Declension of nouns (noun prefixes)

 

This article will detail noun prefixes.

Neramese has 9 (7 unique) cases:

1. Indefinite nominative (dictionary)
2. Definite nominative
3. Genitive
4. Dative
5. Indefinite accusative (dictionary)
6. Definite accusative
7. Vocative
8. Locative
9. Instrumental/comitative
10. Comparative (like)

The definiteness of a noun works approximately the same as in Catalan. The definite article is used in all cases, except for situations where the indefinite would be used. The definite article must be used. This includes abstract concepts such as general concepts (the art, the math, the music, etc...),  countries/regions, superlatives, languages, addressing a group, and time and date. Names (any proper noun) and possession use the definite article as well. 

Only the nominative/accusative differentiate between definite and indefinite nouns. In all other cases, the definiteness is not defined and is of no importance.

All cases cause lenition. See the page on lenition for more details

1./5. Indefinite nominative/accusative - This is the form of the noun found in the dictionary. It is the form used for the subject or object.

2./6./7. Definite nominative/accusative and vocative - The noun takes the "n-" prefix if the noun begins in a vowel, and the "i-" prefix if the noun begins in a consonant. It is the form used for the subject or object. The vocative is used when calling a name/thing by its name, to capture its attention.

- eram (a language) -> neram (the language)

As names are also subject to the definite cases, they require these prefixes. However, any proper noun requires a hypen between the article and the name, with the article remaining lowercase.

- Nicola -> i-Nicola

Vocatives also require the definite article, even when calling out common nouns. 

- paras (a dog) -> ipharas!

3. Genitive - The noun takes the "me-" prefix. The genitive has many uses, with the most common being possession. It also means "from", is used with most prepositions, is used with some expressions like śorim me... (to get used to), and it is used to indicate the agent in passive constructions).

- zam (a world) -> mezam (of/from a/the world)

4. Dative - The noun takes the "pe-" prefix. The dative also has many uses, with the most common being the indicator for the indirect object, in opposition to the accusative. The dative is also used for the preposition "for" (not in the sense of "in order to"), in the sense of a donor for an action. ("I did this for my sister", for example). The dative is also used with a handful of prepositions, which will be detailed in a future article.

- uì (a man) -> peuì (for a/the man)

8. Locative - The noun take the "ez-" prefix if the noun begins in a vowel, and the "ze-" prefix if the noun begins in a consonant. The locative subsumes all locative prepositions that would be used in English and French. On, at, in are all translated using the locative case. In addition, "to", as in the directional "to", is also translated using the locative. Finally, one prepositions (towards - cazi) uses the locative, which will be explained in a future article.

- madras - a school -> zemhadras (at/in/on (a) school)

9. Instrumental/comitative - The noun uses the "pri-" prefix if the noun begins in a vowel, and the "pro-" prefix if the noun begins in a consonant. The instrumental/comitative is the combination of two cases, which in most languages would be separate. In English and French, these are usually the same (with/avec), but the instrumental can be distinguished with "using". In addition, this case also indicates the mode of transport used, by bus, by train, by foot, for example.

- bera (a woman) -> probhera (with a/the woman)

10. Comparative - Like, as. The noun takes the "alha-" prefix.

- tlora (flower) -> alhatlora (like a flower)