d͡ɮo] ‘mouth’
|-
|-
|}
|}


There are eight "pure" affricates in Maltcégj, though none are represented by their own unique character.  For more information, see Consonant Clusters, below.
There are eight “pure” affricates in Maltcégj, though none are represented by their own unique character.  For more information, see Consonant Clusters, below.


'''Fricatives'''
'''Fricatives'''
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
|colspan="3"| '''Unvoiced''' ||colspan="3"| '''Voiced'''
|colspan=3| '''Unvoiced''' ||colspan=3| '''Voiced'''
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''f''' ||valign="top"| /f/ || as in '''f'''oot<br>'''''f'''aurx'' [fau̯ɾx] 'heat'||valign="top"| '''v''' ||valign="top"| /v/ || as in '''v'''ery<br>'''''v'''íktro ['vik.tɾo] 'tree'
|valign="top"| '''f''' ||valign="top"| /f/ || as in '''f'''oot<br>'''''f'''aurx'' [fau̯ɾx] ‘heat’||valign="top"| '''v''' ||valign="top"| /v/ || as in '''v'''ery<br>'''''v'''íktro [‘vik.tɾo] ‘tree’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''þ''' ||valign="top"| /θ/ || as <th> in '''th'''ing<br>'''''þ'''ad [θɑd] 'man'||valign="top"| '''ð''' ||valign="top"| /ð/ || as <th> in '''th'''en<br>'''''ð'''ak [ðɑk] 'to say'
|valign="top"| '''þ''' ||valign="top"| /θ/ || as <th> in '''th'''ing<br>'''''þ'''ad [θɑd] ‘man’||valign="top"| '''ð''' ||valign="top"| /ð/ || as <th> in '''th'''en<br>'''''ð'''ak [ðɑk] ‘to say’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''s''' ||valign="top"| /s/ || as in '''s'''ing<br>'''''s'''alméilo'' [sɑl'mɛi̯.lo] 'apple'||valign="top"| '''z''' ||valign="top"| /z/ || as in '''z'''oo<br>'''''z'''endj'' [zɛnʤ] 'paint'
|valign="top"| '''s''' ||valign="top"| /s/ || as in '''s'''ing<br>'''''s'''alméilo'' [sɑl’mɛi̯.lo] ‘apple’||valign="top"| '''z''' ||valign="top"| /z/ || as in '''z'''oo<br>'''''z'''endj'' [zɛnʤ] ‘paint’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''c''' ||valign="top"| /ʃ/ || as <sh> in '''sh'''oe<br>'''''c'''ul'' [ʃul] 'prophesy'||valign="top"| '''j''' ||valign="top"| /ʒ/ || as in French '''''j'''amais''<br>'''''j'''adíȯ'' [ʒɑ'di.o] 'sun'
|valign="top"| '''c''' ||valign="top"| /ʃ/ || as <sh> in '''sh'''oe<br>'''''c'''ul'' [ʃul] ‘prophesy’||valign="top"| '''j''' ||valign="top"| /ʒ/ || as in French '''''j'''amais''<br>'''''j'''adíȯ'' [ʒɑ’di.o] ‘sun’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''x''' ||valign="top"| /x/ || as <ch> in German ''Ba'''ch'''''<br>'''''x'''ac'' [xɑʃ] 'difficult'||valign="top"| '''ǧ''' ||valign="top"| /γ/ || as <g> in Spanish ''ami'''g'''o''<br>'''''ǧ'''énba'' ['γɛn.bɑ] 'apricot'
|valign="top"| '''x''' ||valign="top"| /x/ || as <ch> in German ''Ba'''ch'''''<br>'''''x'''ac'' [xɑʃ] ‘difficult’||valign="top"| '''ǧ''' ||valign="top"| /γ/ || as <g> in Spanish ''ami'''g'''o''<br>'''''ǧ'''énba'' [‘γɛn.bɑ] ‘apricot’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''h''' ||valign="top"| /h/ || as in '''h'''ello<br>'''''h'''anák'' [hɑ'nɑk] 'person, human'
|valign="top"| '''h''' ||valign="top"| /h/ || as in '''h'''ello<br>'''''h'''anák'' [hɑ’nɑk] ‘person, human’
|-
|-
|}
|}
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''m''' ||valign="top"| /m/ || as in '''m'''an<br>'''''m'''árga'' ['mɑɾ.ga] 'house'
|valign="top"| '''m''' ||valign="top"| /m/ || as in '''m'''an<br>'''''m'''árga'' [‘mɑɾ.ga] ‘house’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''n''' ||valign="top"| /n/ || as in '''n'''ose<br>'''''n'''yj''  [nɪʒ] 'grain'
|valign="top"| '''n''' ||valign="top"| /n/ || as in '''n'''ose<br>'''''n'''yj''  [nɪʒ] ‘grain’
|-
|-
|}
|}


NB: There is no realization of as nasal as /ŋ/, even before a velar obstruent. In many cases, an epenthetic <e> may intervene between <n> and a velar (e.g. ''hánek'' 'grandfather', from ''Hank''), but even when it does not, the letters are pronounced independently (e.g. '''gýnko''' /'gɪn.ko/ 'ginko', not **/'gɪŋ.ko/).
NB: There is no realization of as nasal as /ŋ/, even before a velar obstruent. In many cases, an epenthetic <e> may intervene between <n> and a velar (e.g. ''hánek'' ‘grandfather’, from ''Hank''), but even when it does not, the letters are pronounced independently (e.g. '''gýnko''' /’gɪn.ko/ ‘ginko’, not **/’gɪŋ.ko/).


'''Liquids'''
'''Liquids'''
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| '''l''' || /l/ || as in '''l'''amb<br>'''''l'''exét'' [lɛ'xɛt] 'much, many'
| '''l''' || /l/ || as in '''l'''amb<br>'''''l'''exét'' [lɛ’xɛt] ‘much, many’
|-
|-
| '''r''' || /ɾ/ || as in Spanish ''pe'''r'''o''<br>'''''r'''áta ['ɾɑ.tɑ] 'child'
| '''r''' || /ɾ/ || as in Spanish ''pe'''r'''o''<br>'''''r'''áta [‘ɾɑ.tɑ] ‘child’
|-
|-
| '''ɮ''' || /ɮ,ɬ/* || as in Zulu ''in'''dl'''ala<br>'''''ɮ'''at'' [ɮɑt] 'tooth'
| '''ɮ''' || /ɮ,ɬ/* || as in Zulu ''in'''dl'''ala<br>'''''ɮ'''at'' [ɮɑt] ‘tooth’
|-
|-
| '''ʌ''' || /ɫ̩/**
| '''ʌ''' || /ɫ̩/**
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|}
|}


<nowiki>*</nowiki> <ɮ> becomes devoiced to /ɬ/ when it occurs adjacent to an unvoiced obstruent (most frequently in the clusters <pɮ>, <tɮ>, and <kɮ>), e.g. ''txa'''tɮ''''' [txɑt͡ɬ] 'slap'.
<nowiki>*</nowiki> <ɮ> becomes devoiced to /ɬ/ when it occurs adjacent to an unvoiced obstruent (most frequently in the clusters <pɮ>, <tɮ>, and <kɮ>), e.g. ''txa'''tɮ''''' [txɑt͡ɬ] ‘slap’.


<nowiki>**</nowiki> While technically liquids, <ʌ> and <ʀ> never occur non-syllabically, and are better treated as vowels.
<nowiki>**</nowiki> While technically liquids, <ʌ> and <ʀ> never occur non-syllabically, and are better treated as vowels.
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''w''' ||valign="top"| /w/ || as in '''w'''ood<br>'''''w'''ʌf'' [wɫ̩f] 'bone'
|valign="top"| '''w''' ||valign="top"| /w/ || as in '''w'''ood<br>'''''w'''ʌf'' [wɫ̩f] ‘bone’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''ẏ''' ||valign="top"| /j/ || as <y> in '''y'''ou<br>'''''ẏ'''ála'' ['jɑ.lɑ] 'bird'
|valign="top"| '''ẏ''' ||valign="top"| /j/ || as <y> in '''y'''ou<br>'''''ẏ'''ála'' [‘jɑ.lɑ] ‘bird’
|-
|-
|}
|}
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
|colspan="3"| '''Front''' ||colspan="3"| '''Back'''
|colspan=3| '''Front''' ||colspan=3| '''Back'''
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''i''' || /i/ || as <ee> in b'''ee'''t<br>'''''í'''lǫx'' ['i.lɔx] 'knee'||valign="top"| '''u''' || /u/ || as <oo> in b'''oo'''t<br>'''''u'''cát'' [u'ʃɑt] 'mustard'
|valign="top"| '''i''' || /i/ || as <ee> in b'''ee'''t<br>'''''í'''lǫx'' [‘i.lɔx] ‘knee’||valign="top"| '''u''' || /u/ || as <oo> in b'''oo'''t<br>'''''u'''cát'' [u’ʃɑt] ‘mustard’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''y''' || /ɪ/ || as <nowiki><i></nowiki> in b'''i'''t<br>'''''y'''lk'' [ɪlk] 'louse, nit'||valign="top"| '''o''' || /o/ || as <oa> in b'''oa'''t<br>''tc'''o'''k'' [ʧok] 'to go'
|valign="top"| '''y''' || /ɪ/ || as <nowiki>''</nowiki> in b'''i'''t<br>'''''y'''lk'' [ɪlk] ‘louse, nit’||valign="top"| '''o''' || /o/ || as <oa> in b'''oa'''t<br>''tc'''o'''k'' [ʧok] ‘to go’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''e''' || /ɛ/ || as in b'''e'''t<br>'''''é'''jva'' ['ɛʒ.vɑ] 'mouse'||valign="top"| '''ǫ''' || /ɔ/ || as <ou> in b'''ou'''ght<br>'''''ǫ́'''bri'' [.bɾi] 'niece'
|valign="top"| '''e''' || /ɛ/ || as in b'''e'''t<br>'''''é'''jva'' [‘ɛʒ.vɑ] ‘mouse’||valign="top"| '''ǫ''' || /ɔ/ || as <ou> in b'''ou'''ght<br>'''''ǫ́'''bri'' [‘ɔ.bɾi] ‘niece’
|-
|-
|colspan="3"| || '''a''' || /ɑ/ ||as in f'''a'''ther<br>'''''a'''dín'''a''''' [ɑ'di.nɑ] 'sister'
|colspan=3| || '''a''' || /ɑ/ ||as in f'''a'''ther<br>'''''a'''dín'''a''''' [ɑ’di.nɑ] ‘sister’
|-
|-
|}
|}
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''ʌ''' ||valign="top"| /ɫ̩/ || as <le> in midd'''le'''<br>'''''ʌ́'''nax'' ['ɫ̩.nɑx] 'shopping'
|valign="top"| '''ʌ''' ||valign="top"| /ɫ̩/ || as <le> in midd'''le'''<br>'''''ʌ́'''nax'' [‘ɫ̩.nɑx] ‘shopping’
|-
|-
|valign="top"| '''ʀ''' ||valign="top"| /ɹ̩/ || as <er> in bett'''er'''<br>''w'''ʀ'''n'' [wɹ̩n] '(maternal) grandparent'
|valign="top"| '''ʀ''' ||valign="top"| /ɹ̩/ || as <er> in bett'''er'''<br>''w'''ʀ'''n'' [wɹ̩n] (maternal) grandparent’
|-
|-
|}
|}
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! Front !! !! !! Back !! !!
! Front !! !! !! Back !! !!
|-
|-
|valign="top"|  '''ai''' ||valign="top"|  /ɑi̯/ || as <i> in h'''i'''gh<br>''skw'''ai''''' [skwɑi̯] 'lemon'||valign="top"|  '''au''' ||valign="top"| /au̯/ || as in German ''H'''au'''s''<br>''ml'''au''''' [mlau̯] 'what'
|valign="top"|  '''ai''' ||valign="top"|  /ɑi̯/ || as '' in h'''i'''gh<br>''skw'''ai''''' [skwɑi̯] ‘lemon’||valign="top"|  '''au''' ||valign="top"| /au̯/ || as in German ''H'''au'''s''<br>''ml'''au''''' [mlau̯] ‘what’
|-
|-
|valign="top"|  '''ei''' ||valign="top"|  /ei̯/ || as in w'''ei'''gh<br>'''''ei'''ct'' [ei̯ʃt] 'game'||valign="top"|  '''eu''' ||valign="top"| /ɛu̯/ || as <ew> in Welsh '''''ew''ro'''<br>''ð'''eu'''p'' [ðɛu̯p] 'foot'
|valign="top"|  '''ei''' ||valign="top"|  /ei̯/ || as in w'''ei'''gh<br>'''''ei'''ct'' [ei̯ʃt] ‘game’||valign="top"|  '''eu''' ||valign="top"| /ɛu̯/ || as <ew> in Welsh '''''ew''ro'''<br>''ð'''eu'''p'' [ðɛu̯p] ‘foot’
|-
|-
|valign="top"|  '''oi''' ||valign="top"|  /ɔi̯/ || as in '''oi'''l<br>''m'''oi'''n'' [mɔi̯n] 'warmth'
|valign="top"|  '''oi''' ||valign="top"|  /ɔi̯/ || as in '''oi'''l<br>''m'''oi'''n'' [mɔi̯n] ‘warmth’
|-
|-
|}
|}
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In fact, pronouns in Maltcégj are even a little simpler than those in English, because there are no cases to decline. Possessives (''my'', ''your'', ''his'', ''our'', &c.) are formed by adding the preposition ''u-'' to the word being possessed, and the accusative case (''me'', ''him'', ''her'', ''them'', &c.) by adding the postposition ''-a'' to the pronoun.
In fact, pronouns in Maltcégj are even a little simpler than those in English, because there are no cases to decline. Possessives (''my'', ''your'', ''his'', ''our'', &c.) are formed by adding the preposition ''u-'' to the word being possessed, and the accusative case (''me'', ''him'', ''her'', ''them'', &c.) by adding the postposition ''-a'' to the pronoun.


The reflexive pronouns are used when the verb of the sentence is being done ''to'' the subject of the sentence ''by'' the subject of the sentence; that is to say, when we would use the word "-self" in English (e.g. myself, yourself, yourselves, themselves, &c.)
The reflexive pronouns are used when the verb of the sentence is being done ''to'' the subject of the sentence ''by'' the subject of the sentence; that is to say, when we would use the word -self” in English (e.g. myself, yourself, yourselves, themselves, &c.)


The reciprocal pronouns are similar to the reflexive (and in many languages they are identical), but they apply only to plural subjects when the action of the verb is being done to another member of the same plural group. (In English this is generally translated as “each other”. Compare, for example:
The reciprocal pronouns are similar to the reflexive (and in many languages they are identical), but they apply only to plural subjects when the action of the verb is being done to another member of the same plural group. (In English this is generally translated as “each other.”) Compare, for example:


''blaiðák parþ '''pyldj'''''<br />
''blaiðák parþ '''pyldj'''''<br />
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Compound numbers are spoken as they are written in English, from left to right, (optionally) inserting indicators for tens, hundreds, thousands, &c., so “twenty-nine” is ''daiséþ nein'' ‘two tens nine’, while 3,587 is ''transéþ fremsám relkséþ dan'' ‘three tens five hundreds eight tens seven, or thirty-five hundred eighty-seven’. Easier still, and less subject to misinterpretation, the numbers can simply be read from right to left, as in ''tran frem relk dan'' ‘three five eight seven’. These are all correct, just as it’s correct in English to say “three thousand five hundred eighty-seven,” “thirty-five hundred and eighty-seven,” “thirty-five eighty-seven,” or even (somewhat less correctly) “three five eight seven.”   
Compound numbers are spoken as they are written in English, from left to right, (optionally) inserting indicators for tens, hundreds, thousands, &c., so “twenty-nine” is ''daiséþ nein'' ‘two tens nine’, while 3,587 is ''transéþ fremsám relkséþ dan'' ‘three tens five hundreds eight tens seven, or thirty-five hundred eighty-seven’. Easier still, and less subject to misinterpretation, the numbers can simply be read from right to left, as in ''tran frem relk dan'' ‘three five eight seven’. These are all correct, just as it’s correct in English to say “three thousand five hundred eighty-seven,” “thirty-five hundred and eighty-seven,” “thirty-five eighty-seven,” or even (somewhat less correctly) “three five eight seven.”   


The number “zero” should always be read as ''zo'', not ''bleg'', though the two words are interchangeable in some circumstances. When the last digit is zero, however, it should be read as “''seþ'',” or “''sam''if two zeros… It may sound a little strange, but we do the same thing in English. For example, 780 should be read ''dan relk seþ'' ‘seven eighty’; 7,800, ''dan relk sam'' ‘seventy-eight hundred’; 78,000, ''dan relk seþ sam'', ‘seventy-eight thousand, &c.
The number “zero” should always be read as ''zo'', not ''bleg'', though the two words are interchangeable in some circumstances. When the last digit is zero, however, it should be read as “''seþ'',” or “''sam''if two zeros… It may sound a little strange, but we do the same thing in English. For example, 780 should be read ''dan relk seþ'' ‘seven eighty’; 7,800, ''dan relk sam'' ‘seventy-eight hundred’; 78,000, ''dan relk seþ sam'', ‘seventy-eight thousand, &c.


With the exception of the number ‘one’, the particle ''gji'' indicates ordinality, much like the suffix ''-th'' for numbers 4 – 10 in English. Any number ending in ‘one’ takes the ordinal ''adám'', just as we say first and second in English rather than ''**oneth'' or ''**twoth''.
With the exception of the number ‘one’, the particle ''gji'' indicates ordinality, much like the suffix ''-th'' for numbers 4 – 10 in English. Any number ending in ‘one’ takes the ordinal ''adám'', just as we say first and second in English rather than ''**oneth'' or ''**twoth''.
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!  !! Interrogative !! Relative !! Negative
!  !! Interrogative !! Relative !! Negative
|-
|-
| Base forms: || <center>''mlau'' ('what')</center> || <center>''kalk'' ('that, which')</center> || <center>''bleg'' ('no')</center>
| Base forms: || <center>''mlau'' (‘what’)</center> || <center>''kalk'' (‘that, which’)</center> || <center>''bleg'' (‘no’)</center>
|-
|-
| '''''lað''''' ('person') || ''lað mlau, mlað'' ('who') || ''klað, kalk'' ('who') || ''lað bleg, blað'' ('no one')
| '''''lað''''' (‘person’) || ''lað mlau, mlað'' (‘who’) || ''klað, kalk'' (‘who’) || ''lað bleg, blað'' (‘no one’)
|-
|-
| '''''lak''''' ('agent') || ''lak mlau, mlak'' ('what') || ''klak, kalk'' ('that') || ''lak bleg, blak'' ('nothing')
| '''''lak''''' (‘agent’) || ''lak mlau, mlak'' (‘what’) || ''klak, kalk'' (‘that’) || ''lak bleg, blak'' (‘nothing’)
|-
|-
| '''''ðrax''''' ('thing') || ''ðrax mlau, mlax'' ('what') || ''klax, kalk'' ('which') || ''ðrax bleg, blax'' ('nothing')
| '''''ðrax''''' (‘thing’) || ''ðrax mlau, mlax'' (‘what’) || ''klax, kalk'' (‘which’) || ''ðrax bleg, blax'' (‘nothing’)
|-
|-
| '''''arán''''' ('place') || ''arán mlau, mlarán'' ('where') || ''klarán'' ('where') || ''arán bleg, bláran'' ('nowhere')
| '''''arán''''' (‘place’) || ''arán mlau, mlarán'' (‘where’) || ''klarán'' (‘where’) || ''arán bleg, bláran'' (‘nowhere’)
|-
|-
| '''''ðlai''''' ('time') || ''ðlai mlau, mlai'' ('when') || ''klai'' ('when') || ''ðlai bleg, blai<sup>2</sup>'' ('never')
| '''''ðlai''''' (‘time’) || ''ðlai mlau, mlai'' (‘when’) || ''klai'' (‘when’) || ''ðlai bleg, blai<sup>2</sup>'' (‘never’)
|-
|-
| '''''kþið''''' ('manner') || ''kþið mlau, mlið'' ('how') || ''klið'' ('how') || ''kþið bleg, blið'' ('no way')
| '''''kþið''''' (‘manner’) || ''kþið mlau, mlið'' (‘how’) || ''klið'' (‘how’) || ''kþið bleg, blið'' (‘no way’)
|-
|-
| '''''mára''''' ('quantity') || ''mára mlau, mlára'' ('how much/many') || ''klára'' ('how much/many') || ''mára bleg, blára'' ('none')
| '''''mára''''' (‘quantity’) || ''mára mlau, mlára'' (‘how much/many’) || ''klára'' (‘how much/many’) || ''mára bleg, blára'' (‘none’)
|-
|-
| '''''hímiem<sup>1</sup>''''' ('reason') || ''mlímiem'' ('why') || ''klímiem'' ('why') || ''blímiem'' ('for no reason')
| '''''hímiem<sup>1</sup>''''' (‘reason’) || ''mlímiem'' (‘why’) || ''klímiem'' (‘why’) || ''blímiem'' (‘for no reason’)
|-
|-
!  !! Proximal !! Medial !! Distal
!  !! Proximal !! Medial !! Distal
|-
|-
| Base forms: || <center>''jála, úli'' ('this')</center> || <center>''ðóra, úla'' ('that')</center> || <center>''þa, ulót'' ('yonder')</center>
| Base forms: || <center>''jála, úli'' (‘this’)</center> || <center>''ðóra, úla'' (‘that’)</center> || <center>''þa, ulót'' (‘yonder’)</center>
|-
|-
| '''''lað''''' ('person') || ''lað úli, jlað'' ('this person') || ''lað úla, ðrað'' ('that person') || ''lað ulót, þlað'' ('the other person')
| '''''lað''''' (‘person’) || ''lað úli, jlað'' (‘this person’) || ''lað úla, ðrað'' (‘that person’) || ''lað ulót, þlað'' (‘the other person’)
|-
|-
| '''''lak''''' ('agent') || ''lak úli, jlak'' ('this thing') || ''lak úla, ðrak'' ('that thing') || ''lak ulót, þlak'' ('the other thing')
| '''''lak''''' (‘agent’) || ''lak úli, jlak'' (‘this thing’) || ''lak úla, ðrak'' (‘that thing’) || ''lak ulót, þlak'' (‘the other thing’)
|-
|-
| '''''ðrax''''' ('thing') || ''ðrax úli, jlax'' ('this') || ''ðrax úla, ðrax'' ('that') || ''ðrax ulót, þlax'' ('that (other)')
| '''''ðrax''''' (‘thing’) || ''ðrax úli, jlax'' (‘this’) || ''ðrax úla, ðrax'' (‘that’) || ''ðrax ulót, þlax'' (‘that (other))
|-
|-
| '''''arán''''' ('place') || ''jarán, jlarán<sup>3</sup>'' ('here') || ''larán, ðrarán'' ('there') || ''þarán'' ('up there, ahead'), '' þrarán'' ('elsewhere')
| '''''arán''''' (‘place’) || ''jarán, jlarán<sup>3</sup>'' (‘here’) || ''larán, ðrarán'' (‘there’) || ''þarán'' (‘up there, ahead’), '' þrarán'' (‘elsewhere’)
|-
|-
| '''''ðlai''''' ('time') || ''jaðlai, jlai, nak'' ('now') || ''laðlai, ðraðlai, nos'' ('then') || ''þaðlai'' ('in the future'), ''þraðlái'' ('some other time')
| '''''ðlai''''' (‘time’) || ''jaðlai, jlai, nak'' (‘now’) || ''laðlai, ðraðlai, nos'' (‘then’) || ''þaðlai'' (‘in the future’), ''þraðlái'' (‘some other time’)
|-
|-
| '''''kþið''''' ('manner') || ''kþið úli, jlið'' ('like this') || ''kþið úla, ðrið'' ('like that') || ''þkíð'' ('some other way')
| '''''kþið''''' (‘manner’) || ''kþið úli, jlið'' (‘like this’) || ''kþið úla, ðrið'' (‘like that’) || ''þkíð'' (‘some other way’)
|-
|-
| '''''mára''''' ('quantity') || ''mára úli, márað'' ('this much') || ''mára úla, márað'' ('that much') || ''mára ulót'' ('that other amount')
| '''''mára''''' (‘quantity’) || ''mára úli, márað'' (‘this much’) || ''mára úla, márað'' (‘that much’) || ''mára ulót'' (‘that other amount’)
|-
|-
| '''''hímiem<sup>1</sup>''''' ('reason') ||colspan="2"| ''ðrímiem'' ('because') || ''þrímiem'' ('for that reason')
| '''''hímiem<sup>1</sup>''''' (‘reason’) ||colspan=2| ''ðrímiem'' (‘because’) || ''þrímiem'' (‘for that reason’)
|-
|-
|}
|}


<sup>1</sup> The word ''hímiem'' ('reason') is no longer used, but lives on in the pro-form contractions, where it is used exclusively over its nominal replacement, ''frulúþ''.
<sup>1</sup> The word ''hímiem'' (‘reason’) is no longer used, but lives on in the pro-form contractions, where it is used exclusively over its nominal replacement, ''frulúþ''.


<sup>2</sup> While ''blai'' may still be found in some texts, it is not generally used due to its homophonous relationship with the progressive particle (see [[Maltcégj#Verbs|Verbs]]).
<sup>2</sup> While ''blai'' may still be found in some texts, it is not generally used due to its homophonous relationship with the progressive particle (see [[Maltcégj#Verbs|Verbs]]).
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For example:
For example:


''téfʌðu'' 'table'<br>
''téfʌðu'' ‘table’<br>
'''''ak'''téfʌðu'' 'tables'<br>
'''''ak'''téfʌðu'' ‘tables’<br>
''téfʌðu jamp'' 'four tables'<br>
''téfʌðu jamp'' ‘four tables’<br>
''téfʌðu lexét'' 'many tables'
''téfʌðu lexét'' ‘many tables’


== Adpositions ==
== Adpositions ==


Adpositions in Maltcégj are generally suffixed to the nouns they modify. They undergo very little inflection (so it is not considered a case system per se), but there is some variation in some nouns which end in vowels, as shown below. (Nouns can only end in the vowels <nowiki><i></nowiki>, <a>, <ǫ>, <o>, and <nowiki><u></nowiki>. Nouns cannot end in <e> or <y>. Nouns ending in <ʌ> take regular consonant endings except before ''-ʌ'' and ''-ʌk'', where the final <ʌ> of the noun becomes <l>. Nouns ending in <ʀ> take regular consonant endings except before ''-ʀ'', which becomes ''-hʀ''. Most changes, however, simply involve adding an epenthetic <h> before the prefix or adding a diæresis or dot to the vowel of the adposition.
Adpositions in Maltcégj are generally suffixed to the nouns they modify. They undergo very little inflection (so it is not considered a case system per se), but there is some variation in some nouns which end in vowels, as shown below. (Nouns can only end in the vowels <nowiki>''</nowiki>, <a>, <ǫ>, <o>, and <nowiki><u></nowiki>. Nouns cannot end in <e> or <y>. Nouns ending in <ʌ> take regular consonant endings except before ''-ʌ'' and ''-ʌk'', where the final <ʌ> of the noun becomes <l>. Nouns ending in <ʀ> take regular consonant endings except before ''-ʀ'', which becomes ''-hʀ''. Most changes, however, simply involve adding an epenthetic <h> before the prefix or adding a diæresis or dot to the vowel of the adposition.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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! C#-  !! [i]#-  !! [a,ǫ]#-  !! [o,u]#-  !! Example  !! Pronoun Type !! Eng.  !! Ger.  !! Lat.  !! Esp.  !! Notes
! C#-  !! [i]#-  !! [a,ǫ]#-  !! [o,u]#-  !! Example  !! Pronoun Type !! Eng.  !! Ger.  !! Lat.  !! Esp.  !! Notes
|-
|-
| '''''-'''''  || ''-i- ''  || ''-a-''  || ''-o- ''  || ''ek klag gnir.''<brThe book is green.' || Nominative  || -  || (''Nom.'')  || (''Nom.'')  || -  || Subject.
| '''''-'''''  || ''-i- ''  || ''-a-''  || ''-o- ''  || ''ek klag gnir.''<brThe book is green. || Nominative  || -  || (''Nom.'')  || (''Nom.'')  || -  || Subject.
|-
|-
| '''''a'''''  || ''-iȧ ''  || ''-aha''  || ''-oȧ ''  || ''dydkulóm jǫg klág'''a'''.''<br>'I saw '''the book'''.' || Accusative  || -  || (''Acc.'')  || (''Acc.'')  || -n  || Direct object.
| '''''a'''''  || ''-iȧ ''  || ''-aha''  || ''-oȧ ''  || ''dydkulóm jǫg klág'''a'''.''<br>‘I saw '''the book'''. || Accusative  || -  || (''Acc.'')  || (''Acc.'')  || -n  || Direct object.
|-
|-
| '''''að'''''  || ''-iȧð ''  || ''-ahað''  || ''-oȧð ''  || 'to the book' || Dative  || to  || zu (+ ''Dat.'')  || ad  || al  || Indirect object.
| '''''að'''''  || ''-iȧð ''  || ''-ahað''  || ''-oȧð ''  || ‘to the book’ || Dative  || to  || zu (+ ''Dat.'')  || ad  || al  || Indirect object.
|-
|-
| '''''ai'''''  || ''-iȧi ''  || ''-ahai''  || ''-oȧi ''  || 'through (the middle of) the book' || Perlative  || through  || durch (+ ''Acc.'')  || per  ||  ||
| '''''ai'''''  || ''-iȧi ''  || ''-ahai''  || ''-oȧi ''  || ‘through (the middle of) the book’ || Perlative  || through  || durch (+ ''Acc.'')  || per  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''aj'''''  || ''-iȧj ''  || ''-ahaj''  || ''-oȧj ''  || 'during/throughout the book' || Temporal Durative  || during  || während (+ ''Gen.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''aj'''''  || ''-iȧj ''  || ''-ahaj''  || ''-oȧj ''  || ‘during/throughout the book’ || Temporal Durative  || during  || während (+ ''Gen.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ala'''''  || ''-iȧla ''  || ''-ahala''  || ''-oȧla ''  || 'between the books' || Intrative  || between, among  || zwischen, unter (+ ''Dat.'')  || inter  ||  || Automatically implies plural.
| '''''ala'''''  || ''-iȧla ''  || ''-ahala''  || ''-oȧla ''  || ‘between the books’ || Intrative  || between, among  || zwischen, unter (+ ''Dat.'')  || inter  ||  || Automatically implies plural.
|-
|-
| '''''alm'''''  || ''-iȧlm ''  || ''-ahalm''  || ''-oȧlm ''  || 'without the book' || Abesso-caritive  || without  || ohne (+ ''Acc.'')  || sine  ||  ||
| '''''alm'''''  || ''-iȧlm ''  || ''-ahalm''  || ''-oȧlm ''  || ‘without the book’ || Abesso-caritive  || without  || ohne (+ ''Acc.'')  || sine  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''alx'''''  || ''-iȧlx ''  || ''-ahalx''  || ''-oȧlx ''  || 'on (the side of) the book' || Adessive  || on  || an (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''alx'''''  || ''-iȧlx ''  || ''-ahalx''  || ''-oȧlx ''  || ‘on (the side of) the book’ || Adessive  || on  || an (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ap'''''  || ''-iȧp ''  || ''-ahap''  || ''-oȧp ''  || 'on (top of) the book' || Superessive  || on  || auf (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''ap'''''  || ''-iȧp ''  || ''-ahap''  || ''-oȧp ''  || ‘on (top of) the book’ || Superessive  || on  || auf (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''arak'''''  || ''-iȧrak ''  || ''-aharak''  || ''-oȧrak''  || '(leaning) against the book' || Revertive  || against  || gegen (+ ''Acc.'')  || versus  ||  ||
| '''''arak'''''  || ''-iȧrak ''  || ''-aharak''  || ''-oȧrak''  || (leaning) against the book’ || Revertive  || against  || gegen (+ ''Acc.'')  || versus  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''av'''''  || ''-iȧv ''  || ''-ahav''  || ''-oȧv ''  || 'after the book' || Postessive  || following  || folgend, zunächst  || post  ||  ||
| '''''av'''''  || ''-iȧv ''  || ''-ahav''  || ''-oȧv ''  || ‘after the book’ || Postessive  || following  || folgend, zunächst  || post  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''eð'''''  || ''-iëð ''  || ''-aheð''  || ''-oëð ''  || 'around the book' || Circumessive  || around  || um (+ ''Acc.'')  || circum  ||  ||
| '''''eð'''''  || ''-iëð ''  || ''-aheð''  || ''-oëð ''  || ‘around the book’ || Circumessive  || around  || um (+ ''Acc.'')  || circum  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''eki'''''  || ''-iëki ''  || ''-aheki''  || ''-oëki ''  || 'up to/until the book' || Allato-terminative  || until  || bis (+ ''Acc.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''eki'''''  || ''-iëki ''  || ''-aheki''  || ''-oëki ''  || ‘up to/until the book’ || Allato-terminative  || until  || bis (+ ''Acc.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''eloï'''''  || ''-iëloï ''  || ''-aheloï''  || ''-oëloï''  || 'about/concerning the book' ||  || about  || über (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''eloï'''''  || ''-iëloï ''  || ''-aheloï''  || ''-oëloï''  || ‘about/concerning the book’ ||  || about  || über (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''em'''''  || ''-iëm ''  || ''-ahem''  || ''-oëm ''  || 'over/above the book' ||  || over  || über (+ ''Dat.'')  || supra  ||  ||
| '''''em'''''  || ''-iëm ''  || ''-ahem''  || ''-oëm ''  || ‘over/above the book’ ||  || over  || über (+ ''Dat.'')  || supra  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ei'''''  || ''-iëi ''  || ''-ahei''  || ''-oëi ''  || 'in the book' || Inessive  || in  || in (+ ''Dat.'')  || in(tra)  ||  ||
| '''''ei'''''  || ''-iëi ''  || ''-ahei''  || ''-oëi ''  || ‘in the book’ || Inessive  || in  || in (+ ''Dat.'')  || in(tra)  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''fra'''''  || ''-ifra ''  || ''-afra''  || ''-ofra ''  || 'with books' (as in 'strewn')  ||  || with  || mit (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''fra'''''  || ''-ifra ''  || ''-afra''  || ''-ofra ''  || ‘with books’ (as in ‘strewn’)  ||  || with  || mit (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''i'''''  || ''-ihi ''  || ''-ahi''  || ''-oï ''  || 'for the book' || Benefactive  || for  || für (+ ''Acc.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''i'''''  || ''-ihi ''  || ''-ahi''  || ''-oï ''  || ‘for the book’ || Benefactive  || for  || für (+ ''Acc.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ið'''''  || ''-ihið ''  || ''-ahið''  || ''-oïð ''  || 'before/prior to the book' || Temporal  || before  || bevor (+ ''Dat.'')  || ante  ||  ||
| '''''ið'''''  || ''-ihið ''  || ''-ahið''  || ''-oïð ''  || ‘before/prior to the book’ || Temporal  || before  || bevor (+ ''Dat.'')  || ante  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ij'''''  || ''-ihij ''  || ''-ahij''  || ''-oïj ''  || 'after the books' || Temporal  || after, according to  || nach (+ ''Dat.'')  || secundum  || post  ||
| '''''ij'''''  || ''-ihij ''  || ''-ahij''  || ''-oïj ''  || ‘after the books’ || Temporal  || after, according to  || nach (+ ''Dat.'')  || secundum  || post  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ili'''''  || ''-ihili ''  || ''-ahili''  || ''-oïli''  || 'next to/beside/near the book' || Apudessive  || next to  || neben (+ ''Dat.'')  || prope  ||  ||
| '''''ili'''''  || ''-ihili ''  || ''-ahili''  || ''-oïli''  || ‘next to/beside/near the book’ || Apudessive  || next to  || neben (+ ''Dat.'')  || prope  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''im'''''  || ''-ihim ''  || ''-ahim''  || ''-oïm ''  || 'along(side) the books' || Vialis  || along  || (''Dat.''+) entlang  ||  ||  ||
| '''''im'''''  || ''-ihim ''  || ''-ahim''  || ''-oïm ''  || ‘along(side) the books’ || Vialis  || along  || (''Dat.''+) entlang  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''is'''''  || ''-ihis ''  || ''-ahis''  || ''-oïs ''  || 'instead of the book' || Excambiative  || instead of  || statt (+ ''Gen.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''is'''''  || ''-ihis ''  || ''-ahis''  || ''-oïs ''  || ‘instead of the book’ || Excambiative  || instead of  || statt (+ ''Gen.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''it'''''  || ''-ihit ''  || ''-ahit''  || ''-oït ''  || 'behind the book' ||  || behind  || hinter (+ ''Dat.'')  || pone, post  ||  ||
| '''''it'''''  || ''-ihit ''  || ''-ahit''  || ''-oït ''  || ‘behind the book’ ||  || behind  || hinter (+ ''Dat.'')  || pone, post  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''iþ'''''  || ''-ihiþ ''  || ''-ahiþ''  || ''-oïþ ''  || 'under the book' || Subessive  || under  || unter (+ ''Dat.'')  || subter  ||  ||
| '''''iþ'''''  || ''-ihiþ ''  || ''-ahiþ''  || ''-oïþ ''  || ‘under the book’ || Subessive  || under  || unter (+ ''Dat.'')  || subter  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''lef'''''  || ''-ilef ''  || ''-alef''  || ''-olef ''  || 'like the books' || Comparative  || like  || wie (+ ''Nom.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''lef'''''  || ''-ilef ''  || ''-alef''  || ''-olef ''  || ‘like the books’ || Comparative  || like  || wie (+ ''Nom.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ʌ'''''  || ''-il ''  || ''-al''  || ''-ol ''  || 'by the book' || Agentive  || by  || von (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''ʌ'''''  || ''-il ''  || ''-al''  || ''-ol ''  || ‘by the book’ || Agentive  || by  || von (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ʌk'''''  || ''-ilk ''  || ''-alk''  || ''-olk ''  || 'by means of the book' || Instrumental  || with  || mit (+ ''Dat.'')  || cum  ||  ||
| '''''ʌk'''''  || ''-ilk ''  || ''-alk''  || ''-olk ''  || ‘by means of the book’ || Instrumental  || with  || mit (+ ''Dat.'')  || cum  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''o'''''  || ''-iȯ ''  || ''-aho''  || ''-ohȯ ''  || 'from the book' || Delative  || from  || von (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''o'''''  || ''-iȯ ''  || ''-aho''  || ''-ohȯ ''  || ‘from the book’ || Delative  || from  || von (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''oc'''''  || ''-iȯc ''  || ''-ahoc''  || ''-ohȯc ''  || 'at the time of the book' || Temporal  || at the time of  || an (+ ''Acc.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''oc'''''  || ''-iȯc ''  || ''-ahoc''  || ''-ohȯc ''  || ‘at the time of the book’ || Temporal  || at the time of  || an (+ ''Acc.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ok'''''  || ''-iȯk ''  || ''-ahok''  || ''-ohȯk ''  || 'with the book' || Commitative  || with  || mit (+ ''Dat.'')  || simul  ||  ||
| '''''ok'''''  || ''-iȯk ''  || ''-ahok''  || ''-ohȯk ''  || ‘with the book’ || Commitative  || with  || mit (+ ''Dat.'')  || simul  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ol'''''  || ''-iȯl ''  || ''-ahol''  || ''-ohȯl ''  || 'except for the book' || Exclusive  || except for  || außer (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
| '''''ol'''''  || ''-iȯl ''  || ''-ahol''  || ''-ohȯl ''  || ‘except for the book’ || Exclusive  || except for  || außer (+ ''Dat.'')  ||  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''om'''''  || ''-iȯm ''  || ''-ahom''  || ''-ohȯm ''  || 'in front of the book' ||  || in front of  || vor (+ ''Dat.'')  || prae  ||  ||
| '''''om'''''  || ''-iȯm ''  || ''-ahom''  || ''-ohȯm ''  || ‘in front of the book’ ||  || in front of  || vor (+ ''Dat.'')  || prae  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ǫg'''''  || ''-iǫ̇g ''  || ''-ahǫg''  || ''-ohǫ̇g ''  || 'anti-book' || Contrative  || against, anti  || wider (+ ''Acc.''), -feindlich  || contra  ||  ||
| '''''ǫg'''''  || ''-iǫ̇g ''  || ''-ahǫg''  || ''-ohǫ̇g ''  || ‘anti-book’ || Contrative  || against, anti  || wider (+ ''Acc.''), -feindlich  || contra  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ʀ'''''  || ''-ihʀ ''  || ''-ahʀ''  || ''-ohʀ ''  || 'pro-book' ||  || for, pro  || pro- (+ ''Acc.''), -freundlich  || pro  ||  ||
| '''''ʀ'''''  || ''-ihʀ ''  || ''-ahʀ''  || ''-ohʀ ''  || ‘pro-book’ ||  || for, pro  || pro- (+ ''Acc.''), -freundlich  || pro  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ul'''''  || ''-iu̇l ''  || ''-ahul''  || ''-ou̇l ''  || '(made) of books' || Exessive  || made from  || aus (+ ''Dat.'')  || ex  ||  ||
| '''''ul'''''  || ''-iu̇l ''  || ''-ahul''  || ''-ou̇l ''  || (made) of books’ || Exessive  || made from  || aus (+ ''Dat.'')  || ex  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''ut'''''  || ''-iu̇t ''  || ''-ahut''  || ''-ou̇t ''  || 'out of the book' || Elative  || out of  || aus (+ ''Dat.'')  || ex  ||  ||
| '''''ut'''''  || ''-iu̇t ''  || ''-ahut''  || ''-ou̇t ''  || ‘out of the book’ || Elative  || out of  || aus (+ ''Dat.'')  || ex  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''vul'''''  || ''-ivul ''  || ''-avul''  || ''-ovul ''  || 'because of the book' || Causal  || because of  || wegen (+ ''Gen.'')  || propter  ||  ||
| '''''vul'''''  || ''-ivul ''  || ''-avul''  || ''-ovul ''  || ‘because of the book’ || Causal  || because of  || wegen (+ ''Gen.'')  || propter  ||  ||
|-
|-
| '''''u'''''  || ''uï-''  || ''uȧ-''  || ''uȯ- ''  || '-’s book, the book belonging to' || Possessed  || ’s, of  || (''Gen.''), von  || (''Gen.'')  ||  ||
| '''''u'''''  || ''uï-''  || ''uȧ-''  || ''uȯ- ''  || -’s book, the book belonging to’ || Possessed  || ‘s, of  || (''Gen.''), von  || (''Gen.'')  ||  ||
|-
|-
|}
|}
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| sky || blue
| sky || blue
|-
|-
|colspan="2"| 'blue sky'
|colspan=2| ‘blue sky’
|}
|}


However, when an adjective is used as a copula, it may stand on its own as a predicate to ''ek'' ('to be'), or be treated as a verb in its own right.  
However, when an adjective is used as a copula, it may stand on its own as a predicate to ''ek'' (‘to be’), or be treated as a verb in its own right.  


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| ''ek'' || ''gnída'' || ''gnir'' ||rowspan="2"| (or) || ''gnir'' || ''gnída''
| ''ek'' || ''gnída'' || ''gnir'' ||rowspan=“2”| (or) || ''gnir'' || ''gnída''
|-
|-
| is|| grass || green || is-green|| grass
| is|| grass || green || is-green|| grass
|-
|-
|colspan="6"| 'The grass is green.'
|colspan=6| ‘The grass is green.
|}
|}


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! Predicative !! Verbal !!  
! Predicative !! Verbal !!  
|-
|-
| ''ek pel akadínahað mes kúluï '''narandíð'''''<br> (is she PL-sister-than her-own all most-beautiful) || '''''dið''' pel '''narán''' akadínahað mes kúluï''<br> (is-beautiful she most PL-sister-than her-own all) || 'She is the most beautiful of all her sisters.'
| ''ek pel akadínahað mes kúluï '''narandíð'''''<br> (is she PL-sister-than her-own all most-beautiful) || '''''dið''' pel '''narán''' akadínahað mes kúluï''<br> (is-beautiful she most PL-sister-than her-own all) || ‘She is the most beautiful of all her sisters.
|-
|-
| ''ek pul janád '''nambjólet'''''<br> (is he today more-good) || '''''bjólet''' pul janád '''nan'''''<br> (is-good he today more) || 'He is better today.'
| ''ek pul janád '''nambjólet'''''<br> (is he today more-good) || '''''bjólet''' pul janád '''nan'''''<br> (is-good he today more) || ‘He is better today.
|-
|-
| ''ek paj wíðocað '''amancalíc'''''<br> (is it sky-as as-much-blue) || '''''calíc''' paj '''amán''' wíðocað''<br> (is-blue it as-much as-sky) || 'It’s as blue as the sky.'
| ''ek paj wíðocað '''amancalíc'''''<br> (is it sky-as as-much-blue) || '''''calíc''' paj '''amán''' wíðocað''<br> (is-blue it as-much as-sky) || ‘It’s as blue as the sky.
|-
|-
| ''ek paj vlágaranað '''panxac'''''<br> (is it school-than less-difficult) || '''''xac''' paj vlágaranað '''pan'''''<br> (is-difficult it school-than less) || It’s less difficult than school.
| ''ek paj vlágaranað '''panxac'''''<br> (is it school-than less-difficult) || '''''xac''' paj vlágaranað '''pan'''''<br> (is-difficult it school-than less) || It’s less difficult than school.
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==Verbs==
==Verbs==


As Maltcégj is a "VSO" language, most sentences begin with a verb. Verbs can only be preceded by conjunctions and particles (most of which are prefixed to the verb).
As Maltcégj is a “VSO” language, most sentences begin with a verb. Verbs can only be preceded by conjunctions and particles (most of which are prefixed to the verb).


There is no inflection on verbs; all tenses, moods, aspects, voices, and modalities are conveyed by particles, which operate much like they do in Mandarin Chinese. (The equivalent Mandarin particles are included in the table below for further clarity.)
There is no inflection on verbs; all tenses, moods, aspects, voices, and modalities are conveyed by particles, which operate much like they do in Mandarin Chinese. (The equivalent Mandarin particles are included in the table below for further clarity.)
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===Measurement of Time===
===Measurement of Time===


As discussed briefly in the section on Correlatives and Pro-Forms, time words can be modified with three particles: '''''la-''''' ('past'), '''''ja-''''' ('present'), or '''''þa-''''' ('future'). When combined with a noun that begins with a vowel, the ''a-'' of each prefix is dropped.   
As discussed briefly in the section on Correlatives and Pro-Forms, time words can be modified with three particles: '''''la-''''' (‘past’), '''''ja-''''' (‘present’), or '''''þa-''''' (‘future’). When combined with a noun that begins with a vowel, the ''a-'' of each prefix is dropped.   


''ja-'' is a contraction of the older (now obsolete) proximal deixis ''jála'', which is also contracted to ''jla-'' in some of the other Correlatives (see).  Similarly, ''þa-'' is a contraction of the distal deixis ''þúla'', which also contracts to ''þla-'' or ''þra-''. (The older medial deixis was ''ðóra'', which is unrelated to ''la-'', but still used as contracted ''ðra-'' in other Correlatives.)
''ja-'' is a contraction of the older (now obsolete) proximal deixis ''jála'', which is also contracted to ''jla-'' in some of the other Correlatives (see).  Similarly, ''þa-'' is a contraction of the distal deixis ''þúla'', which also contracts to ''þla-'' or ''þra-''. (The older medial deixis was ''ðóra'', which is unrelated to ''la-'', but still used as contracted ''ðra-'' in other Correlatives.)
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| ''ðlai'' 'time' || '''''la'''ðlai'' 'then, back then' || '''''ja'''ðlai'' 'now' || '''''þa'''ðlai'' 'in the future'
| ''ðlai'' ‘time’ || '''''la'''ðlai'' ‘then, back then’ || '''''ja'''ðlai'' ‘now’ || '''''þa'''ðlai'' ‘in the future’
|-
|-
| ''nad'' 'day' || '''''la'''nad'' 'yesterday' || '''''ja'''nad'' 'today' || '''''þa'''nad'' 'tomorrow'
| ''nad'' ‘day’ || '''''la'''nad'' ‘yesterday’ || '''''ja'''nad'' ‘today’ || '''''þa'''nad'' ‘tomorrow’
|-
|-
| ''temét'' 'morning' || '''''la'''temét'' 'yesterday morning' || '''''ja'''temét'' 'this morning' || '''''þa'''temét'' 'tomorrow morning'
| ''temét'' ‘morning’ || '''''la'''temét'' ‘yesterday morning’ || '''''ja'''temét'' ‘this morning’ || '''''þa'''temét'' ‘tomorrow morning’
|-
|-
| ''bará'' 'afternoon' || '''''la'''bará'' 'yesterday afternoon' || '''''ja'''bará'' 'this afternoon' || '''''þa'''bará'' 'tomorrow afternoon'
| ''bará'' ‘afternoon’ || '''''la'''bará'' ‘yesterday afternoon’ || '''''ja'''bará'' ‘this afternoon’ || '''''þa'''bará'' ‘tomorrow afternoon’
|-
|-
| ''ápten'' 'evening' || '''''l'''ápten'' 'yesterday evening' || '''''j'''ápten'' 'this evening' || '''''þ'''ápten'' 'tomorrow evening'
| ''ápten'' ‘evening’ || '''''l'''ápten'' ‘yesterday evening’ || '''''j'''ápten'' ‘this evening’ || '''''þ'''ápten'' ‘tomorrow evening’
|-
|-
| ''beríc'' 'night' || '''''la'''beríc'' 'last night' || '''''ja'''beríc'' 'tonight' || '''''þa'''beríc'' 'tomorrow night'
| ''beríc'' ‘night’ || '''''la'''beríc'' ‘last night’ || '''''ja'''beríc'' ‘tonight’ || '''''þa'''beríc'' ‘tomorrow night’
|-
|-
| ''danjád'' 'week' || '''''la'''danjád'' 'last week' || '''''ja'''danjád'' 'this week' || '''''þa'''danjád'' 'next week'
| ''danjád'' ‘week’ || '''''la'''danjád'' ‘last week’ || '''''ja'''danjád'' ‘this week’ || '''''þa'''danjád'' ‘next week’
|-
|-
| ''rúma'' 'month' || '''''la'''rúma'' 'last month' || '''''ja'''rúma'' 'this month' || '''''þa'''rúma'' 'next month'
| ''rúma'' ‘month’ || '''''la'''rúma'' ‘last month’ || '''''ja'''rúma'' ‘this month’ || '''''þa'''rúma'' ‘next month’
|-
|-
| ''avíl'' 'year' || '''''l'''avíl'' 'last year' || '''''j'''avíl'' 'this year' || '''''þ'''avíl'' 'next year'
| ''avíl'' ‘year’ || '''''l'''avíl'' ‘last year’ || '''''j'''avíl'' ‘this year’ || '''''þ'''avíl'' ‘next year’
|-
|-
|}
|}


These prefixes can also be used in with the word ''ðlai'' (above) to form adjectives meaning 'past', 'present', and 'future', respectively, as well as ''arán'' 'place', (which has some specific connotations depending on how it's used).
These prefixes can also be used in with the word ''ðlai'' (above) to form adjectives meaning ‘past’, ‘present’, and ‘future’, respectively, as well as ''arán'' ‘place’, (which has some specific connotations depending on how it’s used).


==Sentence Structure==
==Sentence Structure==
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* Adpositions always follow the nouns they modify (except ''u-'').
* Adpositions always follow the nouns they modify (except ''u-'').
* Phrases are “left-headed,” including numbers, possessives, genitives, adjectives, and others.
* Phrases are “left-headed,” including numbers, possessives, genitives, adjectives, and others.
* When an adjective is used as the predicate of a sentence, it can be treated as a verb; however, you can also use the verb ''ek'' ('to be').
* When an adjective is used as the predicate of a sentence, it can be treated as a verb; however, you can also use the verb ''ek'' (‘to be’).


==Easter Eggs==
==Easter Eggs==


Just some fun coincidences, borrowings, and malamanteaux that I've collected here:
Just some fun coincidences, borrowings, and malamanteaux that I’ve collected here:
* '''''ároc víktro''''' ‘leaf’ – literally ‘tree feather’. The word ''ároc'' is no longer used in any other context.
* '''''ároc víktro''''' ‘leaf’ – literally ‘tree feather’. The word ''ároc'' is no longer used in any other context.
* '''''bláka ẏála''''' ‘feather’ – literally ‘bird leaf’. The word ''bláka'' is no longer used in any other context.
* '''''bláka ẏála''''' ‘feather’ – literally ‘bird leaf’. The word ''bláka'' is no longer used in any other context.
* '''''dat''''' ‘seed’ – from ‘dot’.
* '''''dat''''' ‘seed’ – from ‘dot’.
* '''''salgebúra''''' ‘shock or revulsion over something stupid and offensive’ – a malamanteau of Hebrew ''גבורה'' and S.L.G.B.R. which stands for something stupid and offensive which I'll keep to myself.
* '''''salgebúra''''' ‘shock or revulsion over something stupid and offensive’ – a malamanteau of Hebrew ''גבורה'' and S.L.G.B.R. which stands for something stupid and offensive which I’ll keep to myself.
* '''''tcápa''''' ‘ring, circle’ – Goa’uld ''chappa-ai''. (Originally that meaning was further extended by the postposition ''ai'', wherein ''tcápaai'' meant ‘through the ring,’ but this was later broken by a phonological rule which rendered it ''tcápahai''.
* '''''tcápa''''' ‘ring, circle’ – Goa’uld ''chappa-ai''. (Originally that meaning was further extended by the postposition ''ai'', wherein ''tcápaai'' meant ‘through the ring,’ but this was later broken by a phonological rule which rendered it ''tcápahai''.
* Most kinship terms are names for members of my direct family or words that describe them. Just a few examples are:
* Most kinship terms are names for members of my direct family or words that describe them. Just a few examples are:
** '''''adína''''' ‘sister’ - This is the name of my sister, Adina.
** '''''adína''''' ‘sister’ - This is the name of my sister, Adina.
** '''''katír''''' ‘parternal grandparents’ - The plural form, ''akatír'' is from my home town's old High School basketball team, the Halcotteers, which later came to be used locally to refer to any old folks from that town (i.e. from the era when we still had a High School). (The High School was actually in Fleischmanns, not Halcott, but that's another story.)
** '''''katír''''' ‘parternal grandparents’ - The plural form, ''akatír'' is from my home town’s old High School basketball team, the Halcotteers, which later came to be used locally to refer to any old folks from that town (i.e. from the era when we still had a High School). (The High School was actually in Fleischmanns, not Halcott, but that’s another story.)
** '''''ǫ́bri''''' ‘niece’ – the name of my niece, Aubrey.
** '''''ǫ́bri''''' ‘niece’ – the name of my niece, Aubrey.
** '''''zadjámindz''''' ‘great grandparents, mother’s father’s parents’ – Because my Bavarian great-grandparents, Katherine and Heinrich were “ze Germans.”
** '''''zadjámindz''''' ‘great grandparents, mother’s father’s parents’ – Because my Bavarian great-grandparents, Katherine and Heinrich were “ze Germans.”