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<HEAD><TITLE>The Kebreni Language</TITLE></HEAD>
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<h3><a name="contents"><font color="#000060">The Kebreni Language</font></a></h3>
<table><tr>
<td><center><IMG Align=Top SRC="kebri.jpg" width=345 height=230 title="Kebri">
<td><i>Unlike Verdurian, whose grammar is not too far from European models,
Kebreni has a grammar which deviates any way it can
from English. I'm particularly proud of the verbal system.
<p>You can decipher the map names using the lexicon.
<br>--Mark Rosenfelder
</i></table>
<blockquote>
<a href="#Context">Context</a>
<br><a href="#Phonology">Phonology</a>
<br><a href="#Morphology">Morphology</a>
<br> <i><font size=-1>
<a href="#Verbs">Verbs</a> *
<a href="#Pronouns">Pronouns</a> *
<a href="#Numbers">Numbers</a> *
<a href="#Derivational">Derivational morphology</a>
</font></i>
<br><a href="#Syntax">Syntax</a>
<br> <i><font size=-1>
<a href="#Parameter">Parameter order</a> *
<a href="#NP">Noun phrases</a> *
<a href="#Adjectives">Adjectives</a> *
<a href="#Conjunctions">Conjunctions</a> *
<a href="#Locative">Locative verbs</a> *
<a href="#Questions">Questions</a> *
<a href="#Complex">Complex sentences</a>
</font></i>
<br><a href="#Example">Example</a>
<br><a href="#Sound">Sound changes</a>
<br><a href="#Lexicon">Lexicon</a>
</blockquote>
<hr>
<h2><a name="Context"><font color="#000060">Context</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Top]</font></font></a></h2>
The Monkhayic family of languages, though now restricted to Kebri and the southwestern corner of Dhekhnam, was once spoken throughout the Plain, and indeed has left its linguistic traces heavily on the map of the Plain. The Mishicama ocean, the Ctelm mountains, the Svetla, Menla, Vesi, Meuna, and Efrat rivers, the nations of Ismahi, Azgami, Koto, Melináe, and Érenat, lake Como, the Arosd delta, and the cities of Kebropol, Lädau, Avéla, Ydamai, Raizumi, Nuveta, Kereta, Mituré, Gödo, Mogör, Melahdo, Trezhda, Mabola, and Pelym all have Monkhayic names.
<p>The first states of men in the Plain were Monkhayic: <b>Como</b> and <b>Methaiu</b> on the upper Svetla, established about Z.E. -1150. By the time they appeared, men had lived in the Plain for twenty thousand years, and the Monkhayic peoples were divided into dozens of mutually incompatible languages.
<IMG Align=right SRC="287.gif" width=352 height=285 title="The Plain in Z.E. 287">
<p>Civilization and trade spread the prestigious dialects of the cities, and just before the Eastern invasion we are aware of three major speech varieties: that of <b>Okiami</b> and <b>Methaiu</b> in the south, that of <b>Davur</b> along the lower Svetla, and that of <b>Agimbea</b> and <b>Newor</b> along the Serea and the Mishicama littoral.
<p>The Easterners pushed the Monkhayic peoples (those who were not absorbed) north and east (-375). Refugees from Davur established the kingdom of <b>Davrio</b> on Kebri.
<p>Most of these lands were conquered by Munkhâsh (440), except for the littoral (reorganized as <b>Leziunea</b>) and Kebri.
<p>The continental Monkhayic peoples (and, for about two centuries, even Kebri) were incorporated into the Cadhinorian empire as it pushed back and ultimately destroyed Munkhâsh (1667), and though the Monkhayic languages persisted throughout the entire classical area, colonization and Cadhinorization eventually replaced Monkhayic languages everywhere except two areas, <b>Kebri</b> (plus some regions of Érenat and, till recently, the island of Koto) and <b>Monkhay</b>, the mountainous southwestern corner of Dhekhnam.
<p>The relationship between Kebreni and Monkhayu (both the languages and the peoples) has been obscured by long isolation. In addition, Kebreni has been highly influenced by Cadhinor, Ismaîn, and Verdurian, and has borrowed from languages further afield, the Kebreni being great seafarers; while Monkhayu is heavily influenced by Dhekhnami, Caizuran, and Sarroc.
<p>"Monkhayu", which has given its name to the language family, simply means "the people"; compare Kebreni <i>neh'ada</i>.
<h3><a name="Methaiun"><font color="#000060">Methaiun</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Top]</font></font></a></h3>
This grammatical sketch concentrates on Kebreni, but also relates what is known of its ancestor, the Monkhayic language of the littoral.
<p>Following Verdurian scholars, we will call it <b>Methaiun</b>, after the state of Methaiu-- although the language of pre-invasion Methaiu was actually a southern Monkhayic language.
<p>This is certainly the most rickety of the ancient languages presented in this volume, not excluding proto-Eastern. To begin with, there are no direct ancient attestations; the Monkhayic peoples were illiterate, and remained so till the Cadhinorians conquered them. The problem is compounded by the extreme distance between Monkhayu and Kebreni; only a few hundred cognates can be identified.
<p>Our sources for Methaiun are as follows:<ul>
<li> Attestations from ancient Cuzeian and Cadhinorian sources: lines of poetry, borrowed words, names of historical figures, word lists from the few Cadhinorian writers who interested themselves in the peoples of the littoral or of Sarnáe.
<li> Place names, attested in ancient or modern times.
<li> Reconstructions based on the dialects of Kebreni, which are quite divergent, especially in the remoter areas: Kernoia, the valleys of Érenat, and Koto (whose language still has uses in the courts and temples).
<li> Information from Monkhayu. </ul>
Note that reconstruction based on Kebreni and Monkhayu gives not Methaiun but proto-Monkhayic, which predates it by two milennia or more.
<p>Methaiun may be taken as an idealized form of the Monkhayic language of Kebri and the littoral, some time before the Munkhâshi invasion. I say 'idealized' because none of our sources are completely satisfactory. The Cadhinorians were not linguists, and adapted the Monkhayic words to the sounds of Cadhinor in order to write them down; while the reconstructions are biased toward the eastern area. Still, the overlap of the two methods is large and reassuring, and where divergences are systematic they can be taken as belonging to western and eastern dialects of Methaiun.
<h3><a name="Phonology"><font color="#000060">Phonology</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Top]</font></font></a></h3>
The sounds of modern standard <b>Kebreni</b> are as follows.
<table>
<tr><td><td><b>labial <td><b>dental <td><b>palatal <td><b>velar <td><b>glottal <td colspan=3><b>vowels</b>
<tr><td><b>stops</b> <td>p <td>t <td>c <td>k <td> <td>i <td>y <td>u
<tr><td> <td>b <td>d <td><td>g
<tr><td><b>fricatives</b> <td>f <td>th s <td>h' s' <td> <td>h <td>e <td> <td>o
<tr><td> <td>v <td>z <td>z'
<tr><td><b>nasals</b> <td>m <td>n <td> <td>ng <td> <td><td>a
<tr><td><b>liquids</b> <td> <td>l r
</table>
<p>Kebreni is written using the Verdurian alphabet. The orthographic representations of the above sounds are as follows.
<p><IMG Align=baseline SRC="kebri-alf.gif" width=390 height=138 title="Kebreni orthography">
<p><b>c</b> is a true palatal stop /c/, and should not be confused with any sort of affricate.
<p><b>s'</b>, though it's written using the Verdurian sh, is a dorso-prepalatal fricative [s;], the same as the Polish s' or Chinese x. One recipe for producing it is to start with a sh and adding more palatal friction to it-- say sh, think [ç]. <b>z'</b> is the voiced equivalent.
<p>The <b>h</b> is pronounced as in English (and Old Verdurian), while <b>h'</b> is a palatal fricative /ç/, as in German <i>ich</i>.
<p><b>k</b> is pronounced like a Verdurian c /k/, not a k /q/. Kebreni has sensibly used Cadhinor's two back stop symbols for two points of articulation, but the points are moved up a stop.
<p><b>ng</b>, pronounced [ng], is a fairly marginal phoneme, occuring only between vowels. Some dialects lack it, saying [ngg] instead.
<p>Long <b>aa</b> is often written <b>ä</b>, as in Verdurian.
<p>Doubled consonants (as in <b>linna</b> 'lord') are drawn out, as in English <i>pen knife</i>, not <i>penny</i>.
<p><b>Stress</b> is placed on the last syllable if it ends in a consonant, otherwise on the second-to-last vowel: <b>Kébri, Kebropól, pah'ár, Leléc, s'aída, nizy'ru, Raazám, my'gu, paús'te, kulséu, ingaréi</b>. Since stress is completely predictable, it is never indicated orthographically.
<p>Kebreni is a <i>syllable-timed</i> language-- one where each syllable takes up an equal amount of time-- rather than a stress-timed one like English, where stresses occur at roughly equal intervals. Unstressed syllables in Kebreni retain their clear vowel sounds.
<p>The sounds of <b>Methaiun</b> are reconstructed as follows:
<table>
<tr><td><td><b> labial </b> <td><b>dental</b> <td><b>palatal</b> <td><b>velar</b> <td><td colspan=3><b>vowels</b>
<tr><td><b>stops </b> <td>p <td>t <td> <td>k <td><td>i <td><td> u
<tr><td> <td>b <td>d <td><td>g
<tr><td><b>fricatives </b> <td>f <td>th s <td>ch <td>kh <td><td>e <td> <td>o
<tr><td> <td>v <td>z <td>j <td>gh
<tr><td><b>nasals </b> <td>m <td>n <td><td><td> <td><td>a
<tr><td><b>liquids </b><td> <td>l r
<tr><td><b>semivowel</b> <td>w
</table>
<p>This schema should be viewed as our best guess; it is certainly wrong in spots, and phonetic interpretations are quite uncertain.
<p>We really have no idea how <b>ch</b> was pronounced. The Kebreni reflex is s'. We use ch because this is its reflex in Verdurian names inherited from Methaiun. In Cadhinor it was usually written t, tr, or ts, suggesting a palatal stop or affricate.
<h3><a name="Morphology"><font color="#000060">Morphology</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Top]</font></font></a></h3>
Only verbs (including predicate adjectives) have a true inflectional morphology; nouns and attributive adjectives are not inflected, and the remnants of inflection among the pronouns are not synchronically salient. However, there is a productive derivational morphology.
<h4><a name="Verbs"><font color="#000060">Verbs</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Top]</font></font></a></h4>
Kebreni verb inflection is quite different from that of the Eastern languages such as Verdurian. Verbs are not inflected for person, number, or tense. Rather, the chief categories of inflection are <b>aspect</b>, <b>politeness</b>, <b>volition</b>, and <b>effect</b>.
<p>In addition, inflection is accomplished by vowel interchange, vowel change, and infixing, not by affixation.
<h5><font color="#000060">Aspect (imperfective and perfective)</font></h5>
<p>The citation form of the verb is the <b>imperfective</b>:
<blockquote>
<b>kanu</b> I see, you see, he was seeing...
<br><b>diru</b> I work, you work, he was working...
<br><b>sudy</b> I am called, you are called...
</blockquote>
<p>The final -<b>u</b> is not part of the root; it's a grammatical ending. It dissimilates to -<b>y</b> when the last vowel of the root is <b>u</b>, as in <i>sudy</i>.
<p>To form the <b>perfective</b> you switch the last two vowels. (This relationship holds for all the other forms described below, as well.)
<blockquote>
<b>kuna</b> I have seen, I saw...
<br><b>duri</b> I have worked, you worked...
<br><b>sydu</b> I was once called...
</blockquote>
<p>Perfective forms are used for <b>completed</b> actions, no matter what time they occur. Thus you'd use the imperfect <b>diru</b> for "I was working", because you weren't done yet; and the perfective <b>kuna</b> for "I will read it", if you mean you'll read it and finish.
<p>An explicit time may always be indicated with adverbs:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Pah'ar kanu pol. </b>
<br>Tomorrow you will see the city.
<br><b>Pah'ar kuna pol. </b>
<br>Tomorrow you will have seen (everything in) the city.
</blockquote>
Note that Kebreni transitive or ditransitive verbs, used with one less noun phrase, express a passive meaning. Thus
<blockquote>
<p><b>Melah' <u>kuna</u> neku. </b>
<br>The king saw the cat.
<br><b>Neku <u>kuna</u>. </b>
<br>The cat was seen.
<p><b>Nyne <u>h'ouz'i</u> aisel. </b>The girl lost the key.
<br><b>Aisel <u>h'ouzi</u>. </b>The key is lost.
<p><b>Gymu <u>sudy</u> kulseu 'H'ulo'. </b>
<br>We call the commander 'Idiot'.
<br><b>Kulseu <u>sudy</u> 'H'ulo'. </b>
<br>The commander is called 'Idiot'.
</blockquote>
<p>Schematically:
<blockquote>
NP V<font size=2>o</font> NP = S V O
<br>NP V<font size=2>o</font> = O V
<br>NP V<font size=2>oo</font> NP NP = S V O O
<br>NP V<font size=2>oo</font> NP = O V O
</blockquote>
<p>Some English verbs work this way as well; but all Kebreni verbs do.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Falte s'enen <u>trus'e</u> lyh'. </b>Your boy broke the window.
<br><b>Lyh' <u>trus'e</u>. </b>The window broke.
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060">Volition</font></h5>
<p>To form the volitional, add an initial <b>e</b>, voice the initial consonant (if any), then switch the first two vowels (that is, the added <b>e</b>- plus what was the first vowel of the root). A final -<b>y</b> returns to -<b>u</b>.
<blockquote>
<b>agenu</b> I intend to see, I will see, see! (volitional, uncompleted action)
<br><b>agune</b> I intended to see, I will have seen (volitional, completed action)
<p><b>ideru</b> I intend to work, I will see, work!
<br><b>idure</b> I intended to work, I will have worked...
<p><b>uzedu</b> I intend to call, I intend to be called...
<br><b>uzude</b> I intended to call / no longer be called...
</blockquote>
<p>The volitional forms emphasize that the agent consciously <b>intends</b> the action (imperfective) or the result (perfective).
<blockquote>
<p><b><u>Pucso</u> mabu. </b>
<br>I kicked the dog (perhaps accidentally).
<br><b><u>Obucse</u> mabu. </b>
<br>I kicked the dog (on purpose).
</blockquote>
<p>It is frequently used for a future event (<b>lahu</b> 'come' --> <b>alehu</b> 'I will come'), and by extension as an imperative: <b>alehu</b> 'come!' Neither of these extensions is permitted with nonhuman subjects.
<p>There is no word for 'want' as an independent lexical item; some volitional expression must be substituted. Often in fact this is <b>agenu</b> 'want to see', but other verbs are used as appropriate:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Impuz'eu <u>agenu</u> bonnezi! </b>
<br>The publisher wants (lit. wants-to-see) the story!
<p><b>Linna <u>ezeh'epu</u> gembadi? </b>
<br>Does His Lordship want (lit. want-to-eat) breakfast?
</blockquote>
If the verb begins with a vowel, insert an <b>h</b> before the vowel switch: <b>adnedu</b> 'I added it' --> <b>ahednedu</b> 'I added it on purpose'. (<b>Es'u</b> 'to not be', discussed later, inserts <b>v</b> instead, for historical reasons.)
<h5><font color="#000060">Polite forms</font></h5>
<blockquote>
<b>karynu</b> I see, you see, he sees (uncompleted action)
<br><b>kurina</b> I have seen, you've seen, he's seen (completed action)
<p><b>agerynu</b> I intend to see, I will see, see! (volitional, uncompleted action)
<br><b>agurine</b> I intended to see, I will have seen (volitional, completed action)
</blockquote>
<p>Polite forms express <b>deference</b> toward a superior, or politeness to an equal. They are used with nobles and royalty, employers, military superiors, parents, in-laws, teachers, and so on. In addition the middle and upper classes use it with each other; but man and wife, siblings or cousins, or very close friends do not.
<blockquote>
<p><b>H'em <u>cyryru</u>? </b>Do I know you, sir?
<br><b><u>Alerihu</u>!</b> </b>Please come!
</blockquote>
<p>Note that the politeness applies to the listener, not to the referent.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Kulseu, falaute mabu <u>furina</u>; neh'at <u>obucrise</u>. </b>
<br>Commander, your dog is dead; a man kicked (it).
</blockquote>
<p>Polite forms are made by inserting -<b>ri</b>- within the verb root, before the last consonant; -<b>ry</b>- if the vowel in the next syllable is a <b>u</b>. The infix may divide a consonant cluster: <b>kulsu</b> 'command' --> <b>kulrysu</b>.
<p>In addition there are a few suppletive forms; e.g. <i>badu</i> 'eat' has the polite form <i>sehepu</i>; <i>tasu </i>'do' has the polite form <i>soru</i>, and so on. (Do not add -<b>ri</b>- to the suppletive forms; they are already polite.)
<h5><font color="#000060">Positive effect</font></h5>
<p>The <b>benefactive</b> implies that the given action <b>benefits the speaker</b> in some way:
<blockquote>
<b>keni </b>someone sees, to my benefit
<br><b>deri</b> someone works for me
<br><b>sidi </b>someone is called, and it helps or flatters me
<br><b>sythi </b> someone provides to me
</blockquote>
<p>It is formed by fronting the stem vowel (<b>a --> e, o -->e; u --> y, y --> i,</b> <b>i --> e, e</b> unchanged) and changing the final -<b>u</b> to -<b>i</b>. The perfective, volitional, and polite forms are formed according to the usual rules.
<p>The stem vowel is the last vowel of the root; e.g. <b>pansyru</b> 'someone kisses' --> <b>pansiri</b> 'someone kisses me'. (Verbs with stem <b>y</b>, like this one, have identical perfective and imperfective.)
<p>To indicate that the action was performed for the benefit of the <b>listener</b>, the infix -<b>ni</b>- is added before the final consonant of the root:
<p><b>kenini</b> someone sees, to your benefit
<br><b>deniri</b> someone works for you
<p>Compare:
<blockquote>
<p><b>H'azum diru keda. </b>Hazum is working on the house.
<br><b>H'azum <u>deri</u> keda. </b>Hazum is working on my house.
<br><b>H'azum <u>deniri</u> keda. </b>Hazum is working on your house.
<p><b>Kulseu nuzi melah'. </b>The commander spoke to the King. (from <i>nizu</i>, speak)
<br><b>Kulseu <u>nize</u> melah'. </b>The commander spoke to the King on my behalf.
<br><b>Kulseu <u>ninize</u> melah'. </b>The commander spoke to the King on your behalf.</b>
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060">Negative effect</font></h5>
<p>The <b>antibenefactive</b> implies that the given action <b>harmed the speaker</b> in some way. It's very common in the mouths of Kebrenis and essential for mastering colloquial speech.
<blockquote>
<b>kona </b>someone sees, to my loss
<br><b>dyra</b> someone works against me
<br><b>soda </b>someone is called, and it harms or insults me
<br><b>sutha </b> someone provides at my expense
<p><b>kano </b> someone saw, has seen, to my loss
<br><b>dary </b> someone worked against me
<p><b>adery </b> someone purposely worked against me
<br><b>oseda </b> they purposely call him that to spite me
<p><b>loriha</b> someone is coming to harm me (polite form)
</blockquote>
<p>It is formed by backing the stem vowel (<b>a --> o, e --> o, i --> y; y --> u, u --> o</b>, <b>o</b> unchanged) and changing the final -<b>u</b> to -<b>a</b>. The perfective, volitional, and polite forms are formed according to the usual rules.
<blockquote>
<b>Mabu <u>fano</u>. </b>The dog went and died on me.
<br><b>H'em <u>dyra</u>. </b>I'm killing myself by working.
<br><b><u>Kona</u> hem. </b>He watched me (in order to hurt me); he's spied on me.
<br><b><u>Obeka</u>. </b>Oh, fuck me.
</blockquote>
<p>Again, -<b>ni</b>- can be infixed to indicate that the action was performed to the harm of the <b>listener</b>.
<blockquote>
<b>Kulseu <u>nyniza</u>. </b>The commander is speaking against you.
<br><b>Lelec <u>pocnisa</u>? </b>Is Lelec kicking you?
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060"><a name="verbte">Subordinating form</a></font></h5>
<p>The <b>subordinating</b> form is used when there is another verb in the sentence. It's formed by moving the final vowel of the verb before the final consonant and adding -<b>te</b>. A labial stop becomes dental
and a voiced stop becomes unvoiced before the -<b>te</b>
(so <b>m --> n, p/b/d --> t, g --> c, z --> s,</b> etc.).
<blockquote>
<b>kanu </b>'say' --> <b>kaunte </b>'saying'
<br><b>diru </b>'work' --> <b>diurte </b>'working'
<br><b>kulsy </b>'command' --> <b>kulyste </b>'commanding'
<br><b>mimu </b>'deal' --> <b>miunte </b>'dealing'
<br><b>cih'cu</b> 'praise' --> <b>cih'ucte</b> 'praising'
</blockquote>
<p>This form has several uses. One is with <b><i>auxiliary verbs</b></i>, or any verb which takes another verb as a possible object. The -<b>te</b> form appears before the main verb, and after its objects:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Melah' <u>kaunte</u> elecu. </b>The king is able to see you.
<br><b>Kulseu gorkreha <u>kaunte</u> maru. </b>The commander is probably reading the ledger.
<p><b><u>Tarautte</b></u><b> hilu?</b> Do you like to dance?
<br><b>H'em </b><b><u>diurte</b></u><b> luha.</b> I came (in order) to work.
</blockquote>
<p>The <b>negative</b> in Kebreni is an auxiliary verb, <b>es'u</b> (polite <b>natu</b>):
<blockquote>
<p><b>H'em H'azum <u>cyurte</u> <u>es'u</u>. </b>
<br>I don't know Hazum.
<p><b>H'azum kulseu <u>kriuh'te</u> <u>us'e</u>. </b>
<br>Hazum won't kill the commander tomorrow.
<p><b>Pah'ar <u>lauhte</u> <u>natu</u>? </b>
<br>Aren't you coming tomorrow? (polite)
</blockquote>
<p>Note that volitional, politeness, and aspect inflections normally apply only to the main verb. One can make such finicky distinctions as the following--
<blockquote>
<b>diurte lahu </b>was/is coming to be working
<br><b>diurte luha </b>came to be working
<br><b>duirte lahu </b>was/is coming to work (and finish)
<br><b>duirte luha </b>came to work (and finish)
<br><b>diurte alehu </b>is intending to come to work
<br><b>iderute lahu </b>is coming intending to work
</blockquote>
<p>--but these are rare even in writing; normally only the base form (i.e. <b>diurte</b>) is used, and inflections are applied only to the auxiliary. Semantically, they are considered to apply to the auxiliary + verb combination-- e.g. for <b>diurte alehu</b> the intention is taken to apply to both the coming and the working; while for <b>diurte luha</b> the entire action-- coming to work-- is taken as being completed.
<p>Another usage of the -<b>te</b> form is as a <b><i>gerund</b></i> or modifier. The subordinated verb suggests the manner in which the main action was performed, or simply names a following or resulting action.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Kulseu <u>kaunte</u> nuzi. </b>
<br>The commander spoke watchfully (or, while watching).
<p><b>Nyne <u>pabautte</u> taradu. </b>
<br>The girl was laughing and dancing.
<p><b>Thazu mabu <u>krih'ute</u> pucso. </b>
<br>They kicked the dog to death.
<p><b>H'ulo cih'ucte <u>diurte</u> es'u. </b>
<br>The fool works without praising (God).
</blockquote>
<p>Finally -<b>te</b> is used to form <b><i>relative clauses</b></i>. In this usage volitional, aspect, and effect inflections (but not politeness infixes) can be applied to the subordinating form. Note that the clause precedes the modified noun.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Neh'at duri keda. </b>
<br>The man worked on the house -->
<br><b>[Diurte keda] neh'at alehu pahar.</b>
<br>[work-<font size=2>SUB</font> house] man come-<font size=2>VOL</font> tomorrow
<br>The man [who worked on the house] will come tomorrow.
<p><b>Kulseu nazy neh'at. </b>
<br>The commander spoke against me to the man -->
<br><b>[Kulseu nayste] neh'at sudy Kalum.</b>
<br>[commander spoke-<font size=2>ANTIB-SUB</font>] man name Kalum
<br>The man [the commander spoke to against me] is named Kalum.
<p><b>Melah' baku nyne. </b>
<br>The king is fucking the girl -->
<br><b>[Melah' baukte] nyne h'ilu h'ente mabu.</b>
<br>[king fuck-<font size=2>SUB</font>] girl likes my dog
<br>The girl [the king is fucking] is fond of my dog.
</blockquote>
<p>There is no relativizing pronoun. Note that if the subordinated verb is preceded by a subject, as in the last two sentences, the head of the clause must be taken as a direct or indirect object; if the verb begins the clause, as in the first example, the head must be the subject of the clause. Schematically:
<blockquote>
<p> NP V<b>te</b> NP = [S V] O
<br>V<b>te</b> NP NP = [V O] S
</blockquote>
<p>If the head noun refers to a place or time, the phrase is equivalent to a <b>when</b> or <b>where</b> clause in English-- again, these pronouns do not appear in Kebreni:
<blockquote>
<p><b>[vaac mygu moiutte] hah'c</b>
<br>the valley [where the blue ox was found]
<p><b>[pocuste melah'] re </b>
<br>the day [when I kicked the King]
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060">Conjugation table</font></h5>
For complex forms, form the (anti)benefactive first, then the volitional, then the perfective, then the listener suffix <b>-ni</b>, then (if there's no suppletive form) the polite <b>-ri-</b>, then the subordinating <b>-te</b>.
<p>Ellipses indicate that variations (the imperfective and the two volitional forms) are being left out.
<table>
<tr><td><td><td><i>'see'</i> <td><i>'work'</i> <td><i>'call'</i> <td><i>'laugh'</i> <td><i>'kick'</i> <td><i>'command'</i> <td><i>'not'</i>
<tr><td rowspan=8 bgcolor="#B0E8B0"><b>Neutral</b> <td><i>imperfective</i> <td>kanu <td>diru <td>sudy <td>pabadu <td>pocsu <td>kulsy <td>es'u
<tr><td><i>perfective <td>kuna <td>duri <td>sydu <td>pabuda <td>pucso <td>kylsu <td>us'e
<tr><td><i>volitional imp.</i> <td>agenu <td>ideru <td>uzedu <td>abebadu <td>obecsu <td>ugelsu <td>eves'u
<tr><td><i>volitional perf. <td>agune <td>idure <td>uzude <td>abebuda <td>obucse <td>ugulse <td>evus'e
<tr><td><i>polite imp.</i> <td>karynu <td>diryru <td>suridy <td>pabarydu <td>pocrysu <td>kulrisy <td>natu
<tr><td><i>polite perf. <td>kurina <td>duriri <td>syrydu <td>paburida <td>pucriso <td>kylrysu <td>nuta
<tr><td><i>vol. pol. imp.</i> <td>agerynu <td>ideryru <td>uzerydu <td>abebarydu <td>obecrysu <td>ugelrysu <td>anetu
<tr><td><i>vol. pol. perf. <td>agurine <td>idurire <td>uzuride <td>abeburida <td>obucrise <td>ugulrise <td>anute
<tr><td rowspan=6 bgcolor="#B0E8B0"><b>Benef.</b> <td><i>benef. imp. </i><td>keni <td>deri <td>sydi <td>pabedi <td>pecsi <td>kylsi <td>es'i
<tr><td><i>benef. perf. <td>kine <td>dire <td>sidy <td>pabide <td>picse <td>kilsy <td>is'e
<tr><td><i>vol. ben. imp.</i> <td>egeni <td>ederi <td>yzedi <td>abebedi <td>ebecsi <td>ygelsi <td>eves'i
<tr><td><i>vol. ben. perf. <td>egine <td>edire <td>yzide <td>abebide <td>ebicse <td>ygilse <td>evis'e
<tr><td><i>benef. polite</i> <td>kerini... <td>deriri... <td>syridi... <td>paberidi... <td>pecrisi... <td>kylrisi... <td>neti...
<tr><td><i>benef. 'you' </i><td>kenini... <td>deniri... <td>synidi... <td>pabenidi... <td>pecnisi... <td>kylnisi... <td>enis'i...
<tr><td rowspan=5 bgcolor="#B0E8B0"><b>Antib.</b> <td><i>antib. imp.</i> <td>kona <td>dyra <td>soda <td>paboda <td>pocsa <td>kolsa <td>os'a
<tr><td><i>antib. perf. <td>kano <td>dary <td>sado <td>pabado <td>pacso <td>kalso <td>as'o
<tr><td><i>vol. antib. imp.</i> <td>ogena <td>ydera <td>ozeda <td>abeboda <td>obecsa <td>ogelsa <td>oves'a
<tr><td><i>vol. antib. perf. <td>ogane <td>ydare <td>ozade <td>abebado <td>obacse <td>ogalse <td>ovas'e
<tr><td><i>antib. polite</i><td>korina... <td>dyrira... <td>sorida... <td>paborida... <td>pocrisa... <td>kolrisa... <td>nota...
<tr><td rowspan=4 bgcolor="#B0E8B0"><b>Subord.</b> <td><i>subordinating</i> <td>kaunte <td>diurte <td>suytte <td>pabautte <td>pocuste <td>kulyste <td>eus'te
<tr><td><i>subord. perf. <td>kuante <td>duirte <td>syutte <td>pabuatte <td>pucoste <td>kyluste <td>ues'te
<tr><td><i>sub. vol. imp.</i> <td>ageunte <td>ideurte <td>uzeytte <td>abebautte <td>obecuste <td>ugeluste <td>eveus'te
<tr><td><i>sub. vol. perf. <td>aguente <td>iduerte <td>uzyette <td>abebuatte <td>obuceste <td>uguleste <td>evues'te
<tr><td rowspan=3 bgcolor="#B0E8B0"><b>Deriv.</b> <td><i>one who does</i> <td>kaneu <td>direu <td>sudeu <td>pabadeu <td>pocseu <td>kulseu
<tr><td><i>'participle' <td>kaina <td>diera <td>suida <td>pabaida <td>pocisa <td>kulisa
<tr><td><i>action <td>kani <td>deri <td>sodi <td>pabadi <td>pacsi <td>kolsi
</table>
<h4><a name="Pronouns"><font color="#000060">Pronouns</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Top]</font></font></a></h4>
<table border=1>
<tr><td>
<td colspan=2><center>pejorative
<td colspan=2><center>ordinary
<td colspan=2><center>deferential
<td></tr>
<tr><td>person
<td>sing
<td>plural
<td>sing
<td>plural
<td>sing
<td>plural
<td></tr>
<tr><td>1 (I, we)
<td><b>cin</b>
<td><b>z'um</b>
<td><b>h'em</b>
<td><b>gymu</b>
<td colspan=2><center>--
<td></tr>
<tr><td>2 (you)
<td colspan=2><center><b>kuh'</b>
<td colspan=2><center><b>fal</b>
<td colspan=2><center><b>falau</b>
</tr>
<tr><td>3 (he, she, it, they)
<td colspan=2><center><b>vuh'</b>
<td><b>thah'</b>
<td><b>thaza</b>
<td><b>vep</b>
<td><b>vybu</b>
<td></tr>
</table>
<p>There are three sets of pronouns in Kebreni, which imply contempt, neutrality, or deference toward the referent.
<p>The <b>pejorative</b> first person forms (<b>cin, z'um</b>) are humilifics, used to refer to oneself when speaking with a superior; the remaining pejorative forms (<b>kuh'</b> and <b>vuh'</b>-- one does not bother with any number distinction) are used to refer to those of lower classes (or, of course, to insult someone by referring to them as inferiors).
<p>The <b>deferential</b> second person form <b>falau</b> is an honorific, used to refer to a listener or listeners who are social superiors; its use roughly correlates with the use of the polite forms of verbs. Note that the third person forms (<b>vep, vybu</b>) express deference to the person referred to, not (unlike polite verbs) to the listener. There are no deferential first-person pronouns.
<p>For all of these pronouns, possessive forms can be made by adding -<b>te</b> (which forces a preceding labial stop to assimilate): <b>h'ente '</b>my (ordinary)', <b>falaute</b> 'your (deferential)', <b>vuh'te </b>'his/her/its/theirs (pejorative)'.
<p>It must be emphasized that pronouns are optional, and indeed to be avoided, in Kebreni. They are used only when necessary for clarity. For direct address, in fact, it's preferable to use honorifics and titles:
<blockquote>
<b>Linna, agenu gembadi? </b>
<br>Lord, [do you] want [your] breakfast?
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060">Demonstratives</font></h5>
<p>'This' and 'that', as adjectives, are <b>gem</b> and <b>kuri</b> (the relation to 'one' and 'two' is obvious, but the direction of semantic borrowing is not!): <b>gem nyne</b> 'this woman', <b>kuri palaz'nu </b>'that thorn-bush'.
<p>As standalone pronouns these become <b>gente</b> 'this one' and <b>kurite</b> 'that one'. (This is actually a standard nominalizing use of the clitic -<b>te</b> with adjectives.)
<p><b>Myra</b> 'here', <b>tomo</b> 'there', <b>z'ada</b> 'now' and <b>bada</b> 'then' function as adverbs.
<h5><font color="#000060"><a name="Interrogative">Interrogative pronouns</a></font></h5>
<p>The standard interrogative anaphora are:
<blockquote>
<b>s'ava </b>who, what
<br><b>s'ete</b> which (of what quality)
<br><b>as'eve </b>why (a volitional form of <i>s'ava</i>: i.e., 'wanting what?')
<br><b>ciz'e </b>how, in what way
<br><b>s'anu</b> where (locative verb)
<br><b>s'ere</b> when
<br><b>bigynte</b> how much, how many<i></i>
</blockquote>
<p>Unlike in English, the interrogative anaphora cannot be used in relative clauses. Subordinated clauses usually have no explicit subordinator at all. See <a href="#Complex">Complex sentences</a> below for examples.
<h5><font color="#000060">Quantifiers and indefinite pronouns</font></h5>
<p>Quantifiers are ordinary adjectives, and like any adjectives are nominalized with -<b>te</b>.
<blockquote>
<b>fyn </b>none
<br><b>fynte </b>nothing, no one
<br><b>biha </b> some, any
<br><b>bihate </b>something, someone, anything, anyone
<br><b>kum </b> many, much
<br><b>kunte </b>many things, many people
<br><b>orat </b> all, every
<br><b>oratte </b>everything, everyone
</blockquote>
<p>There are no words meaning "everywhere", "sometime", and so on; instead one uses expressions like <b>biha re</b> 'some day', <b>orat hami</b> 'every land', <b>fyn hah'cte zani</b> 'in every valley', etc.<i></i>
<h4><a name="Numbers"><font color="#000060">Numbers</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Top]</font></font></a></h4>
The Methaiun counting system was based on counting on fingers and toes-- the 10 fingers and 8 toes of an Almean.
<blockquote>
<table>
<p><td>1 <td><i>grem</i> (related to 'this')
<tr><td>2 <td><i>kuri</i> (related to 'that')
<tr><td>3 <td><i>dama</i>
<tr><td>4 <td><i>ghakakh</i> ('almost (a hand)')
<tr><td>5 <td><i>amua</i> ('hand')
<tr><td>6 <td><i>migrem amua</i> ('with-one hand')...
<tr><td>9 <td><i>ghakakh kuri</i> ('almost two (hands)')
<tr><td>10 <td><i>kuramua</i> ('two hands')
<tr><td>11 <td><i>poc pinakh</i> ('down to the feet')
<tr><td>12 <td><i>mikuri kuramua</i> ('two hands with two')
<tr><td>14 <td><i>mipoc kuramua</i> ('two hands with a foot')
<tr><td>15 <td><i>migrem mipoc kuramua</i> ('two hands with a foot with one')
<tr><td>18 <td><i>oranda nekhad</i> ('entire man')
<tr><td>324 <td><i>dikumi</i> (related to <i>kumi</i> 'many')
<tr><td>5832 <td><i>theleth</i>
</table>
</blockquote>
<p>Under the influence of Cuêzi and Cadhinor, a decimal system was adopted; but the Kebreni numbers from 1 to 19 still show their origins in the Methaiun system:
<blockquote>
<table>
<p> <td>1 <td><b>gem </b> <td>11 <td><b>pinah' </b>
<tr><td>2 <td><b>kur</b> <td>12 <td><b>migram </b>
<tr><td>3 <td><b>dam</b> <td>13 <td><b>midakram</b>
<tr><td>4 <td><b>hak </b> <td>14 <td><b>mipoc </b>
<tr><td>5 <td><b>amma</b> <td>15 <td><b>mipokemai </b>
<tr><td>6 <td><b>migem</b> <td>16 <td><b>mipokurai </b>
<tr><td>7 <td><b>migur</b> <td>17 <td><b>hakraida </b>
<tr><td>8 <td><b>midam</b> <td>18 <td><b>raida </b>
<tr><td>9 <td><b>hakur</b> <td>19 <td><b>raigemai </b>
<tr><td>10 <td><b>kram </b> <td>20 <td><b>kur kram </b>
</table>
</blockquote>
The numbers from 21 to 99 are formed on the model <i>[tens]</i> <b>kram</b> <i>[digits]</i>-<b>ai</b>: 21 = <b>kur kram gemai</b>, 37 = <b>dam kram migurai</b>. In fast counting, <i>kram</i> is omitted.
<p>It's still possible to count by 18s: <b>raida, kuraida, dam raida</b>...
<p><b>dygum</b> (from <i>dikumi</i>) has become the word for 100, while <b>myga</b> '1000' was borrowed from Cuêzi. The same basic model is followed: 487 = <b>hak dygum midam kram migurai</b>, 3480 = <b>dam myga hak dygum midam kramai</b>.
<p>There are two ways of numbering noun phrases: by inserting the number before the noun, or by subordinating the noun and following it with the number:
<blockquote>
<b><u>dam</u> kyr lah'</b> <i>or</i> <b>kyr lah'te <u>dam</u> </b>
<br>three green fields
</blockquote>
<p>The subordinated form is more formal, and is preferred in writing, or with very long numbers.
<p>The suffix -<b>eh'</b> (-<b>h'</b> after vowel) forms ordinal numbers: <b>gemeh'</b> 'first', <b>raidah' </b>'eighteenth'.
<h4><a name="Derivational"><font color="#000060">Derivational morphology</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Top]</font></font></a></h4>
<h5><font color="#000060">Nominalizers</font></h5>
<p>With adjectives, nominalizations with -<b>gu</b> name the abstract quality; with nouns and verbs, they generally name a countable action, result, or associated entity.
<blockquote>
<b>kanu</b> 'see' --> <b>kangu</b> 'vista'
<br><b>bothynu</b> 'fight' --> <b>bothengu</b> 'battle'
<br><b>syh</b> 'strong' --> <b>sygu</b> 'strength'
<br><b>s'en</b> 'honorable' --> <b>s'engu</b> 'honor'
</blockquote>
<p>With nouns and verbs, -<b>au</b> (Meth. -<i>adio</i>) is an abstract nominalizer, comparable to our -<i>tion</i>; with adjectives it names an object with the given quality.
<blockquote>
<b>adnedu </b>'add' --> <b>adnedau</b> 'addition'
<br><b>kanu</b> 'see' --> <b>kanau</b> 'vision'
<br><b>maru</b> 'be probable' --> <b>marau</b> 'probability'
<br><b>melah'</b> 'king' --> <b>melah'au </b>'royalty, kingship'
<br><b>ty</b> 'round' --> <b>tyau</b> 'tube, pipe'<b></b>
</blockquote>
<p>For simple actions, a name for an instance of the action can be formed by lowering the last root vowel (<b>i, y --> e; e, o --> a; u --> o, a </b>unchanged) and adding -<b>i</b>:
<blockquote>
<b>rih'u</b> 'count' --> <b>reh'i</b> 'count, counting'
<br><b>pocsu </b>'kick' --> <b>pacsi</b>'kick'
<br><b>taradu </b>'dance' --> <b>taradi </b>'dance'
<br><b>z'ynu </b>'go' --> <b>z'eni </b>'departure'
<br><b>kulsy </b>'command' --> <b>kolsi </b>'command'<b></b>
</blockquote>
<p>The suffix -<b>nu</b>, usually accompanied by raising of the last root vowel (<b>a --> e, e --> i, o --> u, </b>others unchanged) names a concrete thing related to the root object or action.
<blockquote>
<b>gyru </b>(Meth. <i>ger</i>-) 'rise' --> <b>hernu </b>(Meth. <i>gerno) </i>'stair'
<br><b>kam</b> 'oak' --> <b>kamnu</b> 'acorn'
<br><b>muk </b>'new' --> <b>muhnu </b>'news'<b></b>
</blockquote>
<p>To <b>pluralize</b> a noun, you follow the formula (X)V<font size=2>1</font>C(V<font size=2>2</font>) --> (X)V<font size=2>1</font>C[+vcd]V<font size=2>1</font>. The status of pluralization in Kebreni is quite different from languages such as Verdurian and English, where it is obligatory and grammaticalized. It is an optional derivation in Kebreni; it can be thought of as forming a collective noun-- 'a unit formed by more than one X.'
<blockquote>
<b>hami</b> 'land' --> <b>hama </b>'lands, large area, nation'
<br><b>neh'at</b> 'man' --> <b>neh'ada </b>'people'
<br><b>cai</b> (Meth. <i>kiodi</i>) 'mountain' --> <b>cadu</b> (Meth. <i>kiodo</i>) 'mountain range'
<br><b>bez' </b>'grape' --> <b>bez'e </b>'bunch of grapes'
<br><b>lore </b>'horse' --> <b>loro </b>'team of horses'<b>
</blockquote>
<p>-na</b> is an augmentative; -<b>ih'</b> is a diminutive.
<blockquote>
<b>h'ir</b> 'long' --> <b>h'irna</b> 'very long'
<br><b>siva </b>'sand' --> <b>sivana </b>'desert'
<br><b>lezu</b> 'forest' --> <b>Lezyna</b> 'Leziunea = big forest'
<p><b>zeveu </b>'friend' --> <b>zevih' </b>'little friend'
<br><b>tada</b> 'father' --> <b>tadih' </b>'dad'
<br><b>nyne</b> 'maiden' --> <b>nynih'</b> 'little girl'<b></b>
</blockquote>
<p>-<b>eu</b> names a <b>person</b> who does the action, comes from a place, or has a certain quality:
<blockquote>
<b>kulsy</b> 'command' --> <b>kulseu</b> 'commander'
<br><b>taradu </b>'dance' --> <b>taradeu </b>'dancer'
<br><b>Verdura </b>'Verduria' --> <b>Verdureu </b>'Verdurian'
<br><b>zev</b> 'loyal' --> <b>zeveu</b> 'friend'
</blockquote>
<p>The Methaiun equivalent was formed by replacing the final root vowel of the verb with -<b>u</b>- and suffixing -<b>i</b>. This formation is found in a few old words:
<blockquote>
<i>ghis-</i> 'cure' --> <i>ghusi </i>(<b>hus</b>) 'doctor'
<br><i>brin- </i>'watch' --> <i>bruni </i>(<b>brun</b>) 'shepherd'
</blockquote>
<p>-<b>ec</b> has about the same meaning, but specifically names a feminine referent. Kebreni is usually not concerned to do so (e.g. <b>melah'</b> means both king and queen), but may use -<b>ec</b> in a few cases where the occupation is chiefly female (e.g. <b>mah'ec</b> 'prostitute') or where it's desired to refer to a couple without awkwardness-- e.g. a dance manual describing a duet may refer to the <b>taradeu</b> and <b>taradec</b>. The suffix is most commonly used to form girls' names.
<blockquote>
<b>lele</b> 'cute, pretty' --> <b>Lelec </b>
<br><b>lezu </b>'forest' --> <b>Lezec</b>
</blockquote>
<p>Methaiun -<i>(gh)umi</i>, whose Kebreni reflex is -<b>um</b>, named someone who lives in a particular place; it's related to <i>ghami</i> 'land': thus <i>limighumi</i> 'highlander'. As a productive prefix, it has been replaced by -<b>eu</b> in Kebreni; but -<b>um</b> is still found in personal names and in inhabitant-names of very old cities:
<blockquote>
<b>kal </b>'bee' --> <b>Kalum
<br>s'ogu </b>'ridge' --> <b>S'ogum
<br>Laadau</b> --> <b>Laadum </b>'person from Laadau'
<br><b>Kathinah' </b>'Cadhinas' --> <b>Kathynum </b>'Cadhinorian'<b></b>
</blockquote>
<p>A manufacturer of something is named with -<b>teu</b> (a reduced form of <b>taseu</b> 'maker'):
<blockquote>
<b>nabira </b>'ship' --> <b>nabirateu </b>'shipwright'<b></b>
</blockquote>
<p>Given a verbal root CVX<font size=2><sup>n</sup></font>, the formula VC[+vcd]VX<font size=2><sup>n</sup></font><b>e</b> names a <b>tool</b> which accomplishes the action, or a substance which exemplifies it (contrast -<b>eu</b>, which is always a person):
<blockquote>
<b>paz'u </b>'cut' --> <b>abaz'e </b>'knife'
<br><b>thanu </b>'harm' --> <b>athane </b>'weapon'
<br><b>treh'</b> 'black' --> <b>etreh'e </b>'ink'<b></b>
</blockquote>
<p>The suffix -<b>es'a</b> creates a concrete nominalization of an adjective: an object having the quality named by the adjective:
<blockquote>
<b>gem</b> 'one' --> <b>genes'a </b>'primacy (among interested parties), lien'
<br><b>h'ir </b>'long' --> <b>h'ires'a </b>'street'<b></b>
</blockquote>
<p>-<b>arei</b> names a <b>place</b>:
<blockquote>
<b>suthy</b> 'provide' --> <b>sutharei</b> 'store'
<br><b>lore</b> 'horse' --> <b>lodarei</b> 'stable' (with dissimilation)
<br><b>nizu</b> 'speak' --> <b>nizarei </b>'forum'<b></b>
</blockquote>
<p>The proprietor or manager of such a place is named with the suffix -<b>areu</b> (unless there already exists a simple form with -<b>eu</b>, e.g. <b>sutheu</b> 'provider, storekeeper'):
<blockquote>
<b>ingarei </b>'tavern' --> <b>ingareu</b> 'tavernkeeper'
</blockquote>
<p>From toponyms and nobles' names we learn of a vowel-harmonizing <b>honorific </b>prefix <b>me</b>- in Methaiun: <i>Monkhado</i> (Monkhayu), <i>Michiaghama</i> (Mishicama)<i>, meNeula</i> (Menla), <i>melekh</i> 'king'<i>, <i>myvun</i> 'leader'. </i>It's also seen in Methaiu, Meuna, Mevost, Meto:re. The prefix is not seen in modern Kebreni, and usually disappears in cognates: <i>S'ahama</i> 'Mishicama', <i>neh'ada</i> 'the people'.
<h5><font color="#000060">Adjectivizers</font></h5>
<p>The subordinator -<b>te</b>, attached to a single word, in effect turns it into an adjective.
<blockquote>
<b>keda </b>'house' --> <b>kedate</b> 'domestic'
<br><b> neh'ada </b>'people' --> <b>neh'adate </b>'popular'
<br><b>diru</b> 'work' --> <b>dirte </b>'relating to work'
</blockquote>
<p>Attached to expressions referring to people, including pronouns, it serves as a genitive:
<blockquote>
<b> falau </b>'you' --> <b>falaute </b>'your'
<br><b>nyne</b> 'maiden' --> <b>nynete </b>'maiden's'
<br><b> Verdureu </b>'Verdurian' --> <b>Verdureute </b>'Verdurian's'
</blockquote>
<p>An adjective related to a geographic expression is formed with -<b>en</b>:
<blockquote>
<b>Kebri </b>'Kebreni' --> <b>kebren</b> 'Kebreni'
<br><b>Ernaituh'</b> 'Érenat' --> <b>ernaituhen</b> 'Érenati'
</blockquote>
<p>The infix -<b>n</b>- + final -(<b>y</b>)<b>r</b> gives an adjective meaning 'having the quality of X' or 'liable to X':
<blockquote>
<b>boh'tu </b>'water' --> <b>bontur </b>'wet'
<br><b>men</b> 'hill' --> <b>mennyr </b>'hilly'
<br><b>h'ulo </b>'idiot' --> <b>h'unlor </b>'idiotic'
<br><b>zeveu</b> 'friend' --> <b>zevenur</b> 'friendly'
<br><b>krih'u </b>'kill' --> <b>krinh'yr</b> 'murderous'
<br><b>pabadu</b> 'laugh' --> <b>pabandyr</b> 'amusing'
</blockquote>
<p>The infix -<b>su</b>- gives an adjective meaning 'made of X':
<blockquote>
<b>siva</b> 'sand' --> <b>sisuva</b> 'sandy'
<br><b>h'eda</b> 'stone' --> <b>h'esuda</b> 'stony'
<br><b>kam</b> 'oak' --> <b>kasum </b>'oaken'
</blockquote>
<p>The meaning of an adjective may be intensified by infixing -<b>u</b>- before the last consonant, or diminished by infixing -<b>i</b>-:
<blockquote>
<b>h'ir</b> 'long' --> <b>h'iur </b>'very long', <b>h'iir </b>'not long'
<br><b>s'aida </b>'beautiful' --> <b>s'aiuda </b>'breathtakingly beautiful'
<br><b>s'e </b>'small' --> <b>s'ei </b>'tiny'
</blockquote>
<p>A similar process can be seen in Meth. <i>nauni</i> 'young man', <i>niune</i> 'young woman' (but it's obscured by sound change in Kebreni: <b>nen, nyne</b>).
<p>-<b>i</b><i>C</i><b>a</b> where -<i>C</i> is the final consonant of the root, or -<b>e</b>C<b>a</b> after -<b>i</b>-, means 'that has been Xed'. This sounds like a past participle, but it is never a verbal form, nor can it even be used predicatively; it can only be used to modify a noun, or as a nominalization.
<blockquote>
<b>nizu </b>'say' --> <b>nieza </b>'spoken'
<br><b>suthy</b> 'provide' --> <b>suitha </b>'provisions'
<br><b>kulsy </b>'command' --> <b>kulisa</b> 'what is commanded', lexicalized as 'fleet'
<br><b>nabru </b>'sail' --> <b>nabira </b>'what is sailed', i.e. a ship
</blockquote>
<p>The suffix -<b>lecsu</b> (from <b>lecu</b> 'can'), added to a verb, means equally 'that can be verbed' or 'that can verb'; context generally indicates which.
<blockquote>
<b>badu </b>'eat' --> <b>badlecsu </b>'edible'
<br><b>z'aiz'igu</b> 'marry' --> <b>z'aiz'iglecsu</b> 'marriageable, nubile'
<br><b>tres'u </b>'break' --> <b>tres'lecsu </b>'breakable'
</blockquote>
<p>The infix -<b>at-</b>, used to produce antonyms in Methaiun, is no longer productive:<i></i>
<blockquote>
<i>zewi</i><b> </b>'loyal' --> <i>zatewi</i> 'disloyal, treasonous'
<br><i>chiam- </i>'aproach' --> <i>chatiam- </i>'move away from'
</blockquote>
<p>An adjective can be negated with <b>bu</b>- (borrowed from Cadhinor):
<blockquote>
<b>doh't </b>'correct' --> <b>budoh't </b>'incorrect'
<br><b>gauryr</b> 'pure' --> <b>bugauryr </b>'impure'
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060">Verbalizers</font></h5>
<p>Nouns can be fairly freely converted into verbs by adding -<b>u</b> (replacing a final vowel):
<blockquote>
<b>dyrh'i </b>'credit (entry)' --> <b>dyrh'u </b>'(enter as a) credit'
<br><b>nabra </b>'sail' --> <b>nabru </b>'sail'
<br><b>alat </b>'silver coin' --> <b>aladu </b>'spend money'
</blockquote>
<p>A syntactic alternative, to use the verb <b>tasu </b>'do', is extremely productive, especially for vague nonce forms:
<blockquote>
<b>sutharei</b> 'store' --> <b>sutharei tasu </b>'shop'
<br><b>zeveu </b>'friend' --> <b>zeveu tasu </b>'be friendly'
<br><b>thiron</b> 'market' --> <b>thiron tasu </b>'go to market'
</blockquote>
<p>The suffix -<b>s</b>- forms verbs with the meaning 'to use X (in the obvious way)' or 'to act like X':
<blockquote>
<b>poc</b> 'foot' --> <b>pocsu </b>'kick'
<br><b>bry </b>'eye' --> <b>brysu </b>'keep an eye on'
<br><b>s'emu </b>'fish' --> <b>s'emsu </b>'swim'
<br><b>mygu </b>'ox' --> <b>mycsu </b>'haul'
</blockquote>
<p>The infix -<b>ma</b>- means 'to make X' or 'to acquire X':
<blockquote>
<b>syl</b> 'dark' --> <b>symalu</b> 'darken'
<br><b>hazik </b>'proud' --> <b>hazimaku </b>'make proud'
<br><b>kur </b>'two' --> <b>kumaru </b>'split'
<br><b>s'emu </b>'fish' --> <b>s'emamu </b>'fish'
<br><b>alat </b>'silver' --> <b>alamatu</b> 'scrounge up cash'
</blockquote>
<p><b>Locative verbs</b> can be prefixed to verbs, often with the effect of specifying a direction or purpose for the action. Often an abbreviated form of the locative is used.
<blockquote>
<b>ebu</b> 'be away from' + <b>diru</b> 'work' --> <b>ebdiru</b> 'take off work'
<br><b>dynu</b> 'be above' + <b>rih'u</b> 'count' --> <b>dyrh'u</b> 'count as a credit'
</blockquote>
<p>These expressions derive from a subordinated verb: <i>eupte diru --></i> <i>ebdiru</i>.
<h3><a name="Syntax"><font color="#000060">Syntax</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Top]</font></font></a></h3>
<h4><a name="Parameter"><font color="#000060">Parameter order</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Top]</font></font></a></h4>
Kebreni, lacking case marking or articles to signal case relationships, uses word order instead. The basic word order is SVO:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Linna Kalum, gente botheneu az'eiz'irygu falaute nynih'. </b>
<br>Lord Kalum, this soldier wants to marry your daughter.
<p><b>H'azum, linna agenu hus.</b>
<br>H'azum, the Lord needs a doctor.
</blockquote>
<p>To mark <b>focus</b>, a constituent is moved to the front of the sentence. With compound sentences, the constituent in focus may serve as subject and object both in the the sentence; context usually serves to keep the meaning clear, without any unusual syntax or the insertion of pronouns.
<blockquote>
<p><b><u>Muk botheneu</u> sudy Kamum, eh'c kulseu h'ilu.</b>
<br>The young soldier, [he] is named Kamum, and the commander likes [him].
<p><b><u>Linnate nyne</u> gegeu miz'ynu gembadu.</b>
<br>As for the lord's daughter, the servants are bringing breakfast [to her].
</blockquote>
<p>Note that when there are two noun phrases before the verb and no object after it, the first must be the object. If there's just one noun phrase before the verb, it's both subject and focus.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Hus nynete baba <u>agenu</u> z'e.</b>
<br>As for the doctor, the girl's mother wants to see him too.
<p><b>Nynete baba <u>agenu</u> hus z'e.</b>
<br>As for the girl's mother, she wants to see the doctor too.
<p><b>Neh'at <u>guma</u> mabu.</b>
<br> Man bites dog. (focus unmarked or on 'man')
<p><b>Mabu <u>guma</u> neh'at. </b>
<br>Dog bites man. (focus unmarked or on 'dog')
<p><b>Neh'at mabu <u>guma</u>. </b>
<br>As for the man, the dog bit him. (focus on 'man')
<p><b>Mabu neh'at <u>guma</u>. </b>
<br>As for the dog, the man bit him. (focus on 'dog')
</blockquote>
<p>Schematically:
<blockquote>
NP V = S V
<br>V NP = V O
<br>NP V NP = S V O
<br>NP NP V = O S V
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060">Indirect objects</font></h5>
<p>Kebreni makes no morphological distinction between direct and indirect objects. One or both can appear after the verb, or be fronted for emphasis. The indirect object follows the direct object if both are given.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Kulseu h'uvy vez'a <u>taradeu</u>.</b>
<br>The commander gave the bottle to the dancer.
<br><b><u>Nyne</u> mugeu h'uvy s'emu. </b>
<br>The girl was given a fish by the young man.
<p><b>S'emu nyne muh'a. </b>
<br>As for the fish, the girl sold it.
</blockquote>
<p>Another way of putting this is that verbs like <b>h'yvu</b> 'give' are <i>ditransitive</i> in Kebreni, like <b>sudy</b> 'call (someone) (something)'.
<p>Schematically:
<blockquote>
NP V NP = S V O
<br>NP NP V = O S V
<br>NP V NP NP = S V O O
<br>NP NP V NP = O S V O
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060">Verbs of movement</font></h5>
<p>The destination of a verb of movement is not morphologically marked in Kebreni; it's treated as a second object.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Linna, z'yrynu <u>Laadau</u>. </b>
<br>Lord, we're going to Laadau.
<br><b>Kuri thanih'te neh'at lahu <u>z'umte keda</u>? </b>
<br>Is that annoying man coming to our house?
<p><b>Imez'ynu s'emu <u>tada</u>. </b>
<br>Bring a fish to your father.
</blockquote>
<p>However, the source of a movement is indicated using a locative verb (discussed <a href="#Locative">below</a>):
<blockquote>
<p><b><u>Laaven</u> <u>eupte </u>lahu eh'c bohru. </b>
<br>They're coming from Laaven and they stink.
</blockquote>
<h4><a name="NP"><font color="#000060">Noun phrases</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Index]</font></font></a></h4>
<h5><font color="#000060">Order</font></h5>
<p>Modifiers-- including adjectives, numbers, relative clauses and locative expressions-- always precede the noun:
<blockquote>
<p><b>kur <u>mabu</u> </b> two dogs
<br><b>gem s'aida hazigai <u>nyne</u> </b> that beautiful and proud maiden
<br><b>thanih'te <u>neh'at</u> </b> an annoying man
<br><b>kaunte melah' <u>mabu</u> </b> a dog that looks at a king
<br><b>sivana s'aunte <u>turgul</u> </b> the battalion near the desert</b>
</blockquote>
<p>Kebreni's strong modifier-modified order would lead a linguist to suspect that it was once an OV language, which has changed, perhaps, under the influence of Verdurian. The evidence is equivocal; we do not have many actual texts in Methaiun. However, they do seem to be predominantly SOV.
<h5><font color="#000060">The -<i>te</i> relativizer</font></h5>
<p>The root meaning of -<b>te</b> is to reduce an expression to an attribute. It reduces a noun or noun phrase to an adjectival expression, a verbal expression to a subordinate clause.
<p>With a single noun (or pronoun), a -<b>te</b> expression has an adjectival or possessive quality:
<blockquote>
<p><b><u>falaute</u> gem </b> one of you
<br><b><u>tadate</u> zevu </b> father's friend
<br><b><u>neh'adate</u> nizarei </b> the people's forum
<br><b><u>kedate</u> zivan </b> the inside of the house (lit. the house's inside)
</blockquote>
<p>The same can be said of longer expressions that are themselves -<b>te</b> expressions:
<blockquote>
<p><b><u>falaute gente</u> mygu </b>the ox belonging to one of you
<br><b><u>Kalunte tadate</u> zevu </b>Kalum's father's friend
<br><b><u>neh'adate</u><u> </u><u>nizareite</u> dirau </b>the work of the people's forum
</blockquote>
<p>With more complex expressions -<b>te</b> functions like a relative clause:
<blockquote>
<p><b><u>dama rete</u> ebdiru </b>a three-day holiday; a holiday that's three days long
<br><b><u>h'ulo tauste</u> melah' </b>a king who acts like an idiot
<br><b><u>keda ziunte te</u> mygu </b>the ox that's in the house</b>
</blockquote>
<p>Finally, a -<b>te</b> clause can stand on its own, meaning 'the one(s) which...':
<blockquote>
<p><b>Fal buda Kazumte bez'e eh'c h'em buda <u>Lelecte</u>.</b>
<br>You ate Kazum's grapes and I ate Lelec's.
<p><b>Ruh'i <u>Avelah' eupte lauhte</u>? Thah' miry.</b>
<br>Did you count the one who comes from Avéla? He's rich.
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060">Existence and equivalence</font></h5>
<p>There is no verb 'to be' in Kebreni; the closest equivalent is <b>zaru </b>'exist, be there'.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Dama gegeu <u>zaru</u>, eh'c dama vez'a <u>zaurte es'u</u>.</b>
<br>(Lit.) Three servants exist, and three bottles do not exist.
<br>There's three servants and three missing bottles.
<p><b>Bothengu ziunte cih'ica ingarei <u>zura</u>. </b>
<br>In Boggola there used to be a praiseworthy tavern.
</blockquote>
<p>There is no verb 'have' either; <b>zaru</b> with effect inflections serves for this.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Keda, kur gegeu, eh'c s'emu <u>zeri</u>.</b>
<br>I have a house, two servants, and a fish. (Lit, they exist for my benefit.)
<p><b>Lelena lelena nyne <u>zeniri</u>.</b>
<br>You have a very, very cute daughter. (Lit., she exists for your benefit.)
</blockquote>
<p>Negative effect inflections are used when the possession is disadvantageous.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Keda eupte symanlur kangu <u>zora</u>.</b>
<br>I have a boring view from my house.
<p><b>Paru ziunte cuka <u>zonira</u>.</b>
<br>You have a pimple on your lip.
</blockquote>
<p>Third-person possession can only be indicated by possessive expressions, e.g.:
<blockquote>
<p><b><u>Kulseute</u> pabandyr lore zaru.</b>
<br>(Lit.) The commander's amusing horse exists.
<br>The commander has an amusing horse.
</blockquote>
<p>There is no attributive 'be' at all; to say that X is Y you normally simply adjoin the two noun phrases.
<blockquote>
<p><b>H'ente tada bez'arei eh'c baba taradeu.</b>
<br>My father is a vintner and my mother is a dancer.
</blockquote>
<p>To say that X belongs to the class Y, you can use <b>sudy</b> 'be called':
<blockquote>
<p><b>Ebrankrah' sudy krah'. </b>
<br>Cinnabar is (lit. is called) a mineral.
</blockquote>
<p>To reveal that X is actually Y, one can use the expression X Y<b>ai</b> <b>gensu</b> 'X and Y are one'; the opposite can be indicated with <b>kursu</b> 'be two, differ':
<blockquote>
<p><b>Linna, krih'u loreai <u>genrysu</u>. </b>
<br>My lords, the killer is-- the horse. (Lit., the killer and the horse are one.)
<p><b>Falte tada eh'c taradeu <u>kursu</u>. </b>
<br>Your father is no dancer. (Lit., your father and a dancer differ.)</b>
</blockquote>
<h4><a name="Adjectives"><font color="#000060">Adjectives</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Index]</font></font></a></h4>
<h5><font color="#000060">Attributes</font></h5>
<p>Adjectives used attributively appear before the noun, without modification: <b>s'aida seth</b> 'a beautiful jewel'; <b>thanih'te z'em h'ulo</b> 'an annoying old idiot'.
<h5><font color="#000060">Predicates</font></h5>
<p>As predicates they are a bit more complicated; in effect they are partially converted into verbs. No copula is used. In the simplest form, the adjective simply appears after the noun, in verbal position:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Krih'eu <u>z'em</u>. </b>The killer is old.
</blockquote>
<p>The politeness infix -<b>ri</b>- must be used in the same situations it would be used on a verb:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Falte nyne s'aida. </b>
<br>Your daughter is beautiful. (ordinary)
<p><b>Falaute nyne <u>s'airida</u>. </b>
<br>Your daughter is beautiful. (polite)
</blockquote>
<p>The predication is negated using the auxiliary <b>es'u</b> and the subordinator -<b>te</b>, as with verbs, and other auxiliaries may be used as well:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Gem mabu <u>z'ente es'u</u>. </b>
<br>This dog is not old.
<p><b>Melah' <u>miryte maru</u>. </b>
<br>The king is probably rich.
</blockquote>
<p>Adjectives which already end in -<b>te</b> do not add it again:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Falau <u>thanih'te erys'u</u>! </b>
<br>You are not annoying, sir!
</blockquote>
<p>A perfective can be formed by appending -<b>u</b> (replacing a final vowel if any) and interchanging it with the previous vowel. Use -<b>y</b> instead if the latter is also a -u-.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Krih'eu s'audi. </b>
<br>The killer is no longer beautiful. (Cf. <i>s'aida</i> 'beautiful')
<p><b>Falte nyne mycu. </b>
<br>Your daughter is no longer young. (Cf. <i>muc</i> 'young']</b>
</blockquote>
<p>Predicate adjectives are not inflected for volition or effect.
<h5><font color="#000060">Substantives</font></h5>
<p>An adjective can be used as a substantive by suffixing -<b>te</b>: <b>syhte</b> 'the strong (ones)', <b>kyrte</b> 'the green (ones).'
<p>The subordinated form may also appear attributively; in this form and position it can be interpreted as a one-word relative clause.
<p>Note the difference between:
<blockquote>
<p><b>nyyl nabira </b>a slow ship
<br><b>nyylte nabira </b>a ship that is slow
<br><b>nyylte </b>a slow one
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060">Comparatives</font></h5>
<p>There is no morphological comparative. A comparative "X is more Q than Y" is formed using an expression that literally means "As opposed to Y, X is very Q."
<blockquote>
<p><b>Cadec ceuste polte nyne leule. </b>
<br>hill-girl opposing city-<font size=2>SUB</font> girl cute-<font size=2>AUG</font>
<br>A city girl is cuter than a hillbilly girl.
<p><b>Bodu ceuste s'emu bontuurte es'u. </b>
<br>frog opposing fish wet-<font size=2>AUG-SUB</font> not</b>
<br>A fish is not wetter than a frog.
</blockquote>
<p>Instead of <b>bontuurte es'u</b> 'not very wet' we could say <b>bontuir</b> 'little wet'; but the negative expression is preferred in speech, where the difference from <b>bontuur</b> 'very wet' is not marked.
<p>Note that where we use comparative forms Kebreni often uses the augmentative or diminutive forms: <b>nyul lore</b> 'slower horses', literally 'very slow horses'. Reduplication is also found, especially in speech: <b>kasus kasus re</b> 'a windy, windy day'.
<h5><font color="#000060">Adverbs</font></h5>
<p>Before a verb, the -<b>te</b> form of an adjective serves as an adverb:<i></i>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Nyne nyylte taradu. </b>The girl was dancing slowly.
<br><b>Linna hazikte nuzi. </b>The lord spoke proudly.
</blockquote>
<p>This form can follow the verb if it would not be confused with an object: <b>nuzi hazikte</b> is all right, but <b>taradu nyylte</b> would mean 'danced a slow one'. It can be fronted for emphasis, but only by placing it in its own subclause with <b>tasu/soru</b> 'do':
<blockquote>
<p><b><u>Hazikte tauste</u> linna nuzi. </b>
<br>Proudly the lord spoke. (Lit., Doing proudly, the lord spoke.)
</blockquote>
<h4><a name="Conjunctions"><font color="#000060">Conjunctions</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Index]</font></font></a></h4>
Kebreni has two ways of saying <i>and</i>, with slightly different meanings: <b>eh'c</b>, which appears between the conjoined constituents, and -<b>ai</b>, which attaches to the second constituent, voicing a final consonant and replacing the final vowel of a diphthong.
<p>Applied to two (or more) modifiers, -<b>ai</b> forms an intersection, <b>eh'c</b> a union, of the meaning of the modifiers. For instance, <b>muk syhai neh'at</b> and <b>muk eh'c syh neh'at </b>both mean "the young and strong men"; but <b>muk syhai neh'at</b> means the men who are both young and strong (the intersection of 'young men' and 'strong men'), while <b>muk eh'c syh neh'at </b>means the young men and the strong men (the union of 'young men' with 'strong men').
<p>The third logical possibility is a disjunction-- the men that are young or strong but not both-- and this corresponds to <b>ga</b> 'or': <b>muk ga syh neh'at</b> 'the old or the young men (but not both)'.
<p>Similarly, applied to separate words, -<b>ai</b> implies that both conjoints describe the same referent(s) or action, <b>eh'c</b> that they are separate, and <b>ga</b> that only one applies:
<blockquote>
<p><b>H'em falaai inezu. </b>
<br>You and I (as a unit or team) will speak.
</blockquote>
(Here the referents are not the same. When the conjoints are obviously distinct, the meaning is that they form an indissoluble team, acting together.)
<blockquote>
<p><b>H'em eh'c falau inezu. </b>
<br>You will speak, and I will speak.
<br><b>H'em ga falau inezu. </b>
<br>Either you will speak, or I will speak.
<p><b>nyne taradeai </b>
<br>the girl and the dancer (who are the same), the girl dancer
<br><b>nyne eh'c taradeu </b>
<br>the girl and the dancer (who are two separate people)
<br><b>nyne ga taradeu </b>
<br>the girl or the dancer (but not both)
<p><b>Palec symalu thanih'uai. </b>
<br>Palec bores and she annoys (all at once, simultaneously).
<br><b>Palec symalu eh'c thanih'u. </b>
<br>Palec bores and she also annoys (two different attributes).
<br><b>Palec symalu ga thanih'u. </b>
<br>Either Palec bores, or she annoys (not at the same time).
</blockquote>
<p><b>Ga</b> is thus an exclusive or. There is no conjunction that has the meaning of inclusive or (X or Y or both, X and/or Y), but, as in English, one can add the 'and' case explicitly:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Melah' pabadu ga fanu <u>ga kur soru</u>. </b>
<br>The king will laugh or die or both (lit. "or do the two (of them)").
</blockquote>
<p>There is no conjunction 'but'-- which, linguistically, is an 'and' with a built-in implication of surprise or contrast. These connotations must be explicitly indicated in Kebreni.
<h4><a name="Locative"><font color="#000060">Locative verbs</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Index]</font></font></a></h4>
What we would express with prepositions is expressed using <b>locative verbs</b> in Kebreni, such as <b>zinu</b> 'be in or on', <b>nevu</b> 'be in the middle of'. These can be used as regular verbs:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Mygu <u>zinu</u> keda! </b>
<br>The ox is inside the house!
<p><b>Raazam <u>neryvu</u> hah'c. </b>
<br>Raizumi is in the middle of the valley (polite).
</blockquote>
<p>Most of them in fact <i>are</i> regular verbs-- e.g. <b>foru</b> 'follow', used as a locative verb with the meaning 'be behind', <b>mitu </b>'use' or 'be with'. The others were also once regular verbs, but are no longer used in their original meanings.
<p>More frequently a locative expression is used as a modifier or an adverbial; these are subordinate clauses in Kebreni. The locative verb conventionally ends the expression, although its parameter is technically a direct object (more evidence, perhaps, for Methaiun's OV nature):
<blockquote>
<p><b>ingarei ziunte </b>inside the tavern
<br><b>re neuvte </b>in the middle of the day
<p><b>[h'ir zeveu eupte] lyr muhnu </b>
<br>sad news [from an old friend]
<br><b>[lim men fourte] keda </b>
<br>the high hill [in back of the house]
<p><b>[melah' miutte] linna </b>
<br>the lords who support the king
<br><b>[[kaldu ziunte] gem bakte kal ] h'ulo </b>
<br>an idiot [without one fucking bee [in his hive]]
</blockquote>
<p>These expressions are so frequent that they are phonetically degraded. The -<b>u</b>- is often lost, or combines with a preceding -<b>i</b>- or -<b>e</b>- to form -<b>y</b>-, and the final -<b>e</b> may be lost as well, yielding such forms as <b>zynt'</b> 'inside' or <b>fort'</b> 'in back of'.
<p>English has at least one verb that acts like a locative verb-- 'contain'. Kebreni locative verbs all act like 'contain'. Compare:
<blockquote>
<table>
<tr><td><b>Kona <u>zinu</u> cih'ta</b> <td><b>cih'ta <u>ziunte</u> </b>
<tr><td>The money is in the box <td>in the box
<tr><td><b>Cih'ta <u>zadinu</u> kona</b> <td><b>kona <u>zadiunte</u> </b>
<tr><td>The box contains money <td>containing money
</table>
</blockquote>
<p>The most common locative verbs, and the abbreviations used in derivations from them, are shown below, with some examples:
<table>
<tr><td><b>brynu
<td>bry
<td></b>facing, before, about
<td><i>keda bryunte </i>'in front of the house', <i>kriidi bryunte</i> about books'
<td></i></tr>
<tr><td><b>dynu
<td>dy
<td></b>up, on top of, over
<td><i>cadu dyunte</i> 'over the mountains'
<td></tr>
<tr><td><b>ebu
<td>eb
<td></b>out (of), off, (away) from
<td><i>Kebri eupte</i> 'outside Kebri'
<td></tr>
<tr><td><b>cezu
<td>cez
<td></b>against, despite
<td><i>z'aiz'ega ceuste </i>'against the marriage'<i>
<td></i></tr>
<tr><td><b>foru
<td>for
<td></b>behind, in back of
<td><i>keda fourte </i>'behind the house'<i>
<td></i></tr>
<tr><td><b>fuzu
<td>fu
<td></b>without
<td><i>s'emu fuuste </i>'without a fish'<i>
<td></i></tr>
<tr><td><b>mitu
<td>mi
<td></b>with, using; supporting
<td><i>abaz'e miutte</i> 'with a knife'<i>
<td></i></tr>
<tr><td><b>nevu
<td>ne
<td></b>in the middle of, among, through, during
<td><i>nabira neufte</i> 'in the middle of the ship', <i>mur neufte</i> 'for an hour'<i>
<td></i></tr>
<tr><td><b>ponu
<td>po
<td></b>below, under
<td><i>broga pounte</i> 'under the table'<i>
<td></i></tr>
<tr><td><b>s'adamu
<td>s'ada
<td></b>far (from)
<td><i>pol s'adaunte </i>'far from the city'<i>
<td></i></tr>
<tr><td><b>s'amu
<td>s'a
<td></b>around, surrounding, near
<td><i>turgul s'aunte</i> 'surrounding the battalion'<i>
<td></i></tr>
<tr><td><b>vekru
<td>vek
<td></b>as, like
<td><i>gauryr vekurte</i> 'like a virgin'<i>
<td></i></tr>
<tr><td><b>zinu
<td>zi
<td></b>in, inside, at, on(general locative)
<td><i>lah' ziunte </i>'in the field', <i>men ziunte </i>'on top of the hill', <i>thiron ziunte</i> 'at market'<i>
<td></i></tr>
<tr><td><b>zadinu
<td>zadi
<td></b>containing, including
<td><i>seth zadiunte </i>'containing a jewel'<i>
<td></i></tr>
</table>
<b>Time</b> metaphorically flows not forward but downward in Kebreni:
<blockquote>
<p><b>mur dyunte </b>an hour ago (lit., up an hour)
<br><b>mur pounte </b>an hour later, after one hour (lit., down an hour)
</blockquote>
<p>One can flow with a <b>river</b> or against it; expressions of support work the same way.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Tama miutte </b>with (down) the Serea
<br><b>Tama ceuste </b>against (up) the Serea
<br><b>melah' miutte/ceuste </b>for/against the king
</blockquote>
<p>Finally, note that interrogative 'where' is a locative verb:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Syna s'anu? </b>
<br>Where is the waterfall?
</blockquote>
<h4><a name="Questions"><font color="#000060">Questions</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Index]</font></font></a></h4>
<h5><font color="#000060">Yes-no questions</font></h5>
<p>Yes-no questions are indicated with intonation alone:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Lahu? </b>Are you coming?
<br><b>H'ulo, miz'yunte h'ithane es'u? </b>
<br>Idiot, you didn't bring your sword?
</blockquote>
<p>A positive question is answered by repeating the verb or by contradicting it with the negative auxiliary <b>es'u</b>; there are no words for 'yes' or 'no'.
<blockquote>
<p><b>Lahu. </b>Yes, I'm coming.
<br><b>Es'u. </b>No, I'm not coming.
</blockquote>
<p>To agree with a negative question, you again repeat the verb, which of course is the negative auxiliary <b>es'u</b>; to disagree with it you use the main verb:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Es'u. </b>Yes, I didn't bring it.
<br><b>Miz'ynu. </b>No, I did bring it.
</blockquote>
<p>Tag-questions are formed with <b>es'u</b> (polite <b>natu</b>), without subordinating the main verb:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Laadum s'emuste lecu, es'u? </b>
<br>Someone from Laadau knows how to swim, doesn't he?
<p><b>Melah' karynu h'em, natu? </b>
<br>The King will see me, won't he?
</blockquote>
<p>It should come as no surprise that a negative tag-question is formed by appending the non-negative main verb:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Fal fuuste kona es'u, fuzu? </b>
<br>You don't have any money, do you?
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060">Question words</font></h5>
<p>Unlike in English, question words are not fronted; they remain in the syntactically appropriate spot:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Fal cyru <u>s'ava</u>? </b>
<br>Who do you know? (Lit., you know who?)
<p><b>Mah'u <u>s'ava</u> loreai? </b>
<br>You sold the horse and what else? (Lit., you sold what and the horse?)
<p><b>Oteurte lore zeveu <u>s'anu</u>?</b>
<br>Where's this friend of yours who wants a horse?
<p><b>Kuna <u>s'ete</u> s'emu?</b>
<br>What kind of a fish did you see? (Lit., you saw what-kind-of fish?)
<p><b>Kylsu <u>bigynte</u> ladu? </b>
<br>How many olives did you order?
</blockquote>
<h4><a name="Complex"><font color="#000060">Complex sentences</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Index]</font></font></a></h4>
See also the section on <a href="#verbte">Subordinating form</a> under <i>Verbs</i>.
<h5><font color="#000060">Sentences as objects</font></h5>
<p>Verbs such as <i>say</i> or <i>know</i> can take sentences as objects. If the object is in its usual place, after the verb, no special syntactic marking is employed:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Cyru [Verdureu ameh'u baba].</b>
<br>We know [that Verdurians would sell their mothers.]
<p><b>Kulseu nizu [turgul zinu kuri s'ogu].</b>
<br>The commander says [the battalion is on that ridge.]
</blockquote>
<p>If it's desired to front the sentential object, it should be followed by <b>gente</b> 'this one' or <b>kurite</b> 'that one':
<blockquote>
<p><b>[Verdureu ameh'u baba] gente cyru?</b>
<br>[Verdurian sell-VOL mother] this-one know?
<br>That Verdurians would sell their mothers, do we know this?
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060">Adverbial conjunctions</font></h5>
<p>The conjunctions <b>eh'c</b> and <b>ga</b> can be used for entire sentences:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Melah' zinu ingarei <u>eh'c</u> ingareu zinu h'yr.</b>
<br>The king is in the tavern, <u>and</u> the tavernkeeper is in the castle.
<p><b>H'ilu inga <u>ga</u> ingarei ziunte s'aida nyne diru.</b>
<br>Either he likes the wine, or a beautiful girl works in the tavern.
</blockquote>
<p>Other relations between sentences are expressed by more specialized conjunctions. These are often expressed by adverbial clauses in English. Thus English <i>adverb X (adverb) Y</i> becomes <i>X (conj) Y </i>in Kebreni:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Melah' kaaryru <u>pema</u> falau yh'eryvu h'ithane.</b>
<br><u>When</u> the king returns, you will give him your sword.
<p><b>Melah' kaurte natu <u>hez'</u> falau oteryru h'iitiru.</b>
<br><u>If</u> the king does not return, (then) you will take his sash.
<p><b>H'em h'ouz'i kriida <u>immi</u> konarei mengu.</b>
<br><u>Because</u> I lost the mortgage document, the bank is whining.
</blockquote>
<p>The conjunction is considered to modify the first (X) clause. To second clause can however be fronted if a demonstrative is left in its place:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Konarei mengu, h'em h'ouz'i gemes'ate kriida <u>immi kurite</u>. </b>
<br>The bank is whining, because I lost the mortgage document.
</blockquote>
<p>"To do X in order to Y" is expressed by placing X in the volitional and subordinating Y:
<blockquote>
<p><b>Alamaute aeladu. </b>
<br>get-money-SUB spend-money-VOL
<br>In order to get money, you must spend money.
<p><b>Z'yunte Kebropol h'em oteru lore.</b>
<br>go-SUB Kebropol I acquire-VOL horse
<br>I want to get a horse in order to get to Kebropol.
</blockquote>
<h5><font color="#000060">Relative clauses</font></h5>
<p>As noted under <a href="#Interrogative">Pronouns</a>, interrogative pronouns cannot be used as relative clauses (that is, to form subordinate clauses).
<p>Where English would use 'what', 'who' 'where', or 'when', Kebreni uses the subordinating form of the verb:
<blockquote>
<p><b>[Z'aiz'iute kulseu] taradeu h'iulte es'u.</b>
<br>The dancer [who married a commander] doesn't like him.
<p><b>[Cuka miute] gente eves'u.</b>
<br>I don't want to see the one [who has a pimple].
<p><b>Yz'enu [hamaida nyne tarautte] ingarei.</b>
<br>I want to go to the tavern where the naked girls dance.
</blockquote>
<p>An English sentence with relative 'why' will be expressed using <b>immi</b> 'because' in Kebreni:
<blockquote>
<p><b>[Z'yunte Laadau immi] cyurte es'u.</b>
<br>I don't know [why he's going to Laadau].
<br>(Lit., I don't know because he's going to Laadau.)
</blockquote>
<h3><a name="Example"><font color="#000060">Example</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Index]</font></font></a></h3>
This selection, from a newspaper article by S'enum Polyr, shows the typical romantic, slightly defensive Kebreni patriotism. It is given in transliteration with an interlinear translation, then in a free English translation.
<p>In the interlinear translation, for brevity, I've used the English possessive or gerundive to represent subordinating forms of nouns and verbs, respectively. However, I've used verbal forms to translate locative verbs; prepositions would misrepresent the structure of Kebreni.
<p>Writing addressed to the world in general (stories, essays, textbooks, news articles) generally does not use the polite forms. When the writer has a specific audience in mind (speeches, petitions, personal letters, sermons), polite forms are used. They are not used in religious language or in legal documents--not signs of disrespect for gods or negotiation partners, but of the age of such language, predating the grammaticalization of politeness.
<h4><font color="#000060">Zivan eh'c eban</font></h4>
<p><b>Uneitsu Kebri. Nuutsi s'ava? </b>
<br>think-<font size=2>VOL</font> Kebri. think-<font size=2>PERF</font> what?
<p><b>Hah'c ziunte sylgu, luda kuguynte men, boh'tunate geira thaupte yvyre. </b>
<br>valley being-in<font size=2> </font>shadow, olive-tree filling hill, sea's sound lapping boats.
<p><b>Nuitu ziunte kanu hazik pol, nabirateu eh'c konarei eh'c ingarei miutte, </b>
<br>mind being-in see proud city, shipbuilder and bank and tavern using,
<p><b>geru kebrite ceirate lyyr zauguai, ansu s'aida kebren nynete h'ir mova, </b>
<br>hear kebri's song's sadness glory-and, feel beautiful kebreni girl's long hair,
<p><b>debru falte hah'c ga falte noh'a ziunte tauste iz'ele, Kebri ziunte dynyr.</b>
<br>taste your valley or your island being-in making cheese, kebri being-in top.
<p><b>Fal kebren immi nuitsu orat kurite.</b>
<br>you kebreni because think all that-<font size=2>NOM</font>.
<p><b>Verdureu nuitsu, kebri zikanu gente: ingu, ladute gezu, nabira eh'c zateuguai. </b>
<br>verdurian think, kebri mean this-<font size=2>NOM</font>: wine, olive's oil, ship, and enmity.
<p><b>Gymu h'ih'unte Ruh'tyrte rema hami, toryuvte Theh'nam hami, moreo as'caite melah' bryunte ledeu.</b>
<br>we burning arcaln's bridge land, trading dhekhnam land, moreo ashcai's king facing rival.
<p><b>Oratte ceuste, nana miutte, tasu oradam ziunte dynyr ingu, </b>
<br>all-<font size=2>NOM</font> opposing, methods using, make world being-in top wine, <b>
<p>Kelenor Luis'orai ceuste h'auv miuryai.</b>
<br>celenor luyshor-and opposing good-<font size=2>AUG</font> rich-<font size=2>AUG</font>-and.<font size=2></font>
<p><b>Gensi eh'c gennisi. Kanu gymu oradam vekurte: </b>
<br>same-for-me and same-to-you. see us world seeming:
<p><b>bucuelecsu cynaute kumbehsu meclau. </b>
<br>irreducible experience's miscellaneous mixture.
<p><b>Ebaneu kanu bemas' miutte-- gente ceuste, gymu kaunte eus'te z'aite thaza kanu. </b>
<br>outsider see caricature with-- this-<font size=2>NOM</font> opposing, we seeing not-<font size=2>SUB</font> things they see.
<p><b>Bobabeu nuituste es'u h'ymu kunnar. </b>
<br>drunkard thinking not-<font size=2>PRES</font> drinks too-much.
<p><b>Kanarei gemeh' doh'tte es'u, kureh' doh'tte es'u: </b>
<br>viewpoint first right-<font size=2>SUB</font> not, second right-<font size=2>SUB</font> not-<font size=2>PRES</font> :
<p><b>neh'atte z'aite miutte, nenkanyr kanarei zaurte es'u.</b>
<br>man's thing having, objective viewpoint existing not.
<h4><font color="#000060">Inside and outside</font></h4>
<p>Think of Kebri. What do you think of? You think of the shadows on the valleys, the hills carpeted by olive trees, the sound of the sea lapping against boats. You see in your mind the proud cities, with their shipbuilders and banks and taverns, hear the sadness and glory of Kebreni songs, feel the long hair of beautiful Kebreni girls, taste the particular cheese made in your own valley or island--the best on Kebri. You think all this because you are Kebreni.
<p>To the Verdurians, Kebri means these things: wine, olive oil, ships-- and enmity. We are the land which burned the Arcaln Bridge, the land that trades with Dhekhnam, the rival before the king of Moreo Ashcai. And at the same time, somehow, we make the finest wine in the world, better and richer than that that of Célenor or Luyshor.
<p>It is the same way with each one of us. We see ourselves as a world-- a jumbled mixture of irreducible experience. Outsiders see us in caricature-- but may also see what we do not see: the drunkard never thinks he drinks too much. Neither point of view is the correct one; with human things, there is no objective viewpoint.
<h3><a name="Sound"><font color="#000060">Sound changes</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Top]</font></font></a></h3>
The following sound changes can be postulated between Methaiun and Kebreni.
<br>C = any consonant
<br>F = front vowel
<table>
<tr><td>CC --> C <td><td>treggeur --> treh'yr
<tr><td>[+fric] --> [-fric] <td>/ _[+liquid] <td>Davrio --> Dabru, khras --> krah'
<tr><td>e --> y <td>/ C,#_Cu <td>keruna --> kyruna
<tr><td>i --> y <td>/ C,#_C<font size=2><sup>n</sup></font>u <td>kijur --> kyz'ur
<tr><td>g --> x <td>/ _F <td>geilas --> h'ilah'
<tr><td>g --> gh <td>/ _C <td>mogdo --> moghdo --> mohdu
<tr><td>r --> i <td>/ g_ <td>grem --> giem --> gem
<tr><td>s, z --> [+velar] <td>/ _[+stop], _# <td>ghask --> hah'c, girilas --> h'irilah'
<tr><td>k --> c <td>/ _i <td>vaiki --> vaac, kiodi --> cai
<tr><td>ai --> aa <td><td>Laita --> Lädau
<tr><td>oi --> e <td><td>Awoilas --> Avelah'
<tr><td>au --> e <td><td>saumi --> sem
<tr><td>Fu --> y <td><td>briu --> bry, neuli --> nyl
<tr><td>io --> a <td>/ _C <td>kiodi --> cai
<tr><td>o --> u <td>/ _(C<font size=2><sup>n</sup></font>)# <td>mog --> muk, arosd --> ruh't
<tr><td>w --> v <td><td>Newor --> Nevur, Awoilas --> Avelah'
<tr><td>kh --> h' <td><td>kham --> h'am
<tr><td>[+vcd+stop] --> 0 <td>/ V_F <td>kiodi --> cai, Dobauron --> Doerun
<tr><td>i --> 0 <td>/ _V <td>lesio --> lezu
<tr><td>[-vcd+obs] --> [+vcd] <td>/ V_V <td>sifa --> siva, Gutein --> Gudin, Laita --> Lädau
<tr><td>e --> 0 <td>/ _ i, a <td>geilas --> h'ilah', Leziunea --> Lezyna
<tr><td>i --> 0 <td>/ C_# <td>raisi --> raas
<tr><td>r --> 0 <td>/ C_# <td>godri --> godr --> god --> got
<tr><td>ch --> s' <td> <td>Chengo --> S'engu
<tr><td>j --> z' <td>/_ <td>jindor --> z'indur
<tr><td>gh -->h <td><td>ghask --> hah'c, mogdo --> moghdo --> mohdu
<tr><td>k --> c <td>/ by x, s' <td>ghask --> hah'k --> hah'c
<tr><td>n --> i <td>/ _[+dental] <td>chanda --> s'aida
<tr><td>m --> n <td>/ by [+dental] <td>admettan --> adnedan, khamsifa --> h'ansiva
<tr><td>h --> 0 <td>/ _x <td>moggeur --> moghxyr --> mohxyr --> moxyr
<tr><td>n --> 0 <td>/ _s <td>tanso --> tasu
<tr><td>[+stop] --> [-vcd] <td>/ _# <td>vaiki --> vaaci --> vaac, mog --> muk
</table>
Curiously, the voicing of medial consonants (e.g. <i>demettan --> demedu</i>) seems to be an areal feature, shared with Ismaîn and the Avélan dialect of Verdurian.
<h3><a name="Lexicon"><font color="#000060">Lexicon</a> <font size=-1><a href="#contents">[To Top]</font></font></a></h3>
The first column gives the Kebreni word; the second is the Methaiun equivalent, if any.
<p>Kebreni and its ancestor Methaiun have been in close contact with Cuêzi and the Cadhinorian languages for close to four milennia, and there has been extensive borrowing in both directions.
<p>Methaiun borrowings <b>into Cuêzi </b>include <i>geo:re</i> 'castle', <i>nîdo</i> 'wheel', <i>nêsei</i> 'parley', <i>auo:ni</i> 'treaty', <i>navera</i> 'sail', <i>ancua</i> 'sea serpent', <i>girin</i> 'ibis', <i>sêori</i> 'octopus', <i>crinu </i>'papyrus', <i>execu</i> 'lentil', <i>ladu</i> 'olive', <i>mexera</i> 'type of herb', <i>cioti:ro</i> 'type of flower', <i>tala:uas</i> 'orange', <i>xariu</i> 'luck', <i>trîgo</i> 'soot'.
<p>Methaiun borrowings <b>from Cuêzi</b> include <i>aviza</i> 'university', <i>numygur</i> 'hermit', <i>kriida </i>'paper', <i>eri</i> 'map', <i>ris </i>'pen', <i>gunah' </i>'hero', <i>eklura</i> 'sensual abandon, <i>kelun</i> 'bronze', <i>mardah'</i> 'iron', <i>lidah'</i> 'steel', <i>fadora</i> 'fountain', <i>myga</i> 'thousand', <i>pery</i> 'flaid', <i>yra</i> 'type of flower'
<p>Methaiun borrowings <b>into</b> <b>Cadhinor</b> include <i>Agireis</i> 'the sea goddess', <i>evrankhras</i> 'realgar', <i>khamsifa</i> 'sulfur', <i>laitondos</i> 'brass', <i>patheta</i> 'calomine', <i>baita</i> 'barrel', <i>cora</i> 'riverboat', <i>tindigeda</i> 'anchor', <i>theiba</i> 'bow', <i>pinda</i> 'stern', <i>siobostos</i> 'brine', <i>burasos</i>'sponge', <i>dauris</i> 'seagull', <i>akulua</i> 'shark', <i>raikh</i> 'crab', <i>moreia </i>'tuna', <i>nothonis</i> 'salmon', <i>busmitrio</i> 'pearl', <i>citro</i> 'lemon', <i>bidno</i> 'grapevine', <i>vinos</i> 'wine', <i>palaznos</i> 'gorse', <i>setha </i>'silk', <i>vidhora</i> 'type of flower', <i>mapola </i>'poppy', <i>suber</i> 'cork', <i>peida</i> 'type of vine', <i>kariu</i> 'happiness', and dozens of toponyms.
<p>Methaiun borrowings <b>from Cadhinor</b> include <i>adnedu </i>'add', <i>demedu</i> 'subtract', <i>bina </i>'list', <i>lerah'</i> 'understanding', <i>aken </i>'clear',<i> h'iitiru</i> 'sash', <i>aladah'</i> 'grammar', <i>preh'tura</i> 'history', <i>kaadau</i> 'magic', <i>ygunit </i>'knights-and-kings', <i>kraze</i> 'rose', <i>kridu </i>'write', <i>ledu</i> 'compete', <i>lureh' '</i>beautiful', <i>lyh'</i> 'glass', <i>cih'ta</i> 'box'.
<p>Kebreni borrowings <b>into</b> <b>Verdurian</b> include <ul>
<li> financial and accounting terms like <i>andedau</i> 'profit', <i>demedau</i> 'loss', <i>dürí</i> 'credit', <i>pória</i> 'liability', <i>porui</i> 'debit', <i>gëmésha</i> 'mortgage', <i>gocrea</i> 'balance sheet', <i>lagu</i> 'income', <i>zhüngu</i> 'expenditures'; ;
<li> commercial words like <i>susaré</i> 'shop', <i>tuyo</i> 'pipe';
<li> nautical terms like <i>culisa</i> 'fleet', <i>culso</i> 'admiral', <i>nabro</i> 'ship captain', <i>navira</i> 'ship', <i>sefo</i> 'boy';
<li>grammatical terms, mostly loan-translated; e.g. <i>maz'eu</i> 'trustee' is used for 'pronoun' based on V. <i>promevec</i>
<li> general words like <i>bakt</i> 'terrible', <i>lür</i> 'woe', <i>rhulo</i> 'clown', <i>zevu</i> 'pal', <i>vuchemu</i> 'flounder'.</ul>
<p>Kebreni borrowings <b>from Verdurian</b> include <ul>
<li> technological terms like <i>aisel</i> 'key', <i>beh</i> 'essence', <i>cuelu</i> 'calcine', <i>skalea</i> 'gas', <i>impuz'u</i> 'print', <i>uvere </i>'fashion', <i>z'us'ni</i> 'lace', <i>s'eveh'ka</i> 'leggings', <i>leidi</i> 'lens'; <i>otedit</i> 'watch', <i>kethnai</i> 'factory';
<li> cultural terms like <i>bemas'</i> 'cartoon', <i>kona</i> 'money', <i>lic</i> 'trial', <i>meika</i> 'school', <i>raline</i> 'play', <i>tuta</i> 'newspaper';
<li> religious and philosophical words like <i>az'cita</i> 'monastery', <i>nieron</i> 'holy', <i>ripriroda</i> 'philosophy', <i>kuraiyr</i> 'logic', <i>razum</i> 'mind';
<li> general words like <i>pruso</i> 'inn', <i>meclu</i> 'mix', <i>fes'u</i> 'soirée', <i>faus'u</i> 'cram', <i>s'eks'e</i> 'cocoa'.</ul>
<p>There are also many <b>calques</b> (loan-translations) from Cadhinor or Verdurian, such as <i>babate namar</i> for 'galena', from <i>mira plomei</i> 'mother of lead'; or <i>zibis'u</i> for 'entail', from <i>imfayir</i>, both formed from 'in' + 'be necessary'; or <i>miebeu</i> for 'disciple', 'one who leaves in support of (his beliefs)', based on <i>profäsec</i>; or <i>mitecau</i> for 'company', based on <i>cumbutát</i> 'those with a common goal'.
<p>For borrowings into <b>Ismaîn</b> see <a href="ismain.htm#Lexicon">the Ismaîn lexicon</a>.
<table width="100%">
<tr> <td width="17%"><font size=+2><b>A</b></font>
<td width="17%"><td width="66%">
<tr><td>-bu <td>-bo <td><i>n</i> water (in toponyms)
<tr><td>-du <td>-do <td><i>n</i> town (in toponyms)
<tr><td>abaz'e <td>apache <td><i>n</i> knife ['cutter']
<tr><td>adnedau <td><td><i>n</i> addition; profit
<tr><td>adnedu <td><td><i>v</i> add [Cadh. <i>admettan</i>]
<tr><td>Ah'imba <td>Agibna <td><i>n</i> an ancient kingdom centered on the lower Serea; V. <i>Azhimbea</i>. [the name of the Methaiun sea goddess; with augm. <i>-na</i>; cf. Cadh. calque <i>Agireis</i>]
<tr><td>ah'nu <td>asnu<td><i>n</i> donkey, ass
<tr><td>aisel <td><td><i>n</i> key [Verd. <i>ansel</i>]
<tr><td>aken <td>akni <td>a </i>clear, evident [Cadh. <i>iacnis</i>]
<tr><td>akluva <td>akluwa <td><i>n</i> shark
<tr><td>aladah' <td><td><i>n</i> grammar [Cadh. <i>aluatas</i>]
<tr><td>aladu <td><td><i>v</i> spend money
<tr><td>alamatu <td><td><i>v</i> scrounge up cash, get a little money
<tr><td>alath<td>alathi<td><i>n</i> a silver coin [Cadh. <i>alathis</i>]
<tr><td>amma <td>amua <td><i>n</i> hand; <i>num </i>five
<tr><td>anah' <td>anas <td><i>n</i> duck
<tr><td>angen <td><td><i>a</i> eastern
<tr><td>angu <td>angu <td><i>n</i> east
<tr><td>ankuva <td>ankuva <td><i>n</i> sea snake, eel
<tr><td>ansu <td>ams- <td><i>v</i> touch or feel (with the hands) ['hand' + -<i>s</i>-]
<tr><td>as'eve <td><td><i>pron </i>why, what for [volitional form of <i>s'ava</i> 'what': thus 'wanting what?']
<tr><td>athana <td>athana <td><i>n</i> army [collective of 'weapon']
<tr><td>athane <td>athane <td><i>n</i> weapon ['harmer']
<tr><td>Avelah' <td>Awoilas <td><i>n</i> An ancient kingdom opposite Kebri; also its capital, the modern Avéla ['treaty field']
<tr><td>aviza <td>avisa(r) <td><i>n</i> university, academy [Cuêzi <i>avissa:r</i>]
<tr><td>avon <td>awoni <td><i>n</i> agreement, treaty
<tr><td>avunu <td>awun- <td><i>v</i> agree
<tr><td>az'cita <td><td><i>n</i> monastery [Ver. <i>azhcita</i>]
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>B</b></font>
<tr><td>baada <td>baita <td><i>n</i> barrel
<tr><td>baba<td>baba <td><i>n</i> mother
<tr><td>bada<td>bata <td><i>adv</i> then, at that time
<tr><td>badi <td><td><i>n</i> meal
<tr><td>badu <td>bat- <td><i>v</i> eat (polite = <i>seh'epu</i>)
<tr><td>badlecsu <td><td><i>a</i> edible
<tr><td>bakte <td><td><i>a</i> fucking
<tr><td>baku <td><td><i>v</i> fuck
<tr><td>bal <td>bal <td><i>n</i> fox
<tr><td>batronau <td><td><i>n</i> relaxation
<tr><td>batronu <td>batron- <td><i>v</i> relax [ant. of <i>bronu</i> 'tire']
<tr><td>beh <td><td><i>n</i> essence; <i>(alchemy) </i>spirit [Old Verd. <i>beh'</i>]
<tr><td>bemas' <td><td><i>n</i> caricature, cartoon [Verd. <i>bemásh</i>]
<tr><td>bez'arei <td><td><i>n</i> vineyards, wine maker
<tr><td>bez' <td>bej <td><i>n</i> grape
<tr><td>bez'e <td>beje <td><i>n</i> bunch of grapes
<tr><td>biha <td>beikha <td><i>a</i> some, few, any
<tr><td>bihate <td><td><i>pron </i>something, someone, anything, anyone
<tr><td>bigynte <td>beihakumi <td><i>pron </i>how many, how much
<tr><td>biisu <td>bins- <td><i>v</i> list, register, record
<tr><td>bis'u <td>bich- <td><i>v</i> (with sub. verb) must, have to; (alone) be necessary
<tr><td>bina <td>bina <td><i>n</i> list, register, record [Cadh. <i>bineia</i>]
<tr><td>biz'nu <td>bijno<td><i>n</i> grapevine ['grape' + nom.]
<tr><td>bobabeu <td><td><i>n</i> drunkard
<tr><td>bobabu <td><td><i>v</i> wobble, stagger [synaesthetic]
<tr><td>bodu <td>bodo <td><i>n</i> frog
<tr><td>boguida <td>bokunda <td><i>a</i> tomb [from <i>bokud-</i> 'bury']
<tr><td>bogudu <td>bokud- <td><i>v</i> bury
<tr><td>bohru <td>bogr- <td><i>v</i> stink
<tr><td>boh'tu <td>bosto <td><i>n</i> water
<tr><td>boh'tum <td>bostumi <td><i>n</i> iliu ['sea-inhabitant']
<tr><td>boh'tuna <td><td><i>n</i> sea ['great water']
<tr><td>bomiz'iru<td>bostomichiro<td><i>n</i> pearl ['water silver', or perhaps 'iliu silver']
<tr><td>bongryr <td><td><i>a</i> stinking, stinky
<tr><td>bonnezi <td><td><i>n</i> story ['thing-say']
<tr><td>bontur <td><td><i>a</i> wet
<tr><td>bonu <td>bono <td><i>n</i> thing, object
<tr><td>botheneu <td><td><i>n</i> soldier
<tr><td>bothengu <td>bothengo <td><i>n</i> battle
<tr><td>bothynu <td>bothen- <td><i>n</i> fight
<tr><td>broga <td>broca <td><i>n</i> table
<tr><td>broida <td>bronda <td><i>n</i> storm [imitative]
<tr><td>bronu <td>bron<- <td><i>v</i> tire, fatigue; be tired
<tr><td>brun <td>bruni <td><i>n</i> shepherd ['watcher']
<tr><td>bry <td>briu <td><i>n</i> eye
<tr><td>brynu <td>brinu <td><i>v</i> look at, watch; face; <i>loc v </i>facing, in front of, before, about
<tr><td>brynizu <td> <td><i>v</i> describe, talk about [<i>bryunte</i> 'about' + <i>nizu</i> 'speak']
<br><i>bryniunte [nezi]</i> adjective
<tr><td>brysu <td><td>v (slang) </i>eye, keep an eye on
<tr><td>bucuelecsu <td><td><i>a</i> irreducible, unalloyed, essential [cf. <i>cuelu</i>]
<tr><td>bucy <td>bukiu <td><i>a</i> nasty, horrible ['vomitous']
<tr><td>budoh't <td>dokhti <td><i>a</i> wrong, incorrect
<tr><td>bugauryr <td><td><i>a</i> impure, no longer virginal
<tr><td>buk <td>buk <td><i>n</i> vomit
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>C</b></font>
<tr><td>cadeu <td><td><i>n</i> mountain man, hillbilly
<tr><td>cadu <td>kiodo <td><i>n</i> mountain range
<tr><td>cai <td>kiodi <td><i>n</i> mountain
<tr><td>caiz'iru <td>kiodichiro <td><i>n</i> a type of flower ['mountain-white']
<tr><td>ceh'nu <td>kiesn- <td><i>v</i> defend [formation from <i>kies-</i> 'oppose']
<tr><td>ceira <td><td><i>n</i> song
<tr><td>ceirau <td><td><i>n</i> music
<tr><td>celu <td> <td><i>n</i> tea [from Belesaowa <i>chae lu</i> 'tea beverage', <i>chae</i> from Uytain <i>tsai</i>]
<tr><td>ceru <td>kiaur- <td><i>v</i> sing
<tr><td>cezu <td>kies- <td><i>v</i> oppose; <i>loc v </i>be against, despite
<br><i>kurite ceuste </i>despite that; however, but
<tr><td>cih'cu<td>kisk- <td><i>v</i> praise
<tr><td>cih'ta<td>kista <td><i>n</i> small box [Cadh. <i>cista</i> 'box, trunk']
<tr><td>cin <td><td><i>pron </i>I, me (humble) [weakening of <i>h'em</i>?]
<tr><td>ciru <td>kir- <td><i>v </i>stand
<tr><td>cirnu <td><td><i>n </i>platform, deck ['thing for standing on']
<tr><td>citru <td>kitro <td><i>n</i> lemon
<tr><td>ciz'e <td>kiche <td><i>pron </i>how
<tr><td>cuelu <td><td>v (chem.)</i> calcine; reduce to its elements [Verd. <i>chuelan</i>]
<tr><td>cuka <td><td><i>n</i> dot (esp. on clothing); pimple [Verd. <i>chuca</i> 'spot']
<tr><td>cynau <td><td><i>n</i> experience, perception
<tr><td>cynu <td>kin- <td><i>v</i> feel, perceive, experience [from <i>kanu</i> 'see']
<tr><td>cyru <td>kiur- <td><i>v</i> know (person, thing, or fact)
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>D</b></font>
<tr><td>Dabru <td>Davrio <td><i>n</i> the ancient name for Kebri [from Davr]
<tr><td>daga <td>daga <td><i>n</i> north
<tr><td>dah'en <td><td><i>a</i> northern
<tr><td>dam <td>dama <td><i>num</i> three
<tr><td>das'i <td><td><i>n</i> fall, drop
<tr><td>demedau <td><td><i>n</i> subtraction; loss
<tr><td>demedu <td><td><i>v</i> subtract [Cadh. <i>demettan</i>]
<tr><td>debru <td>devr- <td><i>v</i> taste
<tr><td>der <td>dauri <td><i>n</i> seagull
<tr><td>dih' <td>deis <td><i>n</i> snow
<tr><td>dih'das'i <td><td><i>n</i> snowfall
<tr><td>dirau <td><td><i>n</i> work
<tr><td>diru <td>deir- <td><i>v</i> work
<tr><td>Doerun <td>Dobauron <td><i>n</i> founder of Methaiu, the first kingdom of the Plain. [meaning unknown, and suspiciously Cadhinor in form.]
<tr><td>doh't <td>dosti <td><i>a</i> right, correct
<tr><td>dos'u <td>doch- <td><i>v</i> fall, drop
<tr><td>duh'tu <td>dust- <td><i>v</i> fear
<tr><td>dygum <td>dikumi <td><i>num</i> hundred (in Methaiun, 324 = 18 * 18)
<tr><td>dynu <td>diun- <td><i>loc v </i>be up, on top of, over
<tr><td>dynyr <td><td><i>a</i> upper; the best or finest
<tr><td>dyrih'a <td><td><i>n</i> asset, advantage ['what is credited']
<tr><td>dyrh'i <td><td><i>n</i> credit ['up-count']
<tr><td>dyrh'u <td><td><i>v</i> count as a credit, add to the credit ledger
<tr><td>dyvan <td>diuwan <td><i>n</i> top, upper part
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>E</b></font>
<tr><td>eban <td>epwan <td><i>n</i> outside, outer part
<tr><td>ebaneu <td><td><i>n</i> outsider, foreigner
<tr><td>Ebdicai <td><td><i>n</i> a city on Kernoia ['off Snow Mountain']
<tr><td>ebdirau <td><td><i>n</i> holiday
<tr><td>ebdiru <td><td><i>v</i> leave off working, take a holiday ['off work']
<tr><td>ebra <td>evra <td><i>a</i> red
<tr><td>ebrankrah' <td>evrankhras <td><i>n</i> cinnabar ['red mineral', which is the meaning in Meth.]
<tr><td>ebu <td>ep- <td><i>v</i> leave, avoid; <i>loc v </i>be out (of), off, (away) from
<tr><td>eda <td> eta <td><i>n</i> leaf
<tr><td>edar <td><td><i>a</i> leafy
<tr><td>eh'c <td>esk <td><i>conj</i> and
<tr><td>eklura <td>ekhlura <td><i>n</i> perversion, sensual abandon, hedonism [Cuêzi <i>exlûra</i> 'sin'-- a preoccupation of Cuzeians outside their country]
<tr><td>eklurei <td><td><i>n</i> place of sensual pleasures (wine, food, plays, music, nude dancing, gambling, etc.)
<tr><td>Ektezivun <td>Ektesifon <td><i>n</i> Ctésifon, Zhésifo [Cadh.]
<tr><td>eri <td>aurisonda <td><i>n</i> map [Cuêzi]
<tr><td>erizondau <td><td><i>n</i> cartography
<tr><td>Erivilah' <td><td><i>n</i> Ervëa, Cadhinorian emperor [Cadh <i>Aerivileas</i>]
<tr><td>Ernaituh' <td>Erenantos <td><i>n</i> Érenat [Cadh.]
<tr><td>Ernaituh'en <td><td><i>a</i> of Érenat
<tr><td>es'u <td>wech- <td><i>v</i> to not be (negative auxiliary verb; polite form is <i>natu</i>)
<tr><td>etreh'e <td>etrege <td><i>n</i> ink ['blackening tool']
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>F</b></font>
<tr><td>fadora <td>fatora <td><i>n</i> fountain [Cuêzi <i>fato:urrâ</i>]
<tr><td>fah't <td>fasti <td><i>a</i> dry
<tr><td>fal <td>fal <td><i>pron </i>you
<tr><td>falau <td><td><i>pron </i>you (deferential) [<i>fal</i> + nominalizer]
<tr><td>fanu <td>fanu <td><i>v</i> die
<tr><td>faus'u <td><td><i>v</i> cram (for a test) [Ver. <i>fálshuec</i>]
<tr><td>fes'u <td><td><i>n</i> soirée, fancy party [Ver. <i>fësho</i> 'ball']
<tr><td>firu <td>feiro <td><i>n</i> bath<i>firu tasu </i>take a bath
<tr><td>foru <td>foru <td><i>v</i> follow; <i>loc v </i>be behind or in back of
<tr><td>fudu <td>fut- <td><i>v</i> boil
<tr><td>fuga <td>fukai <td><i>a</i> deep
<tr><td>Fugaaz'i <td>Fukai khaichei <td><i>n</i> Fugäzhi lake in Kebri ['deep lake']
<tr><td>fuzu <td>fus- <td><i>v</i> lack, miss; <i>loc v </i>be without
<tr><td>fyn <td>funi <td><i>a</i> no, none
<tr><td>fynte <td><td><i>pron </i>nothing, no one
<tr><td>fyru <td>feuro <td><i>n</i> baths; spa, resort; also a city in Kebri [augmentive of <i>feiro</i>]
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>G</b></font>
<tr><td>ga <td>grau <td><i>conj</i> or
<tr><td>gamu <td>gam- <td><i>v</i> bite
<tr><td>gar <td>gari <td><i>a</i> clean
<tr><td>gauryr <td><td><i>a</i> pure; virginal; <i>n </i>virgin [intensive of 'clean' + adjectivizer]
<tr><td>gegeu <td><td><i>n</i> servant
<tr><td>gegu <td>graug- <td><i>v</i> serve
<br><i>Egenirigi!</i> At your service!
<tr><td>geira <td><td><i>n</i> sound ['(something) heard']
<tr><td>gem <td>grem <td><i>num</i> one; <i>pron </i>this (needs following noun)
<tr><td>gembadi <td><td><i>n</i> breakfast ['first meal']
<tr><td>gemeh' <td>gremekh <td><i>a</i> first
<tr><td>gemes'a <td><td><i>n</i> lien; primacy among heirs or interested parties
<tr><td>gente <td><td><i>pron </i>this one
<tr><td>gensu <td>gremsu <td><i>v</i> be united; be one; be the same, not differ
<tr><td>geru <td>gaur- <td><i>v</i> hear, listen
<tr><td>geth <td>gauth <td><i>n</i> dawn
<tr><td>Gethmene <td>Gauthmene <td><i>n</i> the Ctelm mountains ['hills of dawn']
<tr><td>gezu <td>gauso <td><i>n</i> oil
<tr><td>gonarei <td><td><i>n</i> habitation, settlement, colony
<tr><td>gonu <td>gonu <td><i>v</i> cultivate; settle, inhabit
<tr><td>gorkreha <td><td><i>n</i> weighing; balance sheet ['heavy-test']
<tr><td>gorkrege <td><td><i>n</i> ledger, accounts book [plural of <i>gorkreha</i>]
<tr><td>got <td>godri <td><i>a</i> thick, dense [alteration of <i>gori</i>]
<tr><td>Gudin <td>Gutein <td><i>n</i> the greatest of the kings of ancient Davr (c. -600)
<tr><td>guh <td>gogh <td><i>n</i> fire
<tr><td>gunah' <td>ekunas <td><i>n</i> hero [Cuêzi <i>ecu:nas</i>]
<tr><td>gur <td>gori <td><i>a</i> heavy
<tr><td>gymu <td>gemu <td><i>pron </i>we, us
<tr><td>gyru <td>ger- <td><i>v</i> raise, rise
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>H</b></font>
<tr><td>habut <td>ghabuti <td><i>n</i> bear ['honey-eater']
<tr><td>hada <td>ghata <td><i>n</i> skin
<tr><td>hadar <td>ghatari <td><i>a</i> unlucky
<tr><td>hadargu <td>ghatarigo <td><i>n</i> bad luck
<tr><td>hah'c <td>ghask <td><i>n</i> valley
<tr><td>haiknu <td><td><i>num</i> one fourth, a quarter
<tr><td>hak <td>ghakakh <td><i>num</i> four ['almost (a hand)']
<tr><td>hakraida <td>ghakakh oranda <td><i>num</i> seventeen ['almost the whole (man)']
<tr><td>hakte <td><td><i>adv</i> almost, nearly
<tr><td>hakur <td>ghakakh kuri <td><i>num</i> nine ['almost two (hands)']
<tr><td>hamadu <td><td><i>v</i> strip (clothes, bark, husks, peels); to be bare
<tr><td>hamaida <td><td><i>a</i> stripped, peeled; naked
<tr><td>hamauda <td><td><i>a</i> barren [intensive of <i>hamaida</i>]
<tr><td>hami <td>ghami <td><i>n</i> land
<tr><td>har <td>ghari <td><i>a</i> lucky
<tr><td>hargu <td>gharigo <td><i>n</i> luck
<tr><td>hat <td>ghati <td><i>n</i> honey
<tr><td>Hazigami <td>Ghasikami <td><i>n</i> Azgami ['land of the proud']
<tr><td>hazik <td>ghasik <td><i>a</i> proud
<tr><td>hez' <td>ghauchi <td><i>conj</i> X <i>hez'</i> Y = if X, then Y
<tr><td>hus <td>ghusi <td><i>n</i> doctor ['healer']
<tr><td>hyzu <td>ghis- <td><i>v</i> heal, cure
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>H'</b></font>
<tr><td>h'aaz'i <td>khaichei <td><i>n</i> lake
<tr><td>h'am <td>kham <td><i>n</i> hot springs, baths
<tr><td>h'amavau <td><td><i>n</i> blessing
<tr><td>h'amavu <td><td><i>v</i> bless ['make good']
<tr><td>h'ansiva <td>khamsifa <td><i>n</i> sulfur ['spring-sand']
<tr><td>h'av <td>khawi <td><i>a</i> good
<tr><td>h'avigu <td>khawigo <td><i>n</i> goodness, virtue
<tr><td>H'azum <td>Khaskumi <td><i>n</i> Kebreni name ['valley-man']
<tr><td>h'eda <td>geda <td><i>n</i> stone
<tr><td>h'em <td>gem <td><i>pron</i> I, me
<tr><td>h'erne <td>gerne <td><i>n</i> staircase
<tr><td>h'ernu <td>gerno <td><i>n</i> stair
<tr><td>h'esuda <td><td><i>a</i> stony
<tr><td>h'ih'nu <td>gisn- <td><i>v</i> burn
<tr><td>h'iitiru <td>gintiro <td><i>n</i> sash (esp. as emblem of legitimacy) [Cadh. <i>guintro</i>]
<tr><td>h'ilu <td>kheilu <td><i>v</i> like, be fond of (the archaic meaning is 'desire')
<tr><td>h'ir <td>giri <td><i>a</i> long, longstanding
<tr><td>H'irem <td>Mikhirem <td><i>a</i> the planet Khírumor [Elkarîl <i>Ñokhrem</i>, with the initial syllable reinterpreted as the honorific]
<tr><td>h'irin <td>girein <td><i>n</i> ibis ['longish']
<tr><td>H'iraaz'i <td>Giri khaichei <td><i>n</i> Hiräzhi lake in Kebri ['long lake']
<tr><td>h'ires'a <td><td><i>n</i> street
<tr><td>h'ithane <td>girathane <td><i>n</i> sword ['long weapon']
<tr><td>h'oizu <td>khonj- <td><i>v</i> lose, be lost
<tr><td>h'ulo <td><td><i>n</i> idiot
<tr><td>h'unlor <td><td><i>n</i> idiotic
<tr><td>h'ygu <td>ekheku <td><i>n</i> lentil
<tr><td>h'ymu <td>khem- <td><i>v</i> drink
<tr><td>h'ymvur <td><td><i>a</i> generous ['giving']
<tr><td>h'yr <td>geur <td><i>n</i> castle
<tr><td>h'yvu <td>khuw- <td><i>v</i> give
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>I</b></font>
<tr><td>ibih'te<td><td><i>n</i> bed ['sleeper']
<tr><td>immi <td>inwei <td><i>conj</i> because; the reason why
<tr><td>impuz'eu <td><td><i>n</i> printer, publisher
<tr><td>impuz'u <td><td><i>v</i> print [Verdurian <i>impuyan</i>]
<tr><td>ingarei <td><td><i>n</i> tavern
<tr><td>ingareu <td><td><i>n</i> tavernkeeper
<tr><td>ingu <td>ingo <td><i>n</i> wine
<tr><td>iz'ele <td>ichaule <td><i>n</i> cheese [related to <i>chiul</i> 'milk' either by an obscure derivational process, or by borrowing from another dialect]
<tr><td>iz'icse <td> <td><i>n</i> cushion (used in place of chairs in traditional Kebreni culture) [nominalization of <i>sit</i>]
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>K</b></font>
<tr><td>kaadau <td><td><i>n</i> magic [Cadh. <i>aletes caedel</i> 'high discipline']
<tr><td>kaam <td>kaimi <td><i>n</i> spirit, godling [dim. of <i>kaumi</i> 'god']
<tr><td>kaaru <td>kair- <td><i>v</i> return, come back
<tr><td>kadrigu <td>kadrigo <td><i>n</i> happiness
<br><i>Kum kadrigu</i> A general salutation
<tr><td>kahaba <td><td><i>n</i> coffee [Moreo Ashcai <i>kahawa</i>]
<tr><td>kahabarei <td><td><i>n</i> coffeehouse, café
<tr><td>kal <td>kal <td><i>n</i> bee
<tr><td>kaldu <td>kaledo <td><i>n</i> hive ['bee town']
<tr><td>Kalum <td>Kalumi <td><i>n</i> Kebreni name ['bee-lander']
<tr><td>kam <td>kam <td><i>n</i> oak
<tr><td>kamnu <td>kamno <td><i>n</i> acorn
<tr><td>kanarei <td><td><i>n</i> viewpoint; watchtower ['see-place']
<tr><td>kanau <td>kanadio <td><i>n</i> vision, observation
<tr><td>kangu <td>kango <td><i>n</i> vista, view; a reading (of a book)
<tr><td>kanu <td>kan- <td><i>v</i> see, watch, read
<tr><td>kas <td>kazi <td><i>n</i> wind, breeze
<tr><td>kasum <td><td><i>a</i> oaken; also a Kebreni personal name
<tr><td>kasus <td><td><i>a</i> windy
<tr><td>kat <td>kadri <td><i>a</i> happy
<tr><td>Kathinah' <td>Kathinas <td><i>n</i> Cadhinas; the Cadhinorian empire [Cadh.]
<tr><td>kathynum <td>kathinumi <td><i>n</i> Cadhinorian (person)
<tr><td>kathynyr <td><td><i>a</i> Cadhinorian
<tr><td>kau <td>koadu<td><i>n</i> riverboat ['fast thing']
<tr><td>ke <td>koi<td><i>n</i> fast
<tr><td>kebren <td><td><i>a</i> Kebreni
<br><i>kebren nizgu</i> the Kebreni language
<br><i>kebrente nizu</i> to speak Kebreni
<tr><td>Kebri <td>Kevrei <td><i>n</i> Kebri
<tr><td>Kebropol <td><td><i>n</i> the capital of Kebri ['Kebri metropolis']
<tr><td>keda <td>keta <td><i>n</i> house
<tr><td>kedate <td><td><i>a</i> domestic
<tr><td>kelun<td>kelon <td><i>n</i> bronze [Cuêzi <i>celôn</i>]
<tr><td>kem <td>kaumi <td><i>n</i> god
<tr><td>kemu <td>kaumu <td><i>n</i> the gods; the Divine, God
<tr><td>kemute <td><td><i>a</i> divine
<tr><td>Kemucai<td>Kaumu kiodi <td><i>n</i> the highest mountain on Kebri ['gods mountain']
<tr><td>kente <td><td><i>a</i> holy, sacred
<tr><td>Kernoh'a <td>Kernogha <td><i>n</i> the island of Kernoia west of Kebri, and its main city. (The Verdurian name derives from Cadh. <i>Kernokha</i>, from the Methaiun.) ['green island']
<tr><td>kethnai <td><td><i>n</i> factory [Ver. <i>kedhnáe</i>]
<tr><td>kodu <td>koto <td><i>n</i> snail; Koto island
<tr><td>kima <td><td><i>n</i> madness ['godded', i.e. possession by a god]
<tr><td>kimate <td><td><i>a</i> crazy, mad; (<i>slang</i>) cool
<tr><td>kolsi <td><td><i>n</i> command
<tr><td>Komuh <td>Komugh <td><i>n</i> lake Como in Svetla [prob. 'god-place' in a southern Monkhayic language; cf. <i>kem</i>]
<tr><td>kona <td><td><i>n</i> money [Old Verd. <i>konna</i>]
<tr><td>konarei <td><td><i>n</i> bank ['money place']
<tr><td>krah' <td>khras <td><i>n</i> mineral
<tr><td>kram <td>kuramua <td><i>num</i> ten ['two hands']
<tr><td>kramah' <td><td><i>n</i> mine [back-formation from <i>kramah'u</i>]
<tr><td>kramah'eu <td><td><i>n</i> miner
<tr><td>kramah'u <td><td><i>v</i> mine, seek minerals ['acquire minerals']
<tr><td>kraze <td>krase <td><i>n</i> rose [Cadh.]
<tr><td>kreha <td>khregha <td><i>n</i> test
<tr><td>krih'u <td>kreikh- <td><i>v</i> kill
<tr><td>kriida <td>krinda <td><i>n</i> paper, document [Cuêzi <i>crindas</i>, from <i>crinu</i> 'papyrus, from Meth.]
<tr><td>kriidi <td><td><i>n</i> book [plural of 'paper']
<tr><td>kridnu <td><td><i>n</i> desk ['writing object']
<tr><td>kridu <td>kriv- <td><i>v</i> write [Cadh <i>crivan</i>; but Keb. altered to match <i>kriidi</i>]
<tr><td>krynu <td>krinu <td><i>n</i> papyrus plant
<tr><td>kugumy <td>kukum- <td><i>v</i> fill, throng(out); <i>loc v </i>throughout, everywhere within [reduplication of 'many']
<tr><td>kuirnu <td><td><i>num</i> one half
<br><i>kuirnu suithum</i> a coin worth 1/2 suithum
<br><i>kuirnu (alath)</i> a coin worth 12 alath
<tr><td>kuh' <td>kokh <td><i>pron</i> you (pejorative)
<tr><td>kulisa <td><td><i>n</i> fleet ['what is commanded']
<tr><td>kulseu <td><td><i>n</i> commander of a fleet
<tr><td>kulsy <td><td><i>v</i> command; order
<tr><td>kum <td>kumi <td><i>a</i> many, much
<tr><td>kumaru <td><td><i>v</i> split ['make two']
<tr><td>kumbehsu <td><td><i>a</i> miscellaneous, compound ['made of many essences']
<tr><td>kun <td>kun <td><i>a</i> hawk, falcon (Ver. <i>sokol</i>)
<tr><td>kunnar <td><td><i>adv</i> too much ['much' + augmentative + -<i>yr</i>]
<tr><td>kunte <td><td><i>pron</i> many things or people
<tr><td>kur <td>kuri <td><i>num</i> two
<tr><td>kuraida <td>kurioranda <td><i>num</i> thirty-six ['two eighteens']
<tr><td>kuraiyr <td><td><i>n</i> logic; essay, treatment [Ver. <i>curayora</i>]
<tr><td>kursu <td>kursu <td><i>v</i> differ, not be the same
<tr><td>kuri <td>kuridi <td><i>pron</i> that (must be followed by a noun)
<tr><td>kurite <td><td><i>pron</i> that one
<tr><td>kusi <td>kusi <td><i>a</i> merry, joyful
<tr><td>Kuveza <td>Kuwezea <td><i>n</i> Cuzei [Cuêzi <i>Cuêzaye</i>]
<tr><td>kuvezum <td>kuwezigo <td><i>n</i> Cuzeian [Cuêzi <i>Cuêzigo</i>]
<tr><td>kuvezyr <td><td><i>a</i> Cuzeian
<tr><td>kyr <td>keru <td><i>a</i> green
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>L</b></font>
<tr><td>Laadau <td>Laita <td><i>n</i> city in Kebri
<tr><td>Laadum <td>Laitumi <td><i>n</i> person from Laadau
<tr><td>Laaven <td>Laiwen <td><i>n</i> a town in Kebri (a city in ancient times)
<tr><td>ladu <td>ladu <td><i>n</i> olive
<tr><td>lahau <td><td><i>n</i> arrival, coming
<tr><td>lahgu <td><td><i>n</i> income [concrete nominalization of 'come']
<tr><td>lahu <td>lagh- <td><i>v</i> come
<tr><td>lah' <td>las <td><i>n</i> field
<tr><td>lazum <td>lasghumi <td><i>n</i> farmer
<tr><td>lecu <td>leki- <td><i>v</i> can, is able to, knows how to
<tr><td>ledeu <td><td><i>n</i> rival, competitor
<tr><td>ledu <td>laut- <td><i>v</i> compete with [Cadh. <i>lautan</i>]
<tr><td>leidi <td><td><i>n</i> lens; glasses
<tr><td>leita <td>lenta <td><i>n</i> wood
<tr><td>leisuta <td><td><i>a</i> woody, wooden
<tr><td>lele <td>laule <td><i>a</i> cute (Meth. 'pretty')
<tr><td>Lelec <td>Lauleki <td><i>n</i> Kebreni woman's name ['pretty' + fem.]
<tr><td>lerah' <td>lerias <td><i>n</i> understanding, perception [Cadh. <i>lerias</i>]
<tr><td>lerah'u <td><td><i>v</i> understand, perceive
<tr><td>Lezec <td>Lesieki <td><i>n</i> Kebreni woman's name ['forest' + fem.]
<tr><td>lezu <td>lesio <td><i>n</i> forest
<tr><td>Lezyna <td>Lesiunea <td><i>n</i> an ancient kingdom in the littoral ['big forest']
<tr><td>lic <td><td><i>n</i> lawsuit, trial [Ver. <i>lichy</i>]
<tr><td>lidah' <td>lidas <td><i>n</i> steel [Cuêzi <i>ulidas</i>]
<tr><td>lim <td>limi <td><i>a</i> high
<tr><td>linna <td>limina <td><i>n</i> lord, lady ['high' + augmentative]
<tr><td>linnar <td><td><i>a</i> noble, lordly
<tr><td>lodarei <td><td><i>n</i> stable
<tr><td>lore <td>lorade <td><i>n</i> horse
<tr><td>lorez'ir <td>lorajeiri <td><i>n</i> a mythological horse with wings and eagle's head; later extended to other monsters ['horse-eagle']
<tr><td>lorez'irte <td> <td><td><i>a</i> monstrous
<tr><td>loro <td><td><i>n</i> team of horses
<tr><td>loz'u <td>loj- <td><i>v</i> walk
<tr><td>luda <td>luda <td><i>n</i> olive tree
<tr><td>luva <td>luwa <td><i>n</i> deer
<tr><td>lureh' <td><td><i>a</i> fair, attractive (of things) [Cadh. <i>lures</i> 'beautiful']
<tr><td>luvih' <td><td><i>n</i> fawn
<tr><td>lyh' <td><td><i>n</i> glass, window [Cadh. <i>leus</i>]
<tr><td>lyr <td>liur <td><i>a</i> sad, <i>n</i>sadness
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>M</b></font>
<tr><td>maboda <td>mapota <td><i>n</i> poppy
<tr><td>mabu <td>mabo <td><i>n</i> dog
<tr><td>mah'ec <td>mageki <td><i>n</i> prostitute
<tr><td>mah'i <td><td><i>n</i> sale
<tr><td>mah'u <td>mag- <td><i>v</i> sell
<tr><td>mamu <td>mam- <td><i>v</i> suckle, give suck [interpretation of baby talk]
<tr><td>marau <td><td><i>n</i> probability
<tr><td>mardah' <td>mavardas <td><i>n</i> iron [Cuêzi <i>mavordas</i>]
<tr><td>Mardah'yr <td><td><i>n</i> Kebreni king of 20th century; chased out Cadhinorians ['ironish']
<tr><td>maru <td>mar- <td><i>v</i> be probable, be likely
<tr><td>maz'eu <td><td><i>n</i> trustee, steward; <i>(grammar)</i> pronoun
<tr><td>maz'gu <td><td><i>n</i> trust, responsibility
<tr><td>maz'u <td>mach- <td><i>v</i> trust, count on
<tr><td>meclau <td><td><i>n</i> mixture
<tr><td>meclu <td><td><i>v</i> mix [Verd. <i>meclir</i>]
<tr><td>Megemeh' <td>Megemekh <td><i>n</i> the first man; the mythical founder of the Methaiun people [hon. + 'first']
<tr><td>mehru <td>megr- <td><i>v</i> lean, totter
<br><i>mehurte [nezi]</i> relativizer (Cadh. grammatical term for numbers, conjunctions, locatives)
<tr><td>meika <td><td><i>n</i> school (of artists), genre [Ver. <i>menca</i>]
<tr><td>melah'au <td>melahadio <td><i>n</i> royalty, kingship
<tr><td>melah' <td>melakh <td><i>n</i> king (or queen)
<tr><td>melah'te <td><td><i>a</i> royal
<tr><td>memu <td>meim- <td><i>v</i> nourish, grow [dim. of <i>mamu</i> 'suckle']
<tr><td>melim <td>meilim <td><i>a</i> nourishing; fertile; also Kebri's principal river [from <i>meim-</i>]
<tr><td>men <td>men <td><i>n</i> hill
<tr><td>mengu <td><td><i>v</i> whine
<tr><td>mennyr <td><td><i>n</i> hilly
<tr><td>mera <td>meghra <td>n merha,</i> a slightly bitter herb
<tr><td>Methaahu <td>Methaigho <td><i>n</i> Methaiu, the first kingdom of the Plain. Cadh. <i>Methaiu</i> (V. <i>Metau</i>) probably comes from a southern language which had lost the gh. [Of unknown meaning, except that the <i>me-</i> is an honorific.]
<tr><td>Metheru <td>Methauro <td><i>n</i> Lake Bérunor [honorific + 'gold']
<tr><td>Mez'ena <td>Mechena <td><i>n</i> a personal name (and an ancient king) [hon. + 'honor']
<tr><td>miebeu <td><td><i>n</i> disciple ['leaves in support'; calque on Ver. <i>profäsec</i>]
<tr><td>midam <td>midama amua <td><i>num</i> eight ['hand with three']
<tr><td>midakram <td><font size=2>midama kuramua</font> <td><i>num</i> thirteen ['two hands with three']
<tr><td>migem <td>migrem amua <td><i>num</i> six ['hand with one']
<tr><td>migram <td>mikuri kuramua <td><i>num</i> twelve ['two hands with two']
<tr><td>migur <td>mikuri amua <td><i>num</i> seven ['hand with two']
<tr><td>mimaru <td><td><i>v</i> make rich, become rich [<i>miry + -ma-</i>]
<tr><td>mimu <td>mim- <td><i>v</i> make a deal, find a way out or around an obstacle
<tr><td>Minyne <td>Miniune <td><i>n</i> the first woman, the wife of Megemeh' [hon. + 'maiden']
<tr><td>mipoc <td>mipoc kuramua <td><i>num</i> fourteen ['two hands with a foot']
<tr><td>mipokemai <td><td><i>num</i> fifteen ['fourteen and one']
<tr><td>mipokurai <td><td><i>num</i> sixteen ['fourteen and two']
<tr><td>mirigu <td>mirigo <td><i>n</i> riches, wealth
<tr><td>miry <td>miriu <td><i>a</i> rich, prosperous
<tr><td>mitecau <td><td><i>n</i> company, corporation [calque on Ver. cumbutát]
<tr><td>mitu <td>meit- <td><i>v</i> use; <i>loc v </i>with, using, having
<tr><td>miz'iru <td>michiro <td><i>n</i> silver [hon. + 'white']
<tr><td>miz'iruna <td> <td><i>n</i> platinum ['silver' + augm.]
<tr><td>miz'ynu <td>meijen- <td><i>v</i> bring, take (with) ['go with']
<tr><td>moh'ca <td>moska <td><i>n</i> clam
<tr><td>moitu <td>mont- <td><i>v</i> find, be found
<tr><td><td>Monkhado <td><i>n</i> the Monkhayic people. A southern dialect form <i>Monkharo</i> was borrowed into Cadhinor as <i>Mokhnaru </i>(V. <i>muhnar</i>), and itself became modern <i>Monkhayu</i>.
<tr><td>mora <td>morea <td><i>n</i> tuna
<tr><td>mova <td>mowa <td><i>n</i> hair
<tr><td>mugeu <td><td><i>n</i> young man
<tr><td>muh'u <td>mug- <td><i>v</i> buy [rel. to <i>mah'u</i> 'sell']
<tr><td>muhnu <td>mogno <td><i>n</i> news, tidings ['new thing']
<tr><td>muk <td>mog <td><i>a</i> new, young
<tr><td>Munh'as' <td>Munkhach <td><i>n</i> Munkhâsh [Munkhâshi]
<tr><td>mur <td>mor <td><i>n</i> hour
<tr><td>myga <td>mekua <td><i>num</i> thousand [Cuêzi <i>me:cua</i>]
<tr><td>mygu <td>meuko <td><i>n</i> ox
<tr><td>myra <td>meura <td><i>adv</i> here
<tr><td>mycsu <td><td><i>v</i> lug, haul
<tr><td>myvun <td>meuwuni <td><i>n</i> leader, governor [from 'lead', with honorific]
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>N</b></font>
<tr><td>nabira <td><td><i>n</i> ship ['what is sailed']
<tr><td>nabirateu <td><td><i>n</i> shipbuilder ['ship-maker']
<tr><td>nabreu <td><td><i>n</i> ship captain
<tr><td>nabra <td>navra <td><i>n</i> sail
<tr><td>nabru <td><td><i>v</i> sail
<tr><td>nahra <td>nagra <td><i>n</i> shrine, holy place
<tr><td>nan <td>nani <td><i>n</i> path, way
<tr><td>nana <td><td><i>n</i> route, method(s), procedure [collective of <i>nan</i> 'path']
<br><i>nana miutte </i>somehow or another
<tr><td>nadani <td>natani <td><i>n</i> obstacle [antonym of 'path']
<tr><td>namar <td>namari <td><i>n</i> lead (metal)
<br><i>babate namar</i> galena ['mother of lead'; calque from Ver.]
<tr><td>natu <td><td><i>v</i> negative auxiliary (polite)
<tr><td>nega <td>nauka <td><i>n</i> ancient times
<tr><td>negi <td>nauki <td><i>n</i> pioneer, ancient (person)
<tr><td>neisi <td>nensei <td><i>n</i> council, delegation; ancient meaning 'parley' [from <i>nis-</i>]
<tr><td>neh'at <td>nekhad <td><i>n</i> man, person
<tr><td>neh'ada <td>nekhada <td><i>n</i> people [cf. <i>Monkhayu</i>, which adds the honorific, and suggests that the -e- here is epenthetic]
<tr><td>neh'adate <td><td><i>n</i> popular, people's
<tr><td>neku <td>neko <td><i>n</i> cat
<tr><td>nem <td>naum <td><i>a</i> clear
<tr><td>nemanec <td><td><i>n</i> homosexual ['acquirer of boys']
<tr><td>nen <td>nauni <td><i>n</i> young man [cf. <i>nyne</i>, related by vowel alternation]
<tr><td>nengar <td><td><i>a</i> ancient [from <i>neka</i>]
<tr><td>nenkanyr <td><td><i>a</i> objective ['clear-seeing']
<tr><td>nenyne <td><td><i>a</i> lesbian ['boy-maiden']
<tr><td>nieron <td><td><i>a</i> holy, sainted (in Eledhe contexts). Often spelled <i>nëron</i>, Verdurian style. Before women's names, <i>nierona</i> or <i>nërona</i>. [Verd. <i>nëron</i>]
<tr><td>neva <td>newa <td><i>n</i> middle, center
<tr><td>nevu <td>new- <td>loc</i> <i>v </i>be in the middle of, be among [from <i>neva</i>]
<tr><td>Nevur <td>Newor <td><i>n</i> an ancient country which once occupied the Mishicama littoral; Cadh/V <i>Neuor</i>. ['middlish']
<tr><td>nevurum <td>Neworghumi <td><i>n</i> an inhabitant of Neuor
<tr><td>nezi <td> <td><i>n</i> word; phrase, expression, saying [nom. of <i>nizgu</i> 'speech']
<br><i>e-nezi, i-nezi, a-nezi, ri-nezi, ni-nezi, te-nezi</i> the volitional, benefactive, antibenefactive, polite forms, listener forms, subordinators, in general
<tr><td>nitnu <td>nidno<td><i>n</i> wheel ['roll-thing']
<tr><td>nizarei <td><td><i>n</i> forum
<tr><td>nizgu <td>nisgo <td><i>n</i> speech, language
<tr><td>nizu <td>nis- <td><i>v</i> say, speak
<br>Forms of this verb are also used to name verb forms; e.g. <i>nuzi </i> 'perfective', <i>nyriza</i> 'polite antibenefactive'
<br><i>nuzu</i> the perfective in general
<br><i>Nirize!</i> Thank you (for your words)!
<tr><td>noh'a <td>nogha <td><i>n</i> island
<tr><td>nori <td><td><i>n</i> cleaning, washing
<tr><td>nothon <td>nothoni <td><i>n</i> salmon
<tr><td>nuitu <td>nunto <td><i>n</i> mind, brain
<tr><td>nuitsu <td>nunts- <td><i>v</i> think
<tr><td>nuitukanu <td>nuntokan- <td><i>v</i> imagine ['mind-see']
<tr><td>numygur <td>numikuri <td><i>n</i> hermit; schismatic, usually isolated religious fanatic [Cuêzi <i>numi:curas</i> 'prophet'; this was Meth. meaning too]
<tr><td>nuru <td>nur- <td><i>v</i> wash, clean
<tr><td>nydu <td>nid-<td><i>n</i> roll
<tr><td>nyne<td>niune <td><i>n</i> maiden, girl, young woman; daughter [cf. <i>nen</i>]
<tr><td>nynih' <td><td><i>n</i> young girl; (young) daughter
<tr><td>nyvu <td>nuw-<td><i>n</i> throw, toss; (<i>slang</i>) fire
<tr><td>nyyl <td>neuli <td><i>a</i> slow
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>O</b></font>
<tr><td>onaa <td>onai <td><i>n</i> sister
<tr><td>oradam <td>orandami <td><i>n</i> world; Almea ['all-land']
<tr><td>orat <td>orand <td><i>a</i> entire, whole, all, every
<tr><td>oratte <td><td><i>a</i> everything, everyone
<tr><td>otedit <td><td><i>n</i> pocket watch [Ver. <i>ontedidha</i>]
<tr><td>ozur <td>osuri <td><td><i>n</i> sun
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>P</b></font>
<tr><td>pabadu <td>papat- <td><i>v</i> laugh
<tr><td>pabandyr <td><td><i>a</i> funny
<tr><td>pacsu <td><td><i>n</i> kick
<tr><td>pah'ar <td>pakhar <td><i>adv</i> tomorrow
<tr><td>palaz'nu <td>palajno <td><i>n</i> thorn-bush
<tr><td>Palec <td>Paleki <td><i>n</i> Kebreni woman's name
<tr><td>parsu <td><td><i>v</i> kiss
<tr><td>pansyr <td><td><i>a</i> dear, lovable
<tr><td>pansyru <td><td><i>v</i> love
<tr><td>paru <td>pioro <td><i>n</i> lip
<tr><td>patheda <td>patheta <td><i>n</i> calamine, zinc carbonate, used in making brass
<tr><td>paz'u <td>pach- <td><i>v</i> cut
<tr><td>pema<td>pauma <td><i>conj</i> when, while, during
<tr><td>pery <td>pauriu <td><i>n</i> flaid [Cuêzi]
<tr><td>pida <td>peida <td><i>n</i> a vine whose flowers yield a bitter oil used to flavor beer
<tr><td>pih'tu <td>peist- <td><i>v</i> sleep
<tr><td>piit <td>pindi <td><i>n</i> tail
<tr><td>pinah' <td>poc pinakh <td><i>num</i> eleven ['down to the feet']
<tr><td>poc <td>poki <td><i>n</i> foot
<tr><td>pocsu <td><td><i>v</i> kick
<tr><td>pol <td>poli <td><i>n</i> city, metropolis
<tr><td>ponu <td>pon- <td><i>loc v </i>be below, under, or on the bottom of
<tr><td>ponyr <td><td><i>a</i> lower; the worst or shoddiest
<tr><td>porye <td><td><i>n</i> liability, disadvantage
<tr><td>porh'i <td><td><i>n</i> debit ['down-count']
<tr><td>povan <td>powan <td><i>n</i> bottom, lower part
<tr><td>preh'tura <td>prestura <td><i>n</i> history [Cadh. <i>plestura</i>]
<tr><td>pris <td>preisi <td><i>a</i> healthy, good for you
<tr><td>pruso <td><td><i>n</i> inn, guest-house; resort [Verd. 'inn']
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>R</b></font>
<tr><td>raas <td>raisi <td><i>n</i> pine tree
<tr><td>raah' <td>raikh <td><i>n</i> crab
<tr><td>Raazam <td>Raisami <td><i>n</i> Raizumi, capital of Ismahi ['pine land']
<tr><td>rah'ta <td>riosta <td><i>n</i> a type of flower (with small, blue petals)
<tr><td>raida <td>oranda nekhad <td><i>num</i> eighteen ['entire man']
<tr><td>raigemai <td><td><i>num</i> nineteen ['eighteen and one']
<tr><td>raline <td><td><i>n</i> play, drama [Ver. <i>ralinë</i>]
<tr><td>razum <td><td><i>n</i> mind [Ver.]
<tr><td>rih'i <td><td><i>n</i> a counting or reckoning
<tr><td>rih'gu <td><td><i>n</i> cost, price
<tr><td>ripriroda <td><td><i>n</i> philosophy, science
<tr><td>riz'a <td>rija <td><i>n</i> eel
<tr><td>re <td>ribe <td><i>n</i> day
<tr><td>rema <td>rema <td><i>n</i> bridge
<tr><td>ric <td>reiki <td><i>a</i> cold
<tr><td>rih'u <td>rikh- <td><i>n</i> count, reckon
<br><i>riuh'te [nezi]</i> number, numeral
<tr><td>ris <td>risi <td><i>n</i> pen [Cuêzi]
<tr><td>ruh't <td>arosd <td><i>n</i> river delta [cf. <i>Arosd</i>, ancient name of Eärdur delta]
<tr><td>Ruh'tyr <td><td><i>n</i> Arcaln, Verduria's fortress ['Arosd castle']
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>S</b></font>
<tr><td>sa <td>sio <td><i>n</i> salt
<tr><td>saabau <td><td><i>n</i> justice, jurisdiction
<tr><td>saabeu <td><td><i>n</i> judge
<tr><td>saabi <td><td><i>n</i> judgment, sentence; punishment
<tr><td>saabu <td>saib- <td><i>v</i> judge; <i>(archaic) </i>decide
<tr><td>sabarei <td><td><i>n</i> court; also, name of a town in Kebri ['judgment place']
<tr><td>saboh'tu <td>siobosto <td><i>n</i> brine; (figuratively) the sea ['salt water']
<tr><td>seh'epu <td><td><i>v</i> eat (polite)
<tr><td>seheu <td><td><i>n</i> apprentice sailor ['(rope) climber']
<tr><td>sehu <td>segh- <td><i>v</i> climb
<tr><td>seth <td>sithi <td><i>n</i> jewel
<tr><td>setha <td>setha <td><i>n</i> silk
<tr><td>sisuva <td><td><i>a</i> sandy
<tr><td>siva <td>sifa <td><i>n</i> sand
<tr><td>sivana <td>sifana <td><i>n</i> desert
<tr><td>skalea <td><td><i>n</i> gas [Ver. <i>scaleia</i>]
<tr><td>sobu <td>sop- <td><i>v</i> extend, stretch, reach
<tr><td>soru <td>sor- <td><i>v</i> do, make, become (polite)
<br><i>Sire!</i> Thank you (for your actions)!
<tr><td>sovun <td>sowon <td><i>n</i> night
<tr><td>sudy <td>suti- <td><i>v</i> name, be named
<tr><td>suh <td>sogh <td><i>n</i> priest, monk
<tr><td>suir <td>suber <td><i>n</i> cork (tree or substance)
<tr><td>suitha <td><td><i>n</i> provisions
<tr><td>suithum <td><td><i>n</i> a gold coin ['provider', a king's name]
<tr><td>supnu <td><td><i>n</i> point (of land), cape [nominalization of <i>sobu</i>]
<tr><td>sutharei <td><td><i>n</i> grocery store
<br><i>sutharei tasu </i>go shopping
<tr><td>sutheu <td><td><i>n</i> storekeeper
<tr><td>suthy <td>suth- <td><i>v</i> provide, furnish
<tr><td>sutnu <td>sutno <td><i>n</i> name; noun [nominalization of <i>sudy</i>]
<tr><td>syh'ku <td>siusk- <td><i>v</i> twist, turn
<tr><td>syh'kur <td><td><i>a</i> twisty, crooked
<tr><td>sygu <td>seugo <td><i>n</i> strength
<tr><td>syh <td>seugh <td><i>a</i> strong
<tr><td>syl <td>siul <td><i>a</i> dark
<tr><td>sylgu <td>sylgo <td><i>n</i> shadow
<tr><td>symalu <td><td><i>v</i> darken; bore
<tr><td>symanlur <td><td><i>a</i> boring
<tr><td>syna <td>seuna <td><i>n</i> waterfall
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>S'</b></font>
<tr><td>s'adamu <td>chatiam- <td><i>v</i> retreat; <i>loc v </i>be far (from) ['approach' + ant. infix]
<tr><td>S'ahama <td>Michiaghama <td><i>n</i> the Mishicama ocean ['around the lands']
<tr><td>s'aida <td>chanda <td><i>a</i> beautiful
<tr><td>s'amu <td>chiam- <td><i>v</i> approach; <i>loc v </i>be around, surrounding; be near
<tr><td>s'ansi <td><td><i>n</i> swim
<tr><td>s'anu <td><td><i>loc v </i>to be where (anaphor)
<tr><td>s'ar <td>chior <td><i>a</i> brown
<tr><td>s'ava <td>chawa <td><i>pron</i> who, what
<tr><td>s'e <td>chau <td><i>a</i> small
<tr><td>s'eks'e <td><td><i>n</i> cocoa [Ver. <i>shekshek</i>]
<tr><td>s'en <td>cheni <td><i>a</i> honorable, noble, praiseworthy
<tr><td>s'enen <td><td><i>n</i> boy ['small young-man']
<tr><td>s'emamu <td><td><i>v</i> fish
<tr><td>s'emu <td>chaumo <td><i>n</i> fish
<tr><td>s'ensu <td><td><i>v</i> swim
<tr><td>s'engu <td>chengo <td><i>n</i> honor ['honor']
<tr><td>s'ere <td>chawa ribe <td><i>pron</i> when, at what time
<tr><td>s'ete <td><td><i>pron</i> which, of what quality [<i>s'ava </i>+ -<i>te</i>]
<tr><td>s'eveh'ka <td><td><i>n</i> stockings, leggings [Ver. <i>shevesca</i>]
<tr><td>s'in <td>chini <td><i>n</i> woman
<tr><td>s'iru <td>chiro <td><i>a</i> white
<tr><td>s'ogu <td>choko <td><i>n</i> ridge
<tr><td>s'iste <td><td><i>n</i> guitar [Ismaîn <i>çi<u>s</u>te</i>]
<tr><td>S'ogum <td>Chokumi <td><i>n</i> Kebreni name ['ridgelander']
<tr><td>s'yl <td>chiul <td><i>n</i> milk
<tr><td>s'ylnu <td>ciulno <td><i>n</i> breast ['milk' + -<i>nu</i> nominalizer]
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>T</b></font>
<tr><td>tada <td>tata <td><i>n</i> father
<tr><td>tale <td>talaw <td><i>n</i> orange
<tr><td>Tama <td>(Me)tama <td><i>n</i> the Serea river. In Kebreni also called the <i>Sera</i>. [from <i>tamu</i> 'open': i.e. the wide(-open) river]
<tr><td>tamu <td>tam- <td><i>v</i> open
<tr><td>taradi <td><td><i>n</i> dance
<tr><td>taradu <td>tarat- <td><i>v</i> dance
<tr><td>tasu <td>tans- <td><i>v</i> do, make, become (polite = <i>soru</i>)
<tr><td>tazgu <td> <td><i>n</i> act, action
<br><i>tazugte [nezi] </i> verb
<tr><td>tec <td>teki <td><i>n</i> target, goal
<tr><td>temnu <td>temno <td><i>n</i> door; port, harbor ['opening']
<tr><td>tere <td>taure <td><i>n</i> south
<tr><td>teren <td><td><i>a</i> southern
<tr><td>tiidu <td>tind- <td><i>v</i> stop, stay
<tr><td>tiih'eda <td>tindigeda <td><i>n</i> anchor ['stay-stone']
<tr><td>tiga <td>tika <td><i>n</i> spike, thorn
<tr><td>tiges'a <td> <td><i>n</i> cactus
<tr><td>tiva <td>teiva <td><i>n</i> west
<tr><td>tiven <td><td><i>a</i> western
<tr><td>tomo <td>tomon <td><i>adv</i> there
<tr><td>toru <td>tor- <td><i>v</i> take (into one's possession), acquire
<tr><td>toryvau <td><td><i>n</i> trade, commerce
<tr><td>toryvu <td>torkhuw- <td><i>v</i> trade ['get-give']
<tr><td>treh' <td>tregi <td><i>a</i> black
<tr><td>tres'u <td>trech- <td><i>v</i> break
<tr><td>tres'lecsu <td><td><i>a</i> breakable, fragile
<tr><td>trihnu <td>trigno <td><i>n</i> soot ['black object']
<tr><td>tuh'u <td>tukho <td><i>n</i> fate, destiny
<tr><td>tur <td>turi <td><i>n</i> brother
<tr><td>turgul <td><td><i>n</i> battalion
<tr><td>tuta <td><td><i>n</i> newspaper [Ver. <i>tutanél</i>]
<tr><td>ty <td>tiu <td><i>a</i> round
<tr><td>tyau <td><td><i>n</i> tube, pipe ['round thing']
<tr><td>tynu <td>tinu <td><i>n</i> berry
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>TH</b></font>
<tr><td>thah' <td>thas <td><i>pron</i> he, she, him, her, it
<tr><td>thanih'te <td><td><i>a</i> annoying
<tr><td>thanih'u <td><td><i>v</i> annoy, bother ['harm' + dim.]
<tr><td>thanu <td>than- <td><i>v</i> hurt, harm
<tr><td>thap <td><td><i>n</i> lap, plop [imitative]
<tr><td>thaza <td>thasa <td><i>pron</i> they, them
<tr><td>theleth <td>theleth <td><i>num (rare) </i> 5832 (= 18<font size=2><sup>3</sup></font>)
<tr><td>theru <td>thauro <td><i>n</i> gold
<tr><td>thesuru <td><td><i>a</i> golden, made of gold
<tr><td>thiba <td>theiba <td><i>n</i> head; bow (of ship)
<tr><td>thiron <td>theiron <td><i>n</i> market
<tr><td>thyr <td>theuri <td><i>n</i> octopus
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>U</b></font>
<tr><td>uvere <td>-<td><i>n</i> fashionable outfit; fashion [Ver. <i>uverë</i> 'clothes']
<tr><td>uveira <td>-<td><i>a</i> fashionable, dressy [from <i>uvere</i>]
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>V</b></font>
<tr><td>vaac <td>vaiki <td><i>a</i> blue; <i>n</i> the name of the Vesi river (Cadh. <i>Vaecis</i>)
<tr><td>Vaacaz'i <td>Vaiki khaichei <td><i>n</i> Väcazhi, a lake in Kebri ['blue lake']
<tr><td>vaar <td>waari <td><i>n</i> edge, coast [dim. of 'end']
<tr><td>vaaren <td><td><i>a</i> coastal
<tr><td>vanu <td>wan- <td><i>v</i> lead, rule, govern
<tr><td>vari <td><td><i>n</i> end
<tr><td>varu <td>war- <td><i>v</i> end, finish
<tr><td>varyr <td><td><i>a</i> last, final, ending
<tr><td>vekru <td>vekhr- <td><i>v</i> seem, appear to be; <i>loc v </i>as, like
<tr><td>vep <td>web <td><i>pron</i> he, she, it (deferential)
<tr><td>Verdura <td>Verduria <td><i>n</i> Verduria [Cadh.]
<tr><td>verduren <td><td><i>a</i> Verdurian
<br><i>verduren nizgu </i>the Verdurian language
<tr><td>verdureu <td><td><i>n</i> Verdurian
<tr><td>veru <td>waur- <td><i>v</i> fly [extended form of <i>wur-</i> 'flow']
<tr><td>vethe <td>wethe <td><i>n</i> beard
<tr><td>vez'a <td>waucha <td><i>n</i> bottle
<tr><td>vithoda <td>vithota <td><i>n</i> type of flower
<tr><td>voimatu <td> <td><i>v</i> deceive, fool ['make blind']
<tr><td>voit <td>vondi <td><i>a</i> blind
<tr><td>voiteu <td> <td><i>n</i> blind person
<tr><td>vuh' <td><td><i>pron</i> he, she, it, they (pejorative)
<tr><td>vuh't <td>vosd <td><i>a</i> flat; <i>n </i>plain
<tr><td>vucemu <td><td><i>n</i> flounder ['flat fish']
<tr><td>vunau <td> <td><i>n</i> civilization [from <i>vunu</i>, on the model of Verd. <i>rhusulát</i>]
<tr><td>vunaute <td> <td><i>a</i> civilized
<tr><td>vunu <td>wunu <td><i>n</i> government, leadership [collective of 'leader']
<tr><td>vur <td>wuri <td><i>n</i> river ['flower']
<tr><td>vuru <td>wur- <td><i>v</i> flow
<tr><td>vybu <td>webu <td><i>pron</i> they (deferential)
<tr><td>vyreu <td><td><i>n</i> sailor ['boat man']
<tr><td>vyru <td>wir- <td><i>v</i> float [from <i>wur-</i> 'flow']
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>Y</b></font>
<tr><td>ygunit <td>ekunit <td><i>n</i> game of knights-and-kings [Cadh., from Cuêzi]
<tr><td>yra <td>iura <td><i>n</i> type of flower [Cuêzi <i>yoreta</i>]
<tr><td>yvyre <td><td><i>n</i> boat ['floater']
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>Z</b></font>
<tr><td>zadinu <td>zatein- <td><i>v</i> contain, include, comprise; <i>loc v</i> containing, including [<i>zein-</i> + antonymous infix]
<tr><td>zaru <td>zioru <td><i>v</i> exist; <i>(with effect inflections) </i>is owned
<tr><td>zateugu <td><td><i>n</i> enmity, disloyalty, rebelliousness
<tr><td>zatev <td>zatewi <td><i>a</i> disloyal, rebellious [<i>zev</i> + antonymous infix]
<tr><td>zateveu <td><td><i>n</i> enemy; rebel
<tr><td>zaugu <td><td><i>n</i> glory
<tr><td>zauv <td><td><i>a</i> glorious [augmentative of 'shiny']
<tr><td>zav <td>zavi <td><i>a</i> shiny, bright
<tr><td>zavu <td><td><i>v</i> shine, be bright
<tr><td>zeugu <td><td><i>n</i> loyalty
<tr><td>zev <td>zewi <td><i>a</i> loyal
<tr><td>zevau <td><td><i>n</i> friendship
<tr><td>zevenur <td><td><i>a</i> friendly
<tr><td>zeveu <td><td><i>n</i> friend
<tr><td>zibis'u <td><td><i>n</i> entail ['in' + 'be necessary'; calque on Ver. <i>imfayir</i>]
<tr><td>zikanu <td><td><i>v</i> mean, imply ['say inside']
<tr><td>zinu <td>zein- <td><i>loc v </i>be in, inside, at, on (general locative)
<tr><td>zivan <td>zeiwan <td><i>n</i> inside, inner part
<tr><td><font size=+2><b>Z'</b></font>
<tr><td>z'ada <td>jata <td><i>adv</i> now
<tr><td>z'adana <td><td><i>adv</i> already, yet [augmentive of 'now']
<tr><td>z'aite <td>jante <td><i>n</i> thing; subject
<tr><td>z'aiz'ega <td>jianjeka <td><i>n</i> marriage
<tr><td>z'aiz'igu <td>jianjik- <td><i>v</i> marry
<tr><td>z'aiz'iglecsu <td><td><i>a</i> marriageable, nubile
<tr><td>z'an <td>jian <td><i>n</i> family
<tr><td>z'e <td>je <td><i>adv</i> too, also
<tr><td>z'ega <td>jeka <td><i>n</i> knot; tie, link
<tr><td>z'ehu <td>jegh- <td><i>v</i> ride
<tr><td>z'em <td>jaumi <td><i>a</i> old
<tr><td>z'emeu <td><td><i>n</i> old man
<tr><td>z'eni <td><td><i>n</i> departure
<tr><td>z'igu <td>jik- <td><i>v</i> link, knot, combine
<tr><td>z'ihnu <td> <td><i>n</i> wagon, carriage [from 'ride']
<tr><td>z'iman <td>jiman <td><i>n</i> ground, soil; floor
<tr><td>z'ir <td>jeiri <td><i>n</i> eagle
<tr><td>z'um <td><td><i>pron</i> we, us (humble) [weakening of <i>gymu</i>]
<tr><td>z'us'ni <td><td><i>n</i> lace [Ver. <i>zhusni</i>]
<tr><td>z'ycsu <td>jiks- <td><i>v</i> sit
<tr><td>z'ynau <td><td><i>n</i> departure, going
<tr><td>z'yngu <td><td><i>n</i> expenses, expenditures [concrete nominalization of 'go']
<tr><td>z'ynu <td>jen- <td><i>v</i> go
</table>
<hr>
<i>© 1998 by Mark Rosenfelder</i><br>
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