Appendix:World/Diminutives and Augmentatives in Laefevian

It's been a while since my last post here. Anyhow, today's topic is a rather fun one: diminutives and augmentatives, and related. In Laefevian linguistics, these these terms are collectively known as qualitative derivatives or quality-changing derivations. Laefevian has a relatively large array of different distinctions, formed by adding suffixes to the base word. There are five main categories here, with further subcategories formed by combining the five main ones. The main qualitative derivations are:

diminutive: -enj or -inje
augmentative: -uoha
endearing: -kin or -okin
pejorative/derogatory: -ï¿½kï¿½a, -hutta or -utta, -omja
superlative: -(i)ï¿½ngu

Compound derivations include:

diminutive-endearing: -enkin
augmentative-endearing: -uhkin
diminutive-derogatory: -enjï¿½kï¿½a
augmentative-derogatory: -uÇ§ï¿½kï¿½a
endearing-superlative: -(o)kinjï¿½ngu

There is also an extra intensifying suffix which can be added to any of the previous suffixes: -akka (1) Diminutive derivatives The most widespread diminutive suffix is -enj, -inje or -iï¿½nnje, which traces its roots back to Proto-Laenkean *-j(V)Å‹jï¿½s (also a diminutive suffix). The suffix does not, generally, convey any additional emotional connotations but it simply indicates a small size. If possible, the suffix also causes palatalisation of the preceding consonant. Examples:

nar ï¿½bookï¿½ â†’ narenj ï¿½bookletï¿½
rungï¿½lj ï¿½plateï¿½ â†’ rungiï¿½nnje ï¿½small plate, saucerï¿½
niv ï¿½dogï¿½ â†’ nivenj ï¿½puppy, small dogï¿½
hvest ï¿½boyï¿½ â†’ hvessenj ï¿½short boy, small boyï¿½
hrik ï¿½houseï¿½ â†’ hriï¿½enj ï¿½small houseï¿½
ï¿½ilÇ§u ï¿½towerï¿½ â†’ ï¿½ilÇ§Åµenj ï¿½small towerï¿½
hliku ï¿½core, nucleusï¿½ â†’ hlikÅµenj ï¿½small core, kernel, nucleolusï¿½
anso ï¿½islandï¿½ â†’ ansoinje ï¿½small island, isleï¿½
lï¿½a ï¿½cityï¿½ â†’ lï¿½ainje ï¿½small city, small townï¿½

Some words may have fossilised diminutives, which are older:

ue ï¿½riverï¿½ â†’ ynje ï¿½small riverï¿½
ea ï¿½moonï¿½ â†’ izenj ï¿½small moon, moonletï¿½
nea ï¿½starï¿½ â†’ annje ï¿½small star, little starï¿½

The intensifying suffix -akka can be added to these diminutive forms to indicate an even smaller size. These forms may also have endearing connotations.

narenj ï¿½bookletï¿½ â†’ narenjakka ï¿½very small book, tiny book, small bookletï¿½
nivenj ï¿½puppy, small dog, doggyï¿½ â†’ nivenjakka ï¿½little puppy, little doggyï¿½
hriï¿½enj ï¿½small houseï¿½ â†’ hriï¿½enjakka ï¿½very small house, tiny houseï¿½
ansoinje ï¿½small island, isleï¿½ â†’ ansoinjakka ï¿½very small island, isletï¿½

(2) Augmentative derivatives The opposite of the diminutive is the augmentative, which indicates a great size. The suffix is -uoha (variants -voha or -oha), which can be traced back to Proto-Laenkean -(V)kÊ°os (used to forms words indicating burden or authority). Like with the diminutive, there is generally no emotional connotations attached to this suffix. Examples:

nar ï¿½bookï¿½ â†’ naruoha ï¿½big book, tomeï¿½
niv ï¿½dogï¿½ â†’ nivvoha ï¿½large dog, big dogï¿½
hvest ï¿½boyï¿½ â†’ hvestuoha ï¿½tall boy, big boyï¿½
hrik ï¿½houseï¿½ â†’ hrikuoha ï¿½big house, large house, mansionï¿½
ï¿½ilÇ§u ï¿½towerï¿½ â†’ ï¿½ilÇ§uoha ï¿½tall tower, big towerï¿½
anso ï¿½islandï¿½ â†’ ansovoha, ansoha ï¿½big island, large islandï¿½
lï¿½a ï¿½cityï¿½ â†’ lï¿½avoha ï¿½large city, metropolisï¿½
nolda ï¿½dayï¿½ â†’ nolduoha ï¿½great day, important dayï¿½

The intensifying suffix -akka can be added to these augmentative forms to indicate an even greater size. These forms may also carry some kind of a positive connotation.

naruoha ï¿½big book, tomeï¿½ â†’ naruohakka ï¿½very big book, very big tomeï¿½
nivvoha ï¿½large dog, big dogï¿½ â†’ nivvohakka ï¿½very large dog, very big dog, a very big and nice dogï¿½
hrikuoha ï¿½big house, large houseï¿½ â†’ hrikuohakka ï¿½very large house, very big house, large mansion, a very big and nice houseï¿½
ansovoha ï¿½big island, large islandï¿½ â†’ ansohakka ï¿½very big island, very large islandï¿½

Of course, with the right intonation, these intensified augmentatives can carry a negative connotation. (3) Endearing derivatives This suffix is used to add some positive connotations to the base word, such as love, affection or courtesy. The suffix is -kin or -okin. It is an extremely commonly used suffix to derive terms of endearment. It is very common in colloquial language. The origin of the suffix is somewhat unclear but it is generally believed to be a compound suffix of Proto-Laenkean *-VKVs (indicates parts at the top or edge of something) and *-VnVs (a noun-deriving suffix). The suffix may carry diminutive connotations, especially when used with terms of endearment referring to children. Examples:

nar ï¿½bookï¿½ â†’ narkin ï¿½precious bookï¿½
niv ï¿½dogï¿½ â†’ nivkin ï¿½doggy, puppy, boy/girl (referring to a pet dog)ï¿½
hvest ï¿½boyï¿½ â†’ hveskin ï¿½little boy (family), boyfriend (romantic)ï¿½
hrik ï¿½houseï¿½ â†’ hrikkin, hrikokin ï¿½childhood house, childhood homeï¿½
anso ï¿½islandï¿½ â†’ ansokin ï¿½beautiful island, an island one is fond ofï¿½
lï¿½a ï¿½cityï¿½ â†’ lï¿½akin ï¿½hometownï¿½
jurwe ï¿½loveï¿½ â†’ jurwekin, jurwokin ï¿½darling, love (person)ï¿½
ussï¿½lt ï¿½treasureï¿½ â†’ ussï¿½lkin ï¿½honey, darling, treasure (person)ï¿½
vant ï¿½fatherï¿½ â†’ vanskin, vankin, vantokin ï¿½dad, daddyï¿½
letta ï¿½motherï¿½ â†’ leskin, lettakin, lettokin ï¿½mum, mummyï¿½

The endearing suffix is also frequently used with personal names:

Lesond ï¿½Snoweagle*ï¿½ â†’ Lesonkin
Leskullent ï¿½Snowforest*ï¿½ â†’ Leskullenkin, Leskulkin, Leskunkin
Leihmï¿½s ï¿½Snowhoney*ï¿½ â†’ Leihmï¿½skin
Kwargond ï¿½Raveneagle*ï¿½ â†’ Kwargonkin
Valmesolt ï¿½Stormthought*ï¿½ â†’ Valmesolkin, Valmeskin, Valmelkin

* These are just literal translations of the Laefevian names. The intensifying suffix -akka can be added to this suffix as well, resulting in -kinakka or just -kinka, with the latter being very common in baby talk (where it also comes with a diminutive connotation):

nivkin ï¿½doggy, puppy, boy/girl (referring to a pet dog)ï¿½ â†’ nivkinakka, nivkinka ï¿½little puppyï¿½
hveskin ï¿½little boy (family), boyfriend (romantic)ï¿½ â†’ hveskinakka, hveskinka ï¿½darling boy (family), boyfriend (romantic)ï¿½
jurwekin, jurwokin ï¿½darling, love (person)ï¿½ â†’ jurwekinakka, jurwekinka, jurwokinakka, jurwokinka ï¿½darling love (person)ï¿½

When applying the endearing suffix, especially when combined with the intensifying one, the resulting term is also typically prefixed with a possessive prefix, especially personal names:

lï¿½a ï¿½cityï¿½ â†’ lï¿½akin ï¿½hometownï¿½ â†’ ollï¿½akin ï¿½my hometownï¿½
jurwe ï¿½loveï¿½ â†’ jurwekin, jurwokin ï¿½darling, love (person)ï¿½ â†’ ojjurwekin, ojjurwokin ï¿½my darling, my love (person)ï¿½
niv ï¿½dogï¿½ â†’ nivkin ï¿½doggy, puppy, boy/girl (referring to a pet dog)ï¿½ â†’ nivkinakka, nivkinka ï¿½little puppyï¿½ â†’ onnivkinakka, onnivkinka ï¿½my little puppy my little boy/girl (referring to a pet dog)ï¿½
Lesond ï¿½Snoweagleï¿½ â†’ Lesonkin â†’ olLesonkin* ï¿½my dear Snoweagleï¿½ â†’ olLesonkinakka* ï¿½my dearest Snoweagle, my dear little Snoweagleï¿½
Kwargond ï¿½Raveneagleï¿½ â†’ Kwargonkin â†’ okKwargonkin* ï¿½my dear Raveneagleï¿½ â†’ okKwargonkinakka* ï¿½my dearest Raveneagle, my dear little Raveneagleï¿½

* Possessive prefixes do not become capitalised when added to names. These are also equivalent to English expressions such as ï¿½love, my darlingï¿½ or ï¿½honey, my darlingï¿½ or ï¿½[NAME], my darling/dearï¿½ and so on. (4) Superlative derivatives The superlative suffix -(i)ï¿½ngu is used to indicate the (absolute) veracity, verisimilitude, realness, the highest or best quality, or the highest or greatest importance of the base word. These words are often used in some kind of contrastive context where one entity, which is considered to be more real or of better quality, is compared to another entity, which is then considered to be of lesser quality or importance. Etymologically, the suffix is just a nominalised version of the adjectival absolute superlative suffix -ï¿½ngwis. Examples:

nar ï¿½bookï¿½ â†’ nariï¿½ngu ï¿½real book, actual bookï¿½
niv ï¿½dogï¿½ â†’ niviï¿½ngu ï¿½real dog, actual dogï¿½
hvest ï¿½boyï¿½ â†’ hvestiï¿½ngu ï¿½real boyï¿½
hrik ï¿½houseï¿½ â†’ hrikiï¿½ngu ï¿½actual house, true houseï¿½
nem ï¿½milkï¿½ â†’ nemiï¿½ngu ï¿½real milk, actual milk, true milkï¿½
hant ï¿½manï¿½ â†’ hantiï¿½ngu ï¿½real man, true man, man of his wordï¿½
arjoï¿½ ï¿½friendï¿½ â†’ arjoï¿½iï¿½ngu ï¿½real friend, true friend, best friendï¿½
hynjoï¿½ ï¿½seatï¿½ â†’ hynjoï¿½iï¿½ngu ï¿½front row seatï¿½
venkwe ï¿½newsï¿½ â†’ venkÅµï¿½ngu ï¿½most important news, news of the day, breaking newsï¿½
nolda ï¿½dayï¿½ â†’ noldiï¿½ngu ï¿½best day, most important day, greatest dayï¿½
rint ï¿½lifeï¿½ â†’ rintiï¿½ngu ï¿½real lifeï¿½
zov ï¿½meatï¿½ â†’ zoviï¿½ngu ï¿½real meat, natural meatï¿½

The intensifying suffix -akka can be used in combination with this suffix as well, resulting in -(i)ï¿½ngakka, but the derived word typically gain humorous, cynical, sarcastic or even derogatory connotations:

niviï¿½ngu ï¿½real dog, actual dogï¿½ â†’ niviï¿½ngakka
hvestiï¿½ngu ï¿½real boyï¿½ â†’ hvestiï¿½ngakka
hantiï¿½ngu ï¿½real man, true man, man of his wordï¿½ â†’ hantiï¿½ngakka
hynjoï¿½iï¿½ngu ï¿½front row seatï¿½ â†’ hynjoï¿½iï¿½ngakka

The superlative suffix can also contrast with the prefix erhw- ï¿½main-, arch-, head-ï¿½, for example, erhuvenkwe, lit. ï¿½main news, arch-news, top newsï¿½, would be used in a newspaper to refer to the most important news in the publication (it also cannot be changed any more), while venkÅµï¿½ngu would be used on TV when talking about the currently most important piece of news. (5) Pejorative and derogatory derivatives The opposite of the endearing derivatives are, of course, pejorative and derogatory derivatives. As these are very similar in meaning, I'm combining them together. There are now several different suffixes, which differ slightly from each other in meaning and formation. (5.1) The pejorative suffix -ï¿½kï¿½a This is the typical and most widely used pejorative suffix in Laefevian, its main form is -ï¿½kï¿½a, with two variants, -iï¿½kï¿½a and -vï¿½kï¿½a. It can be appended to pretty much any noun to convey some kind of lesser quality of the base word, often ugliness or inability, badness, evilness, or malice. The origins of the suffix are unclear but it is generally agreed that it is a compound suffix with the -ï¿½k- part being cognate with the augmentative suffix. Examples:

nar ï¿½bookï¿½ â†’ narï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½bad, terrible or lousy book (in terms of its content), ugly book (appearance)ï¿½
niv ï¿½dogï¿½ â†’ nivï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½ugly dog, ugly and fierce dogï¿½
hvest ï¿½boyï¿½ â†’ hvestï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½ugly boyï¿½
launja ï¿½singerï¿½ â†’ launjiï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½bad singer, lousy singerï¿½
hrik ï¿½houseï¿½ â†’ hrikï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½ugly houseï¿½
nolda ï¿½dayï¿½ â†’ noldiï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½bad day, terrible day, lousy day, long day, rough dayï¿½
ï¿½rme ï¿½weatherï¿½ â†’ ï¿½rmiï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½bad weather, rainy weather, lousy weatherï¿½
lï¿½a ï¿½cityï¿½ â†’ lï¿½avï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½ugly cityï¿½
vï¿½ï¿½ ï¿½womanï¿½ â†’ vï¿½ï¿½ï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½hag, ugly woman, bad woman, evil woman, vixenï¿½
hant ï¿½manï¿½ â†’ hantï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½ugly man, bad man, evil manï¿½
venkwe ï¿½newsï¿½ â†’ venkÅµï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½bad newsï¿½

As previously, the intensifying suffix -akka can be added:

nivï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½ugly dog, ugly and fierce dogï¿½ â†’ nivï¿½kï¿½akka ï¿½very ugly dog, butt-ugly dog, ugly-ass dogï¿½
hvestï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½ugly boyï¿½ â†’ hvestï¿½kï¿½akka ï¿½very ugly boy, butt-ugly boyï¿½
hrikï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½ugly houseï¿½ â†’ hrikï¿½kï¿½akka ï¿½very ugly houseï¿½
noldiï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½bad day, terrible dayï¿½ â†’ noldiï¿½kï¿½akka ï¿½absolutely terrible day, very lousy dayï¿½
ï¿½rmiï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½bad weather, rainy weatherï¿½ â†’ ï¿½rmiï¿½kï¿½akka ï¿½absolutely bad weather, very lousy weatherï¿½
vï¿½ï¿½ï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½ugly woman, bad woman, evil womanï¿½ â†’ vï¿½ï¿½ï¿½kï¿½akka ï¿½ugly hag, cunt, very ugly woman, very bad womanï¿½
hantï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½ugly man, bad man, evil manï¿½ â†’ hantï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½very ugly man, hideous man, very bad manï¿½
venkÅµï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½bad newsï¿½ â†’ venkÅµï¿½kï¿½akka ï¿½absolutely terrible newsï¿½

(5.2) The derogatory suffix -(h)utta This is generally considered a derogatory suffix and it is used to refer to people only. It is similar to the pejorative suffix but the suffix -(h)utta conveys more of a moral judgement on the part of the speaker, carrying connotations of immorality, insincerity, disingenuousness, reproach, disgrace, shame, scorn, etc. In some cases, the meaning can be very close to the meaning of the words formed with the pejorative suffix. The suffix originates from the ending -(h)ut used in terms referring to the step-family members (e.g. vanhut ï¿½stepfatherï¿½, lehhut ï¿½stepmotherï¿½, ï¿½ï¿½skut ï¿½stepbrotherï¿½, etc.). Examples:

hvest ï¿½boyï¿½ â†’ hvestutta ï¿½bastard, son of a bitchï¿½
vï¿½ï¿½ ï¿½womanï¿½ â†’ vï¿½ï¿½utta ï¿½bitch, cunt, slut, whoreï¿½
hant ï¿½manï¿½ â†’ hantutta ï¿½bastard, son of a bitch, mongrelï¿½
ruont ï¿½farmerï¿½ â†’ ruontutta ï¿½peasant, redneck, hillbillyï¿½
launja ï¿½singerï¿½ â†’ launjautta ï¿½fake singer, bad singer, lousy singerï¿½
ï¿½ï¿½wiltja ï¿½artistï¿½ â†’ ï¿½ï¿½wiltjautta ï¿½fake artist, pretend artistï¿½
vaï¿½ja ï¿½right-wingerï¿½ â†’ vaï¿½jautta ï¿½rightoidï¿½
jankja ï¿½left-wingerï¿½ â†’ jankjautta ï¿½leftoidï¿½
ï¿½mmaesavja ï¿½communistï¿½ â†’ ï¿½mmaesavjautta, ï¿½mmahutta ï¿½commieï¿½
dulsieï¿½ja ï¿½police officerï¿½ â†’ dulsieï¿½jautta, dulsihutta, dulsutta ï¿½pig, filth, oinkerï¿½

This suffix can also be used with personal names:

Lesond â†’ Lesondutta, Lesohutta
Leskullent â†’ Leskullentutta, Leskuhutta
Leihmï¿½s â†’ Leihmï¿½sutta
Kwargond â†’ Kwargondutta, Kwargohutta
Valmesolt â†’ Valmesoltutta, Valmehutta

It is possible to use the intensifying suffix -akka with this suffix as well, resulting in -(h)uttakka:

hvest ï¿½boyï¿½ â†’ hvestutta ï¿½bastard, son of a bitchï¿½ â†’ hvestuttakka ï¿½fucking bastard, fucking son of a bitchï¿½
vï¿½ï¿½ ï¿½womanï¿½ â†’ vï¿½ï¿½utta ï¿½bitch, cunt, slut, whoreï¿½ â†’ vï¿½ï¿½uttakka ï¿½fucking bitch, etc.ï¿½
hant ï¿½manï¿½ â†’ hantutta ï¿½bastard, son of a bitch, mongrelï¿½ â†’ hantuttakka ï¿½fucking bastard, fucking mongrelï¿½
Lesond â†’ Lesondutta, Lesohutta â†’ Lesonduttakka, Lesohuttakka ï¿½fucking Lesondï¿½
Kwargond â†’ Kwargondutta, Kwargohutta â†’ Kwargonduttakka, Kwargohuttakka ï¿½fucking Kwargondï¿½

When added to personal names (both -(h)utta or -(h)uttakka) is can also correspond to English structures like, ï¿½[NAME], you bastard/son of a bitch/etc.ï¿½ or ï¿½[NAME], you bitch/cunt/etc.ï¿½, and so on. (5.3) The derogatory suffix -omja The derogatory suffix -omja is also generally used to refer to people, but it can include pets and other animals one might feel strongly about. This suffix can be added to adjectives only, and it is used to create derogatory terms highlighting the characteristic of the base word. It is a compound suffix, originating from the deadjectival stative verb suffix -umad (i.e. ï¿½to be [ADJECTIVE]ï¿½) and the general agent suffix -ja ï¿½-erï¿½. Examples:

hmat ï¿½fatï¿½ â†’ hmatomja ï¿½fatty, fatso, fat-assï¿½
suldis ï¿½uglyï¿½ â†’ suldomja ï¿½uggoï¿½
ï¿½urris ï¿½emptyï¿½ â†’ ï¿½urromja ï¿½airheadï¿½
hnagis ï¿½lazyï¿½ â†’ hnagomja ï¿½layabout, lazy bum, slackerï¿½
ï¿½ytis ï¿½slowï¿½ â†’ ï¿½ytomja ï¿½idiot, slow-assï¿½
tï¿½isus ï¿½dumb, stupidï¿½ â†’ tï¿½iskomja ï¿½idiot, dumbassï¿½
hlot ï¿½richï¿½ â†’ hlotomja ï¿½the rich (derogatory), the wealthiesï¿½
fï¿½mpis ï¿½poorï¿½ â†’ fï¿½mpomja ï¿½beggar, hobo, the poor (derogatory)ï¿½
narkis ï¿½dirtyï¿½ â†’ narkomja ï¿½filthy person, dirty personï¿½
taltis ï¿½halfï¿½ â†’ taltomja ï¿½half-asser, someone who half-asses thingsï¿½
ï¿½rwelgis ï¿½modest, humbleï¿½ â†’ ï¿½rwelgomja ï¿½excessively modest/humble personï¿½

-akka can be added to these terms as well:

hmatomja ï¿½fatty, fatso, fat-assï¿½ â†’ hmatomjakka
suldomja ï¿½uggoï¿½ â†’ suldomjakka
ï¿½urromja ï¿½airheadï¿½ â†’ ï¿½urromjakka
hnagomja ï¿½layabout, lazy bum, slackerï¿½ â†’ hnagomjakka

(Translate these however you want.) (6) Compound derivatives Some of the main these quality-changing suffixes can be combined into news suffixes, which now convey both parts of the constituent elements. While the colloquial language allows for great variety of possible combinations, there are five combinations that are officially recognised. All the forms described below can also be extended by adding the intensifying suffix -akka but it is not used as frequently as it is with the base derivatives described above. (6.1) The diminutive-endearing suffix -enkin This suffix is a combination of the diminutive suffix -enj (or -inje) and the endearing suffix -kin, resulting in -enkin, -inkin or -iï¿½nkin, depending on the original diminutive suffix. A diminutive-endearing derivative conveys that the base word is both small in size and is also adorable, lovable, likeable, cute, pretty, etc. It is commonly used with terms denoting people, especially family members, and pets, but it is not restricted to these terms only and it can be freely used with any word. Examples:

nar ï¿½bookï¿½ â†’ narenj ï¿½bookletï¿½ â†’ narenkin ï¿½cute little bookletï¿½
niv ï¿½dogï¿½ â†’ nivenj ï¿½puppy, small dogï¿½ â†’ nivenkin ï¿½cute little puppy, adorable little doggyï¿½
hvest ï¿½boyï¿½ â†’ hvessenj ï¿½short boy, small boyï¿½ â†’ hvessenkin ï¿½adorable little boyï¿½
hrik ï¿½houseï¿½ â†’ hriï¿½enj ï¿½small houseï¿½ â†’ hriï¿½enkin ï¿½pretty little houseï¿½
elme ï¿½villageï¿½ â†’ elminje ï¿½small village, little villageï¿½ â†’ elminkin ï¿½cute little village, quaint little villageï¿½

(6.2) The augmentative-endearing suffix -uhkin A combination of the augmentative suffix -uoha (or -voha) and the endearing suffix -kin, resulting in -uhkin or -ohka. Like the diminutive-endearing derivatives, an augmentative-endearing derivative conveys that the base word is both great in size and is also adorable, lovable, likeable, beautiful, etc. It is used equally frequently with both human and non-human terms. Examples:

niv ï¿½dogï¿½ â†’ nivvoha ï¿½large dog, big dogï¿½ â†’ nivvohkin ï¿½big and adorable doggoï¿½
hvest ï¿½boyï¿½ â†’ hvestuoha ï¿½tall boy, big boyï¿½ â†’ hvestukin ï¿½tall and handsome boyï¿½
hrik ï¿½houseï¿½ â†’ hrikuoha ï¿½big house, large house, mansionï¿½ â†’ hrikuhka ï¿½big and pretty houseï¿½
lï¿½a ï¿½cityï¿½ â†’ lï¿½avoha ï¿½large city, metropolisï¿½ â†’ lï¿½avohkin ï¿½big and nice cityï¿½

(6.3) The diminutive-derogatory suffix -enjï¿½kï¿½a A combination of the diminutive suffix -enj (or -inje) and the pejorative suffix -ï¿½kï¿½a, resulting in -enjï¿½kï¿½a, -injï¿½kï¿½a or -iï¿½nnjï¿½kï¿½a, depending on the form of the original diminutive. The combination of these two suffixes conveys a sense of belittlement, mockery, disparagement, ridicule, scorn, unworthiness, etc. It is commonly used with terms denoting people, especially professions, but it can also be used with any other word. Example:

hleiÇ§wirhï¿½lj ï¿½politicianï¿½ â†’ hleiÇ§wirhiï¿½nnjï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½politician (belittling), low-reputation politician, worthless politicianï¿½
arjoï¿½ ï¿½friendï¿½ â†’ arjotlenjï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½little friend (belittling), worthless little friendï¿½
dulsieï¿½ja ï¿½police officerï¿½ â†’ dulsieï¿½jainjï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½silly little policeman, incapable police officerï¿½
hant ï¿½manï¿½ â†’ hansenjï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½sad little manï¿½
lï¿½a ï¿½cityï¿½ â†’ lï¿½ainjï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½small little crime-riddled townï¿½

(6.4) The augmentative-derogatory suffix -uÇ§ï¿½kï¿½a This suffix is a combination of the augmentative suffix -uoha (or -voha) and the pejorative suffix -ï¿½kï¿½a, resulting in -uÇ§ï¿½kï¿½a or -oÇ§ï¿½kï¿½a, depending on the stem of the base word. It is used to refer to entities of great size (or importance) but with a sense of mockery, ridicule, scorn, pretence, fakery, etc. added to it. It may also convey pity, however. It is more commonly used with non-human terms but can be freely used with human terms as well. With human terms, however, the notion of a large physical size may be secondary or not present at all. Examples:

niv ï¿½dogï¿½ â†’ nivvoha ï¿½big dog, large dogï¿½ â†’ nivvoÇ§ï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½big and abandoned dogï¿½
tent ï¿½bedï¿½ â†’ tentuoha ï¿½big bed, large bedï¿½ â†’ tentuÇ§ï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½big and uncomfortable bedï¿½
hrik ï¿½houseï¿½ â†’ hrikuoha ï¿½big house, large house, mansionï¿½ â†’ hrikuÇ§ï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½big and dilapidated houseï¿½
elme ï¿½villageï¿½ â†’ elmuoha ï¿½large villageï¿½ â†’ elmuÇ§ï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½large and (partly-)abandoned villageï¿½
hlurï¿½ ï¿½castleï¿½ â†’ hlurï¿½uoha ï¿½big castle, large castleï¿½ â†’ hlurï¿½uÇ§ï¿½kï¿½aï¿½ ï¿½large and ill-maintained castleï¿½
hant ï¿½manï¿½ â†’ hantuoha ï¿½big man, large man, tall manï¿½ â†’ hantuÇ§ï¿½kï¿½a ï¿½big and unkempt man, (tall) man that doesn't take care of himselfï¿½

(6.5) The endearing-superlative suffix -kinjï¿½ngu As the name suggests, this suffix is a combination of the endearing suffix -kin (or -okin) and the superlative suffix -iï¿½ngu, resulting in -kinjï¿½ngu or -okinjï¿½ngu, depending on the form of the original stem. These terms now convey the same as the base endearing words but with a sense of superiority, uniqueness or the greatest importance added to it. These are especially common with term referring to friends, romantic partners and pets, but can also be used with any other word. Examples:

niv ï¿½dogï¿½ â†’ nivkinjï¿½ngu ï¿½the best doggo, the best boy, the best girlï¿½
hvest ï¿½boyï¿½ â†’ hveskinjï¿½ngu ï¿½the best boy(friend) (affectionate)ï¿½
arjoï¿½ ï¿½friendï¿½ â†’ arjoskinjï¿½ngu ï¿½dear best friend, most important friend (affectionate)ï¿½
jurwe ï¿½loveï¿½ â†’ jurwokinjï¿½ngu ï¿½greatest love (of one's life)ï¿½

As with the regular endearing suffix, this one is often typically accompanied by a possessive prefix:

nivkinjï¿½ngu â†’ onnivkinjï¿½ngu ï¿½my best doggo, my best boy, my best girlï¿½
arjoskinjï¿½ngu â†’ orjoskinjï¿½ngu ï¿½my most important dear friendï¿½
jurwokinjï¿½ngu â†’ jajjurwokinjï¿½ngu ï¿½the greatest love of his life, his greatest loveï¿½

Appendix:World/Diminutives and Augmentatives in Laefevian

Navigation menu

Search