Navigation:
Grammatical Concept: Root Retention
Many nouns in Asaxi are formed by attaching a Class Suffix (a semantic classifier) to a descriptive root.
- Structure:
[Root]+[Class Suffix] - Example: jýnn (Chatter) + shá (Creature) = jýnnshá (Hyena).
The Rule: When these nouns are used to form Derivations, Compounds, or Adjectives, the Class Suffix is dropped, leaving only the Root.
- Logic: The “Quality” resides in the Root, not the Classifier.
- Adjective: We say “Chatter-like” (
jýnă), not “Hyena-creature-like” (jýnnshánă).
- Adjective: We say “Chatter-like” (
1. The Class Suffix Inventory
The following suffixes are subject to automatic reduction.
| Suffix | Meaning | Usage | Example Noun | Reduced Root | Derived Adjective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -shá | Creature | Animals / Beings | jýnnshá (Hyena) | jýnn | jýnă (Chatty) |
| -båbå | Muscle | Anatomy | tëbibåbå (Arm musculature) | tëbi | tëbină (Arm muscle-like) |
| -kam | Structure | Buildings | sháŕokam (Shelter) | sháŕo | sháŕonă (Safe) |
| -gă | Place | Zones | sháŕogă (Refuge) | sháŕo | sháŕonă (Safe) |
(Note: -kam is only dropped if the Root itself is distinct enough to carry the meaning. shěsokam (Library) does NOT drop -kam because shěso means “Book,” which is a different object). |
2. Derivation Examples
A. Adjectives (-nă / -nýj)
- Noun: rănabishá (Gazelle / Stripe-line-creature).
- Derivation: Drop
-shá→rănabi+nă. - Result: rănabină (Fast).
B. Compounds
- Noun: jýnnshá (Hyena).
- Compound: “Louder than a hyena.”
- Derivation: Drop
-shá→jýnn. - Result: najýnnjýno (More-Hyena-Sound).
C. Verbs (-ů)
- Noun: shivëshá (Civet).
- Derivation: Drop
-shá→shivë+n+ů. - Result: shivënů (To show off).
3. Contextual Shortening (Speech)
In conversation, once the context is established, speakers often drop the Class Suffix even when referring to the noun itself.
- Context: A bodybuilder posing.
- Full: “Look at his tëbibåbå.” (Arm musculature).
- Reduced: “Look at his tëbi.” (Lit: “Look at his Arm” - understood as Biceps in context).