NewLang/Nouns/Noun Classes

Nouns are classified into a noun class, which dictates semantic information as well as agreement on determiners and verbs.

Types of Nouns

Nouns can be classified into two types by word shape. The first are infixed nouns, which are formed by taking a root and inserting an infix after the stressed syllable of the root. Each noun class has a 'thematic infix which is used in this process, and the infix places the noun in the corresponding category.

The other type is bare nouns. These do not have the thematic infix, but are placed into a particular class by semantic criteria. Sometimes these are unaffixed noun roots, and sometimes these are loanwords. In addition, some derivational affixes will place the word into a class. These words still require agreement like infixed nouns - the noun class just has to be memorized.

All noun classes have some of each type.

Noun Classes

Class 1 - People

Thematic infix: -an- Includes:

Class 2 - Intangible People

Thematic infix: -as- Includes:

Class 3 - Animates

Thematic infix: -et- Includes:

Class 4 - Intangible Animates

Thematic infix: -ezh- Includes:

Class 5 - Food

Thematic infix: -am- Includes:

Class 6 - Intangible Food

Thematic infix: -av- Includes:

Class 7 - Things

Thematic infix: -ox- Includes:

Class 8 - Intangible Things

Thematic infix: -olh- Includes:

Class 9 - Locations

Thematic infix: -im- Includes:

Class 10 - States of Being

Thematic infix: -iv- Includes:

Class 11 - Substances

Thematic infix: -ul- Includes:

Class 12 - Groups

Thematic infix: -ur- Includes:

Class 13 - Diminutives

Thematic infix: -it- Includes: