Adpositions
Up until this point, we have used case endings to indicate a noun's role in a sentence. In this chapter, we will expand on this system with a new type of word: the adposition.
In this chapter, we will answer these questions:
- What is an adposition?
- How are adpositions used?
- How are case endings and adpositions different?
1. “What is an adposition?”
Adpositions are an extension of Na'vi's case system- they represent different ways that a noun can relate to a verb, other than being directly involved in the action as a subject or an object. Previously, I referred to cases as "roles" in a sentence, and this also applies to adpositions. They are added to nouns to indicate their relationship to the rest of the elements of the sentence.
If it sounds vague, that's because it is- adpositions vary wildly in what meaning they convey. Let's dig into examples to see them in action. Note that in a dictionary, their part of speech will be listed as adp.
If it sounds vague, that's because it is- adpositions vary wildly in what meaning they convey. Let's dig into examples to see them in action. Note that in a dictionary, their part of speech will be listed as adp.
2. “How are adpositions used?”
Adpositions can be used exactly like case endings: by adding them to the end of a noun.
ne |
(adp.) |
towards (direction) |
ftu |
(adp.) |
from (direction) |
|
po holum
they departed |
po holum kelutralne
they departed towards kelutral |
po holum kelkuftu
They departed from home |
However, adpositions are more flexible than case endings. They can also be placed directly before the noun phrase they affect. In writing, they are their own separate word- NOT a prefix.
|
po holum ne kelutral
they departed towards kelutral |
po holum ftu kelku
they departed from home |
In the case where adjectives are being used to describe a noun, and the adposition is placed before the noun, the adposition goes before the description as well.
|
ne hì'ia spxam aean hì'ang tìran
the insect walks towards the small blue mushroom |
hì'ia spxamne aean hì'ang tìran
the insect walks towards the small blue mushroom |
Some adpositions cause lenition. They will be listed with the + in dictionary entries, like the plurality prefixes. These only cause lenition when preceding a word, NOT when used as a suffix.
ro+ |
(adp.) |
at (location) |
wä+ |
(adp.) |
against |
|
kelutralro ultxa sayi fo
they will meet at kelutral oe wolem taronyuwä I fought against the hunter |
ro helutral ultxa sayi fo
they will meet at kelutral oe wolem wä saronyu I fought against the hunter |
When lenition occurs, it always affects the next word, regardless of if it's the one it is "attached" to. This can be an adjective!
|
wä tura taronyu oe wolem
I fought against the strong hunter |
txura taronyuwä oe wolem
I fought against the strong hunter |
Think like the Na’vi!
In situations where the adposition causes lenition, and the noun getting the adposition has the ay+ prefix (four or more), it's best to either not drop ay+, or use the adposition as a suffix to avoid ambiguity
In situations where the adposition causes lenition, and the noun getting the adposition has the ay+ prefix (four or more), it's best to either not drop ay+, or use the adposition as a suffix to avoid ambiguity
Because adpositions define a role, you cannot have an adposition AND a case ending on the same word. These two grammar tools are accomplishing the same task.
As for the question of WHEN adpositions are used, the simple answer is "whenever you need that role". Learning what different adpositions exist and how to use them will greatly expand the amount of detail you can add to your Na'vi.
The more helpful answer digs into the difference between adpositions and case endings.
As for the question of WHEN adpositions are used, the simple answer is "whenever you need that role". Learning what different adpositions exist and how to use them will greatly expand the amount of detail you can add to your Na'vi.
The more helpful answer digs into the difference between adpositions and case endings.
3. “How care case endings and adpositions different?”
Adpositions represent generic roles that are applicable to a wide array of verbs, where case endings represent roles that are verb-specific. Case endings, in this way, are a lot like pronouns- their meaning changes depending on the situation. If I said "they're coming", you would have no idea who "they" are without appropriate context. Similarly, if I said "payoangit", we know this is a fish as a direct object, but without the verb, what is happening to the fish is unknown. (though in the context of this guide, you might assume yom, and you would probably be correct!)
Adpositions, on the other hand, establish the same kind of relationship for every verb. The role expressed never changes. The phrase "kip ayeylan / ayeylankip" always means "among friends", regardless of what action is taking place.
Adpositions, on the other hand, establish the same kind of relationship for every verb. The role expressed never changes. The phrase "kip ayeylan / ayeylankip" always means "among friends", regardless of what action is taking place.
|
yom oel payoangit kip ayeylan
I eat fish among friends |
lì'fyati oel ftia kip ayeylan
I study language among friends |
Sometimes there is an overlap between an adpositions and the role defined by a case ending. For example, the verb tok's direct object is the location the subject is at. There are also adpositions ro+ and mì+, both of which can sometimes be used to indicate a location. In this situation, we always prefer case endings over adpositions when possible, because the role represented by a case ending is always more informative than the generic roles that adpositions define.
From the Film!
Neytiri honors the viperwolf slain to protect Jake
Neytiri honors the viperwolf slain to protect Jake
|
Neytiri: Oeru txoa livu, ma oeyä tsmukan. Hu Nawma Sa'nok tivul ngeyä tirea. Oeru txoa livu. May I have forgiveness, my brother. May your spirit run with the great mother. May I have forgiveness. |
In Summary
1. What is an adposition?
Adpositions are an extension of the case ending system, defining roles for nouns to relate to verbs.
2. How are adpositions used?
Adpositions can be added to the end of a noun like a suffix, or precede a word (separately).
Some adpositions cause lenition, but only do so when preceding a word.
3. How are case endings and adpositions different?
The meaning of being a subject or direct object of a verb changes depending on the verb. An adposition describes a kind of relation that is the same, regardless of what verb they are used with.
Adpositions are an extension of the case ending system, defining roles for nouns to relate to verbs.
2. How are adpositions used?
Adpositions can be added to the end of a noun like a suffix, or precede a word (separately).
Some adpositions cause lenition, but only do so when preceding a word.
3. How are case endings and adpositions different?
The meaning of being a subject or direct object of a verb changes depending on the verb. An adposition describes a kind of relation that is the same, regardless of what verb they are used with.
