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 - Animates
Thematic infix: -et- Includes:
- Animals
- Water features (rivers, oceans, etc)
- Meteorological Phenomena
Class 3 - Intangible Animates
Thematic infix: -ezh- Includes:
- Emotions
- Dynamic states of being
- Germs/Bacteria, other life too small to see
- Spirits/supernatural phenomena
Class 4 - Food
Thematic infix: -ul- Includes:
Class 5 - Intangible Food
Thematic infix: -uv- Includes:
- Heat
- Medicine
- Sleep
- Breath
- Past times/Hobbies
Class 6 - Things
Thematic infix: -ox- Includes:
- Physical things
- Anything that doesn't fit anywhere else
Class 7 - Abstract Things
Thematic infix: -olh- Includes:
- Ideas
- Concepts
Class 8 - Locations
Thematic infix: -im- Includes:
- Places
- Buildings
- Geographical Features
- Containers
Class 9 - States of Being
Thematic infix: -iv- Includes:
- Static States of Being
Class 10 - Substances
Thematic infix: -ul- Includes:
Class 11 - Intangible substances
Thematic infix: -ur- Includes:
Class 12 - Diminutives
Thematic infix: -it- Includes:
- Diminutives
- Ideophones
Loan Word Classification
When borrowing words, there are some general rules that apply to which noun class the word is assigned. Note that there may be some sound changes when a loan word is adopted, especially if it makes it more in line with the words in that class.
- Generally speaking, the attempt will be made to place the word into the closest semantic class
- If word matches the word class infix (that it, it has the same or similar sounds after the stressed syllable), it might be placed the class with that infix. It's meaning may shift some to fit the class, and a new root may be created by analogy.
- If there are existing words that are closely related to the incoming word, it may be placed in the same class as the associated word (for example, cooking utensils are often put in Class 5).
- People are always put in Class 1, regardless of form.
