Dama Diwan: Difference between revisions

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All the vocabulary (including grammar) comes, through sortition, from the sky, hence the name Daman (or taman) "from the sky" and it is for the people of the whole earth, hence it is Dewan / Diwan (or tiwan) "of the earth".
All the vocabulary (including grammar) comes, through sortition, from the sky, hence the name Daman (or taman) "from the sky" and it is for the people of the whole earth, hence it is Dewan / Diwan (or tiwan) "of the earth".
It allows wonderful freedom of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_(linguistics) word order] within the frame of the head-final syntax.
It allows wonderful flexibility of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_(linguistics) word order] within the frame of the head-final syntax.
A language not suitable for telling any lies, but ideal for telling any truth.
A language not suitable for telling any lies, but ideal for telling any truth.
   
   
The reasons why dama diwan is objectively different to all other (natural or constructed) languages:  
The reasons why Daman Diwan is objectively different to all other (natural or constructed) languages:  
# It is the easiest, simplest, and smallest of all functional languages. This is measured by its 258 roots and 4 or 6 suffixes; it has been tested that it takes about 5 days for an average person to memorize the whole vocabulary. It is not possible to make an easier functional language, because if the number of morphemes is reduced, then it will be necessary to memorize a huge number of combinations with special subjective meanings which cannot be understood by the combined elements themselves.
# It is the easiest, simplest, and smallest of all functional languages. This is measured by its 258 roots and 3 or 6 suffixes; it has been tested that it takes about 5 days for an average person to memorize the whole vocabulary. It is not possible to make an easier functional language, because if the number of morphemes is reduced, then it will be necessary to memorize a huge number of combinations with special subjective meanings which cannot be understood by the combined elements themselves.
#In fact, the roots are the phonemes, so Dama is made from 12 roots only; but because it is not always easy to find the meaning of a cVc root from the individual phonemes, it is necessary to memorize the meaning of the 258 higher level roots.
#In fact, the roots are the phonemes, so Dama is made from 12 roots only; but because it is not always easy to find the meaning of a cVc root from the individual phonemes, it is necessary to memorize the meaning of the 258 higher-level roots.
# It is “open source” and personalizable (can be customized according to each individual’s own usage).   
# It is “open source” and personalizable (can be customized according to each individual’s own usage).   
# It is not made from any other language(s).   
# It is not made from any other language(s).   
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# It is accomplished totally by means of divination through sortition (random), and that by asking the supreme benevolent spirit to form it, for the sake of the whole earth.   
# It is accomplished totally by means of divination through sortition (random), and that by asking the supreme benevolent spirit to form it, for the sake of the whole earth.   
# All possible combinations of phonemes are used.   
# All possible combinations of phonemes are used.   
# All phonemes are equally represented.
# All phonemes are equally represented in the formation of roots.


== Dama Diwan as simple as it is / Daman Diwan sanon rure, sanon nibe (JURO) ==
== Dama Diwan as simple as it is / Daman Diwan sanon rure, sanon nibe (JURO) ==
:-O :noun -ON: object before its verb.
:-O :noun. -ON: object before its verb.
:-A :adverb -AN: genitive.
:-A :adverb. -AN: genitive.
:-E :active verb. -EN: active verb before its object.
:-E :active verb. -EN: active verb before its object.


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In this usage, the word order is only SVO, and you must always put a subject to every sentence, even if it is only a dummy subject, as TO (a person) or NO (a thing).
In this usage, the word order is only SVO, and you must always put a subject to every sentence, even if it is only a dummy subject, as TO (a person) or NO (a thing).


There is no -AN to express the genitive, but genitive can still be expressed by SE ("having") or by various postpositions (e.g. RASA "from", RAMA "in"); there is not even a marginal use of prepositions, only postpositions (-A) are used. The -A adverbs before nouns work as adjectives, which can often substitute a genitive, e.g. MAJA WORO "goat milk" instead of MAJAN WORO "goat's milk".
There is no -AN to express the genitive, but genitive can still be expressed by SE ("having") or by various postpositions (e.g. RASA "from", RAMA "in"); there is not even a marginal use of prepositions, only postpositions (-A) are used. The -A adverbs before nouns work as adjectives, which can often substitute a genitive, e.g. MAJA WURO "goat milk" instead of MAJAN WURO "goat's milk".


There is no -ON -E -O construction (RABON MIRE TO "wood cutting person" = a woodcutter), but it can be substituted by e.g. RABO-BA MIRE-TO "wood-done cutting-person" or RABE TO "the person who uses wood".
There is no -ON -E -O construction (RABON MIRE TO "wood cutting person" = a woodcutter), but it can be substituted by e.g. RABO-BA MIRE-TO "wood-done cutting-person" or abbreviations as RABE TO "the person who uses wood".


There is no -ON -E construction, but it can be substituted by nouns used as passive verbs, e.g. instead of RABON TO MIRE (wood← person cut) you can say RABO MIRO, TO BE= wood (was) cut, person did= the wood was cut by that person. Monosyllabics like BO "done" and NO "made", also in their adverbial forms BA "with that thing done" and NA "with that thing made" can also substitute -ON; so, you can say: RABO BA, TO MIRE= "wood being done something, person cut" instead of ordinary Daman: RABON TO MIRE; or: SUBO NA, TO KUTE = "house being made, person made high" =the person built the house high.
There is no -ON -E construction, but it can be substituted by nouns used as passive verbs, e.g. instead of RABON TO MIRE (wood← person cut) you can say RABO MIRO, TO BE= wood (was) cut, person did= the wood was cut by that person. Monosyllabics like BO "done", NO "made", MO "directed", etc., preferably in their adverbial forms BA "with that thing done", NA "with that thing made", MA "towards", etc., can also substitute -ON; so, you can say: RABO BA, TO MIRE= "wood being done something, person cut" instead of ordinary Daman: RABON TO MIRE; SUBO NA, TO KUTE = "house being made, person made high" =the person built the house high; TIKO MA, O WIWE ="plant(s)-to, I water" =I water the plants; and so on, substituting  ordinary Daman -ON with postpositions.


In these ways, this usage of Daman can still work and convey essentially the same information as ordinary Daman.
In these ways, this usage of Daman can still work and convey essentially the same information as ordinary Daman, while still keeping the preferred word order OSV along with the unmarked SVO.


For example ordinary Daman says
For example ordinary Daman says
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:TO MIME JABO-RASA JUWO, BO KURE RABO "person burning cow-from dung, activity saving tree", that is: by burning cow's dung people (can) save trees.
:TO MIME JABO-RASA JUWO, BO KURE RABO "person burning cow-from dung, activity saving tree", that is: by burning cow's dung people (can) save trees.


This type of usage is called JIRO "tough, inflexible" although some word-order flexibility is still possible, but the sentence subject must always be stated while it is mostly omitted in ordinary Daman (which is called JURO "individual; element; standard for measurement and judgment"); extended usage (below) is called JARO "stretchable, elastic".
This type of usage is called JIRO "tough, inflexible" although much of word-order flexibility is still possible, but the sentence subject must always be stated while it is mostly omitted in ordinary Daman (which is called JURO " element; individual; standard for measurement and judgment"); extended usage (below) is called JARO "stretchable, elastic".


== Summary of the extended features / jaro jinon june (JARO) ==
== Summary of the extended features / jaro jinon june (JARO) ==
(optional, rare, or purely theoretical)
(optional, rare, or purely theoretical)
:Lengthening of stem or only vowel: augmentative
:Lengthening of stem- or only vowel: augmentative
:Lengthening of suffix vowel: diminutive
:Lengthening of suffix vowel: diminutive
:(c=Consonant; v=Vowel; r=root; Ø=zero)
:(c=Consonant; v=Vowel; r=root; Ø=zero)
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:rAO=a thing considered/used as rA. rAI=doing the way of r.
:rAO=a thing considered/used as rA. rAI=doing the way of r.
:rIA=by way of the verb. rIO=the doer.
:rIA=by way of the verb. rIO=the doer.
:rOA=the way of the noun complex. rOI=to turn into rO.
:rOA=the way of the noun complex. rOI=to turn something into rO.
:Extra conjunctions: AJ=and; AW=is; AJN=after first modifier; AWN=question marker.
:Extra conjunctions: AJ=and; AW=is; AJN=after first modifier; AWN=question marker.
:ØN: some/any.  
:ØN: some/any.  
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== Grammar / kiwan nijo ==
== Grammar / kiwan nijo ==
DO NOT TRY TO LEARN Daman Diwan GRAMMAR; BUILD THE GRAMMAR BY YOURSELF after you know the 3 suffixes (extended into 6 by -N, or even forget the -N if it confuses you: use only the 3 suffixes then).
DO NOT TRY TO LEARN Daman Diwan GRAMMAR; BUILD THE GRAMMAR BY YOURSELF after you know the 3 suffixes (extended into 6 by -N, or even forget the -N if it confuses you: use only the 3 suffixes then).
If you know the meaning of Dama Diwan words '''and the head-final word order''', you don't need to know any other grammar. "Grammar" means things obligatory to express, such as gender, case, number, tense, aspect of verb, mood and so on. All such things are available in Dama, but almost nothing is obligatory to express. In fact, it is better to omit anything that is easily understood without mentioning it. What is obligatory (and therefore, grammatical) in Dama, is that every word must end with one of the 3 vowels, and that vowel presents the word as a noun or adverb or verb; so, '''these 3 suffixes, along with the word order and the possible -n constitute the whole grammar of formal Dama'''.
If you know the meaning of Dama Diwan words '''and the head-final word order''', you don't need to know any other grammar. "Grammar" means things obligatory to express, such as gender, case, number, tense, aspect of verb, mood and so on. All such things are available in Dama, but almost nothing is obligatory to express. In fact, it is better to omit anything that is easily understood without mentioning it. What is obligatory (and therefore, grammatical) in Dama, is that every word must end with one of the 3 vowels, and that vowel presents the word as a noun or adverb or verb; so, '''these 3 suffixes, along with the word order and the possible -N constitute the whole grammar of Daman Diwan'''.
The 3 suffixes o / a / e have the following native names (with examples in brackets):
The 3 suffixes o / a / e have the following native names (with examples in brackets):


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:-e : tubo. (be, ne, bibe, nuje…). It indicates an active verb.
:-e : tubo. (be, ne, bibe, nuje…). It indicates an active verb.


:Adjectives are indicated by their position (before of a noun as modifiers, or after the noun as predicates), and not by any special marking; all parts of speech can serve as adjectives, but especially the adverbs -A before nouns work very much like adverbs derived from nouns, e.g. NUNA KIWO (NUNO=the front, NUNA=in front, KIWO=word) =foreword.
:Adjectives are indicated by their position (before of a noun as modifiers, or after the noun as predicates), and not by any special marking; all parts of speech can serve as adjectives, but especially the adverbs -A before nouns -O work very much like adverbs derived from nouns, e.g. NUNA KIWO (NUNO=the front, NUNA=in front, KIWO=word) =foreword.
:Relative clauses are expressed by their position (before the word they modify).
:Relative clauses are expressed by their position (before the word they modify).
:Genitive and possessive pronouns are expressed through the root S- "to have", the suffix -AN, and the word WISO ("one's own") that substitutes all possessive pronouns; also, postpositions can substitute the genitive, as RASA "from".
:Genitive and possessive pronouns are expressed through the root S- "to have", the suffix -AN, and the word WISO ("one's own") that substitutes all possessive pronouns; also, postpositions can substitute the genitive, as RASA "from". Sometimes, when the word-relation is quite obvious, the genitive can be left unmarked, e.g. A RUSO, TAMA BUWA ="you eye, sky color" =your eyes are blue; A JUNO KATO? = "you name what?" = what is your name?
*So, the head-final word order is analyzed as GN, AN, RelN (genitive-noun, adjective-noun, and relative-noun).
*So, the head-final word order is analyzed as GN, AN, RelN (genitive-noun, adjective-noun, and relative-noun).


From a purely theoretical point of view, the main parts of speech are thought to correspond to the main principles that define the world: space (nouns, -O), time (verbs, -E), and causality (adverbs, -A).
From a purely theoretical point of view, the main parts of speech are thought to correspond to the main principles that define the world: space (nouns, -O), time (verbs, -E), and causality (adverbs, -A).
:"Causality" means everything regarded as a cause for a certain effect. This terminology sounds still obscure, but Dama language always simplifies things: adverbs are called JENO, which means "use"; every adverb [cv]c-A means "by using the [cv]c" (where [cv]c- is the stem of the word and -A is the adverbial suffix).
:"Causality" means everything regarded as a cause for a certain effect. This terminology sounds still obscure, but Daman language always simplifies things: adverbs are called JENO, which means "use"; every adverb [cv]c-A means "by using the [cv]c" (where [cv]c- is the stem of the word and -A is the adverbial suffix).
*Adverbs primordially express mode or manner; however, according to their pragmatic meaning and the context, they can express everything that adverbs are used for in all languages (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverb).
*Adverbs primordially express mode or manner; however, according to their pragmatic meaning and the context, they can express everything that adverbs are used for in all languages (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverb).


An adverb (-A) can substitute all grammatical oblique cases (except accusative) such as dative, locative, comitative, instrumental, similative and (enhanced as -AN) the genitive and ablative. Where more accuracy is needed, numerous postpositions are used. Postpositions are themselves classified as adverbs (-A), e.g. SA "with", KA "in order to; should; must", MA "toward/to", RASA "from", etc..
An adverb (-A) can substitute all grammatical oblique cases (except accusative) such as dative, locative, comitative, instrumental, similative and (enhanced as -AN) the genitive and ablative. Where more accuracy is needed, numerous postpositions are used. Postpositions are themselves classified as adverbs (-A), e.g. SA "with", KA "in order to; should; must", MA "toward/to", RASA "from", JA "possibly" etc..


===SUMMARY OF ALL COMBINATIONS OF THE BASIC PARTS OF SPEECH===
===SUMMARY OF ALL COMBINATIONS OF THE BASIC PARTS OF SPEECH===
We shall use the roots BUR (soft, a mix of solid and liquid like dough or something that feels between solid and liquid) and WIW (liquid, especially water) as an example.
We shall use the roots BUR (soft, as a mix of solid and liquid like dough or something that feels between solid and liquid) and WIW (liquid, especially water) as an example.
* BURO=soft, WIWO=liquid.
* BURO=soft, WIWO=liquid.
* BURA=softly, WIWA=by water, or in a liquid manner.
* BURA=softly, WIWA=by water, or in a liquid manner.
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* BURO WIWO =a liquid which is thick; WIWO BURO =a soft substance which is watery.
* BURO WIWO =a liquid which is thick; WIWO BURO =a soft substance which is watery.
* BURA WIWO =a liquid which is somewhat like a thicker substance; WIWA BURO =a soft substance which is somewhat like a liquid.
* BURA WIWO =a liquid which is somewhat like a thicker substance; WIWA BURO =a soft substance which is somewhat like a liquid.
* BURO WIWA =with (or: in) water which is actually mud; WIWO BURA =with (or: in) mud which is actually liquid.
* BURO WIWA =with (or: in) water which is mud; WIWO BURA =with (or: in) mud which is liquid.
:With punctuation (, : ! ?) after the first word (subject noun):
:With punctuation (, : ! ?) after the first word (subject noun):
: BURO, WIWA =the mud is like water. WIWO, BURA =the water is like mud.
: BURO, WIWA =the mud is like water. WIWO, BURA =the water is like mud.
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:For more detail, see below:
:For more detail, see below:


===MODIFIERS TO NOUNS / ruro nuna juno===
===MODIFIERS TO NOUNS / ruro se nuna juno===
So for example JASO is a tooth / teeth; JASA is the adverb "teeth-way", with (the) teeth, teeth-like, by means of teeth; and JASE is the verb: to use the teeth, bite or chew. All these can be used as predicates (after the subject) or as adjectives / modifiers (before the modified word);
So for example JASO is a tooth / teeth; JASA is the adverb "teeth-way", with (the) teeth, teeth-like, by means of teeth; and JASE is the verb: to use the teeth, bite or chew. All these can be used as predicates (after the subject) or as adjectives / modifiers (before the modified word);
suppose the modified word is a noun such as BASO (fish); then JASO BASO = "the teeth-fish" (implying an important role of teeth, so it is a shark, if the context agrees). However, note that with a zero-copula if we put two nouns next to each other, the first is naturally a subject and the second is its predicate: this is the original construction. Now, if subject=describing and predicate=categorizing, then object-predicate means adjective-noun, so such an adjective has a connotation of subject (A=B); for example, a "tail" is called "JAMO WOSO" ("back cord"): JAMO (the rear thing) is an adjective to the noun WOSO (cord, rope, etc.), but at the same time there is the relation A=B: the back (thing) is a cord. So, even when saying JASO BASO "teeth fish" this is to give an impression that the fish is all teeth. If we must make clear that there is not an A=B relationship, then we use the suffix -AN, broadly analogous to English "of": JAMAN WOSO =the cord (or rope, thread) ''of'' the back part; or, the word SE forms a possessive function: JAMO SE WOSO "the cord that the back part ''has''"; A SE JANO= your pig, clearly different from A JANO =you (are a) pig. However, we can still say e.g. A RUSO "your eye(s)" because the pragmatic context makes it obvious that we do not say exactly that "you are an eye".  
suppose the modified word is a noun such as BASO (fish); then JASO BASO = "the teeth-fish" (implying an important role of teeth, so it is a shark, if the context agrees). However, note that with a zero-copula if we put two nouns next to each other, the first is naturally a subject and the second is its predicate: this is the original construction. Now, if subject=describing and predicate=categorizing, then object-predicate means adjective-noun, so such an adjective has a connotation of subject (A=B); for example, a "tail" is called "JAMO WUSO" ("back cord"): JAMO (the rear thing) is an adjective to the noun WUSO (cord, rope, etc.), but at the same time there is the relation A=B: the back (thing) is a cord. So, even when saying JASO BASO "teeth fish" this is to give an impression that the fish is all teeth. If we must make clear that there is not an A=B relationship, then we use the suffix -AN, broadly analogous to English "of": JAMAN WOSO =the cord (or rope, thread) ''of'' the back part; or, the word SE forms a possessive function: JAMO SE WOSO "the cord that the back part ''has''"; A SE JANO= your pig, clearly different from A JANO =you (are a) pig. However, we can still say e.g. A RUSO "your eye(s)" because the pragmatic context makes it obvious that we do not say exactly that "you are an eye".  


In JASA BASO the modifier is an adverb; an adverb modifying a noun works much like a '''derivative''' adjective, in this case "teethy", "teeth-like", or "teeth-kind", such a kind of fish. A practical way to understand the meaning of an adverb is to use the word -"way" or the English suffixes -"wise", -"ly", -"like" or "with"-.
In JASA BASO the modifier is an adverb; an adverb modifying a noun works much like a '''derivative''' adjective, in this case "teethy", "teeth-like", or "teeth-kind", such a kind of fish. A practical way to understand the meaning of an adverb is to use the word -"way" or the English suffixes -"wise", -"ly", -"like" or the prepositions "with" or "by".
Very often in Dama the modifier of a noun is a verb, then it is equal to an active verb participle: JASE BASO =the biting fish =the fish that bites.
Very often in Daman the modifier of a noun is a verb, then it is equal to an active verb participle: JASE BASO =the biting fish =the fish that bites.


===MODIFIERS TO VERBS / bo nuna juno===
===MODIFIERS TO VERBS / bo se nuna juno===
Supposing the verb is JASE (uses the teeth, bites).
Supposing the verb is JASE (uses the teeth, bites).
A noun before the verb is its subject: BASO JASE =the fish is biting.
A noun before the verb is its subject: BASO JASE =the fish is biting.
An adverb before the verb is in the most proper adverbial function: BASA JASE =(s/he) bites like a fish, (s/he) bites the way fish do.
An adverb before the verb is in the most proper adverbial function: BASA JASE =(s/he) bites like a fish, (s/he) bites the way fish do (this construction is very basic, so words marked as -A -E are always taken together firstly unless separated by punctuation; e.g. I SINA TIBE is taken as I SINA+TIBE "he works together" and not as I+SINA TIBE "together with him [somebody] works", the latter should be: I SINA, TIBE).
A verb before another verb is dependent to the second verb; in all cases, the modified comes last and the modifier comes before it. So, NUJE JASE "catches-bites" means "bites in a catching way, bites so as to catch"; while WASE JASE "presses-bites" means "uses the teeth in a pressing way", i.e. "is chewing". In many cases, especially with the monosyllabic verbs as main, the modifying verb works as the object of the second verb, e.g. JASE RE "bite-want" =it wants/tries to bite.
A verb before another verb is dependent to the second verb; in all cases, the modified comes last and the modifier comes before it. So, NUJE JASE "catches-bites" means "bites in a catching way, bites so as to catch"; while WASE JASE "presses-bites" means "uses the teeth in a pressing way", i.e. "is chewing". In many cases, especially with the monosyllabic verbs as main, the modifying verb works as the object of the second verb, e.g. JASE RE "bite-want" =it wants/tries to bite.


===MODIFIERS TO ADVERBS / jeno nuna juno===
===MODIFIERS TO ADVERBS / jeno se nuna juno===
Like all words, adverbs can be modified by all words; adverbs very often work as POSTpositions or adverbs of time/place/mode in relation to a noun, so the main word here is the postpositional adverb which comes second: JASO JENA "teeth-using" =by using the teeth. JASO RAMA ="tooth-inside" =inside the tooth. JASO RINO RAMA "teeth-row-inside" =inside the row of the teeth.
Like all words, adverbs can be modified by all words; adverbs very often work as POSTpositions or adverbs of time/place/mode in relation to a noun, so the main word here is the postpositional adverb which comes second: JASO JENA "teeth-using" =by using the teeth. JASO RAMA ="tooth-inside" =inside the tooth. JASO RINO RAMA "teeth-row-inside" =inside the row of the teeth.
An adverb can modify another adverb (again, the modifier comes first): JENA =using, by means of; MIWA JENA "big-way using" =much using, making much use of.
An adverb can modify another adverb (again, the modifier comes first): JENA =using, by means of; MIWA JENA "big-way using" =much using, making much use of.
A verb modifying an adverb is common for adverbs functioning as postpositions or conjunctions: e.g. KA "in order to; must", so JASE KA AN-MARA "in order to bite - comes close"; JASE KA! (bite!) is a possible order to a dog that has been taught Dama. That is not so hard, as a dog can learn 500 expressions in the first year of its life, while Dama has only 262 - 264 morphemes (depending on the way of counting them).
A verb modifying an adverb is common for adverbs functioning as postpositions or conjunctions: e.g. KA "in order to; must", so JASE KA AN-MARA "in order to bite - comes close"; JASE KA! (bite!) is a possible order to a dog that has been taught Daman. That is not so hard, as a dog can learn 500 expressions in the first year of its life, while Daman has only 262 morphemes.


===THE SUFFIXED -N / mibo -n===
===THE SUFFIXED -N / mibo -n===
It is indeed possible to use the Dama language without the suffixed -N. In such a usage, Dama does not lose its ability to express things, but it loses its flexibility: the word order should then be strict SVO, and the subject must always be present (even as a dummy, e.g. TO "person", NO "thing" etc.); some  people may think such a usage to be easier; for me, it is too hard; all my experience shows that the easiest way to start a sentence in Daman is to start with the object. Also, the final -N on verbs is extremely practical in showing different kinds of object (e.g. a whole sentence can be a verb's object), and so, even if you thing that it is easier without the suffixed -N, you may find it much more difficult if you try to use Dama without that -N.
It is indeed possible to use the Daman language without the suffixed -N. In such a usage, Daman does not lose its ability to express things, but it loses some of its freedom: the unmarked word order should then be strict SVO, and the subject must always be present (even as a dummy, e.g. TO "person", NO "thing" etc.); some  people may think such a usage to be easier; for me, it is too hard; all my experience shows that the easiest way to start a sentence in Daman is to start with the object. Also, the final -N on verbs is extremely practical in showing different types of object (e.g., after -EN, a mere adverb or a whole sentence can be a verb's object), and so, even if you thing that it is easier without the suffixed -N, you may find it much more difficult if you try to use Dama without that -N.


All the 3 suffixes can be extended by a final nasal, which is best pronounced as velar if possible to the speaker. The final nasal is the connecting indicator: it goes between the governed word (called SUTO) and its governing word (SUTE) to connect them.
All the 3 suffixes can be extended by a final nasal, which is best pronounced as velar if possible to the speaker. The final nasal is the connecting indicator: it goes between the governed word (called SUTO) and its governing word (SUTE) to connect them.
A mnemonic device to remember the role of -n is the word "next", as -n joins primarily with the next word. In Dama, the mnemonic word is "NUJO" (catching), as it "catches" the next words, or "NUTO" (fruit, result), as it connects to the result (object) of the word. The -n can be considered as an abbreviated form of "NO" (thing): it is understood as "the thing, which...".  
A mnemonic device to remember the role of -N is the word "next", as -N joins primarily with the next word. In Daman, the mnemonic word is "NUJO" (catching), as it "catches" the next words, or "NUTO" (fruit, result), as it connects to the result (object) of the word. The -N can also be considered as an abbreviated form of "NO" (thing): it is understood as "the thing, which...".  
:So, between a noun object and its verb: BASON NUJE = "fish-catches" = "s/he catches fish", while BASO NUJE = the fish catches (prey). If the verb goes first, NUJEN BASO "s/he catches fish". But in NUJE BASO, "baso" canNOT be the object, so it is the case of a verb modifier to a noun: "the catching fish", the fish that catches (prey).
:So, between a noun object and its verb: BASON NUJE = "fish-catches" = "s/he catches fish", while BASO NUJE = the fish catches (prey). If the verb goes first, NUJEN BASO "s/he catches fish". But in NUJE BASO, "baso" canNOT be the object, so it is the case of a verb modifier to a noun: "the catching fish", the fish that catches (prey).


Not only verbs, but also adverbs, conjunctions and adpositions have their objects, so the -n can also join the adposition or adverb to its object.
Note: in the construction -ON -E e.g. BASON NUJE, the -ON word is the object of the verb, but its meaning is exactly the same as that of a subject to that verb understood as passive: BASON NUJE = (they) catch fish, but the same can be translated also as "fish is caught". In this way, the -ON -E structure can perfectly substitute the passive voice. Extended Daman does have a passive voice marker: BASO ENUJE =fish is caught, but that is very rarely to be used and only in case that it serves for shortcutting expression.


The suffix -a is used when the adverb is used as a POSTposition, or more generally to show that the adverb is connected primarily with the PREVIOUS words before the meaning is joined to the following.
The suffix -A is applied when the adverb is used as a POSTposition, or more generally to show that the adverb is connected primarily with the PREVIOUS words before the meaning is joined to the following (with the reservation of -A -E structure, see above).


UNTIL 2016 MARCH 03, the suffix -an was used to mark that the adverb is used as a PREposition or conjunction, or more generally to show that the adverb connects primarily to the FOLLOWING word and not to the previous.
UNTIL 2016 MARCH 03, the suffix -AN marked an adverb used as a PREposition or conjunction, or more generally to show that the adverb connects primarily to the FOLLOWING word and not to the previous.


AFTER 2016 MARCH 04, it has been discovered that the most proper use is to abolish the use of PREpositions (except IN, UN, AN) and use only POSTpositions, which, anyway, have always been preferred in Daman. The primordial meaning of the suffix -AN is to form the genitive of nouns, although the genitive can have a connotation of ablative and words marked with -AN may still be marginally used as prepositions.
AFTER 2016 MARCH 04, it has been discovered that the most proper use is to abolish the use of PREpositions (except IN, UN, AN) and use only POSTpositions, which, anyway, have always been preferred in Daman. The primordial meaning of the suffix -AN is to form the genitive of nouns, although the genitive can have a connotation of ablative and words marked with -AN may still be marginally used as prepositions.
The "genitive" with the ending -AN broadly means relation, usually translated by Engligh "of", including "in relation to", "about", so e.g. "MAWA KIWE" = "they talk in a manly way", while "MAWAN KIWE" = "they talk of men, about men". Of course, MUTAN MUSO = "women's clothes", MAWAN JATO = "a man's bag".
The "genitive" with the ending -AN broadly means relation, usually translated by Engligh "of", including "in relation to", "about", so e.g. "MAWA KIWE" = "they talk in a manly way", while "MAWAN KIWE" = "they talk of men, about men". Of course, MUTAN MUSO = "women's clothes", MAWAN JATO = "a man's bag".


Sometimes -AN (genitive) and -A (pure adverb) can refer to the same thing; e.g. SUBAN SAMO "the house's furniture" means the same as SUBA SAMO "the furniture in the house"; SUBAN NAJO "opposite of the house" is really the same as SUBA NAJO "opposite to the house". But there can be a significant difference, as -AN can show a thing as "origin", while -A can show the same thing as "destination": WOSA TUWE "by a rope - stabilize" is "to tie up"; but WOSAN TUWE "from a rope - stabilize" is "to hang".
Sometimes -AN (genitive role) and -A (pure adverb) can refer to the same thing; e.g. SUBAN SAMO "the house's furniture" means the same as SUBA SAMO "the furniture in the house"; SUBAN NAJO "opposite of the house" is really the same as SUBA NAJO "opposite to the house". But there can be a significant difference, as -AN can show a thing as "origin", while -A can show the same thing as "destination": WUSA TUWE "by a rope - stabilize" is "to tie up"; but WUSAN TUWE "from a rope - stabilize" is "to hang".


Although there are formally no prepositions in Dama, if we consider a phrase like: "BASO AN MARA, KAN JASE" ("the fish is getting near, of-intention biting"), "of-intention biting" cannot mean but "with an intention to bite"; such is the function of all adverbs that can be used as postpositions, especially RASA (from), MA (to), KA (in order to; must); so it is quite logical and in correct grammar to use them as prepositions in the form RASAN, MAN, KAN, although this usage is discouraged, yet it is another proof that Dama can imitate the usages of all languages. A phrase started with such a preposition (-AN) should be separated from the rest of the text by two commas (or other two punctuation marks).
Although there are fundamentally no prepositions in Daman, if we consider a phrase like: "BASO AN MARA, KAN JASE" ("the fish is getting near, of-intention biting"), "of-intention biting" cannot mean but "with an intention to bite"; such is the function of all adverbs that can be used as postpositions, especially RASA (from), MA (to), KA (in order to; must); so it is quite logical and in correct grammar to use them as prepositions in the form RASAN, MAN, KAN, although this usage is discouraged, yet it is another instance of Daman imitating the usages of different languages. A phrase started with such a preposition (-AN) should be separated from the rest of the text by two commas (or other two punctuation marks).


'''In general it is advisable to use the -n as sparingly as possible'''.
'''In general it is advisable to use the -N as sparingly as possible'''. I NARO JAMA, KIWON SANA NUME SIBA.
And yet a prepositional syntax can also be imitated with the help of the indeclinable prepositional IN: the most normal way is to say, e.g. SURA SURA TARO IN RABO KUTA or SURA SURA TARO, RABAN KUTA = "the monkey is up the tree", or: SURA SURA TARO, RABO KUTA, but we can also say the same as SURA SURA TARO, KUTA IN RABO.
And yet a prepositional syntax can also be imitated with the help of the indeclinable prepositional IN: the most normal way is to say, e.g. SURA SURA TARO IN RABO KUTA or SURA SURA TARO, RABAN KUTA = "the monkey is up the tree", or: SURA SURA TARO, RABO KUTA, but we can also say the same as SURA SURA TARO, KUTA IN RABO.
IN is really used as a connector: IN RABO means "on/at the tree" and the adverb KUTA "up" makes the position more specific. But as RABO KUTA means already "on the tree", IN is superfluous unless for separating SURA SURA TARO from RABO KUTA; a comma too can act in the role of separating words grouped together on either side of it. The final -N in general and the JUNAN WOMO SIJO (see next) are all used as separators and connectors.
IN is really used as a connector: IN RABO means "on/at the tree" and the adverb KUTA "up" makes the position more specific. But as RABO KUTA means already "on the tree", IN is superfluous unless for separating SURA SURA TARO from RABO KUTA; a comma too can act in the role of separating words grouped together on either side of it. The final -N in general and the JUNAN WOMO SIJO (see next) are all used as separators and connectors.
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