Radestrian

Etymology

From Middle Radestrian gjo, from Old Radestrian ɣo, inherited from Proto-Radic *ɣo, from Proto-Hirdic *gho, from Proto-Laenkean *g(ʱ)e/o(j?)-. The fronting of the vowel in Modern Radestrian is somewhat unexplained, but it is generally thought to have developed through a medial **gjə. Compare also the dialectal gju. Cognate with Lusetian -u.

Pronunciation

Conjunction

gjø

  1. if, whether, introduces the question of a proposition's truth value [with indicative]
    Hjei sjelta, gjøș kad devúl.
    I don’t know if he’s done it.
  2. even if [with subjunctive]
    Stratuos, gjøs rapavú.
    We will fight, even if we die.
  3. or, introduces a choice
    Gjøn hovend vánu, gjøn bist?
    Do you want a cake or what?
    Hjei sjelta, gjøș dzard sjínúl, gjøș drávist.
    I don’t know if she’s written a song or a book.

Usage notes

  • This conjunction adopts all personal agreement from the clause verb, leaving the verb in its depersonal form.
    • The depersonal form of vat in the indicative non-past is ∅, unless emphatic.

Particle

gjø

  1. question-forming particle
    Bist gjøn devúl?
    What have you done?
    Gjøș a hovend devúl lirșu skanþs?
    Has your husband made the cake?

Usage notes

  • This particle adopts all personal agreement from the clause verb, leaving the verb in its depersonal form.
    • The depersonal form of vat in the indicative non-past is ∅, unless emphatic.

See also

Inflection

Inflection of gjø  
person singular plural
first inclusive gjøi gjøs
exclusive gjøte
second humble gjøn
neutral gjøn gjø
third gjøș