Ahāmatya: Difference between revisions

'''Ahāmatya''' nouns can be declined into nine cases, three numbers, and four classes.  

'''Ahāmatya''' nouns exhibit a kind of noun class system. Nouns have four classes: '''Class I''' nouns, called "a-theme" nouns; '''Class II''' nouns, called "e-theme" nouns; '''Class III''' nouns, called "u-theme" nouns; '''Class IV''' nouns, called "other" nouns. "a-theme", "e-theme", and "u-theme" are so-named because the vowels "a", "e", and "u" that appear as the final sound in their respective nouns in the singular root. "other" is so-named as a catch-all for words that are not "a-theme", "e-theme", or "u-theme". The phonological environment determines whether a noun is Class I or Class II, and is readily predictable. Class III nouns tend to be derived. Class IV nouns are almost always derived, and feature variable endings.

|}

Number in '''Ahāmatya''' nouns is represented by the noun root existing as a '''singular stem''', a '''comprehensive plural stem''', or a '''partitive plural stem'''. These are appended to by the case marker.  

* '''vrunnuu-''' → '''vrunnū-''' "some robins"

There are nine cases in '''Ahāmatya'''. Many cases are also used as objects of the preposition, most of which are predictable.  

The nominative case indicates the '''subject''' of a transitive and intransitive verb, the '''predicate''' (this is variably marked also by an additional morpheme), and the '''object''' of most prepositions. The nominative case is marked by'''-n''', and has an allomorph in '''-r''', which manifests in the usual way.

* '''et-vamelan''' "in front of the shore"

The accusative₁ case is one of two accusative cases in '''Ahāmatya''', and indicates the '''object''' of an '''imperfective aspect verb''', and the '''object''' of some prepositions. The accusative₁ case is marked similarly to the nominative case, with the exception of lengthening the final vowel before the '''-n''' or '''-r'''.

* ''Ljumruran ''' vrunnūr''' eta''. "The cormorant was speaking to the robin."

The accusative₂ case is one of two accusative cases in '''Ahāmatya''', and indicates the '''object''' of a '''perfect aspect verb''', and the '''object''' of some prepositions. The accusative₂ case is marked by '''-ir'''. This may cause additional vowel sound change in the usual way where applicable.

* ''Ljumruran ''' vrunnuir''' ēta''. "The cormorant had eaten the robin."

The dative case indicates the '''indirect object''' of a verb, and the '''object''' of some prepositions. The dative case is marked by '''-i'''. This may cause additional vowel sound change in the usual way where applicable.

* ''Atalairdan lavraidēn '''ivi''' avra''. "The emperor is giving the ring to the bird."

The genitive case indicates '''ownership''' irrespective of time, '''origin''' of/from a location, '''partitive''', '''topic''' of/about, some '''predicativity''', '''composition''' or '''substance''', and the '''object''' of some prepositions. The genitive case is marked by '''-a'''.

The ablative case indicates '''origins''' that involve motion, an '''originator''' of something given, and the '''object''' of some prepositions. The ablative case is marked by '''-tta'''.

The allative case indicates '''destinations''' that involve motion, '''destinations''' that involve motion, '''direction''' at which an action is directed, and the '''object''' of some prepositions. The allative case is marked by '''-nja''', and has an allomorph in '''-rja''', which manifests in the usual way.

The locative case indicates '''residence''' at a location in space or time. The locative case is marked by '''-ya'''

The vocative case indicates that which is '''directly addressed'''. A noun in the vocative case is the '''citation form''' of the word in a reference. The vocative case is unmarked, or, to be more precise, is marked with '''-∅'''.

Class I, Class II, and Class III nouns have a fairly regular and predictable declination.  

|}

<!-- Here are some example subcategories: