Re: Nouns from Verbs

 --- Rob Haden skrzypszy:

> I was wondering what your methods are for deriving nouns from verbs.
Well, let's answer the question for Askaic for a change. Hattic does basically
the same, BTW.

The simplest form is the mere substantivation of the actual verb. This can be
done by replacing the infinitive ending |-ze| by the ending |-zu|, thus
creating a neuter noun with the meaning "the act of doing something":
|ulana januzau| "the art of loving".

In cases when the meaning of a noun covers the result of an action rather than
the action itself, one of the following ending can be encountered:
|-s^ak|, |-tak|, |-dz^u|. For example:
|aisuze| "to know" > |ais^ak| "knowledge, science"
|gravuze| "to forgive" > |gravtak| "forgiveness"
|ennaivuze| "to introduce" > |ennaivdz^u| "introduction"

When the noun has the meaning of the person who performs the action denoted by
the verb, or causes it to happen, one of the endings |-ak|, |-ek|, or |-ik| is
used. This group includes most professions:
|yrs^uvaze| "to work" > |yrs^uvak| "worker"
|asvareze| "to sell" > |asvarek| "salesman"
|s^lychuze| "to pull" > |s^lychik| "tractor".

Jan

=====
"Originality is the art of concealing your source." - Franklin P. Jones

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