Descriptive modifiers give further attributes or description to the constructions they modify. They are formed when nominal stems are affixed with descriptive modification morphemes. Like posessive and adpositional descriptive, general modifiers always follow the constructions they modify.

Aesthetic-Emphatic Modifier Morpheme

The aesthetic-emphatic modifier morpheme 'tlo' is affixed to a nominal stem to create a descriptive modifier. Usually, the stem should be a non-empirical word and a word capable of description. The aesthetic-emphatic morpheme indicates that the description contained in the modifier is not factual but aesthetic or opinion-based. In a sentence with stron illocutionary force, it can also be interpreted as emphatic or even sarcastic. Below is an example of how to form an aesthetic-emphatic descriptive modifier:--

itu à itutlo

itu = beauty
itutlo = beautiful, beautifully

Empirical Modifier Morpheme

The empirical modifier morpheme 'tth' is affixed to a nominal stem to create a descriptive modifier. Usually, the stem should be a empirical word and a word capable of preciece description. The empirical morpheme indicates that the description contained in the modifier is factual or readily observable. Below is an example of how to form an empirical descriptive modifier:--

iche à ichetth

iche = red, redness
ichetth = red, reddish

The comparative modifier morpheme ''i' is affixed to a nominal stem which has been marked as a descriptive modifier, to create a comparative descriptive modifier. Below is an example of how to form a comparative descriptive modifier:--

itutlo à itutlo'i

itutlo = beautiful, beautifully
itutlo'i = more beautiful, more beautifully

ichetth à ichetthi

ichetth = red, reddish
ichetthi = more red

Unlike English, it is altogether acceptable in Idrani to use the comparative form even when describing only the compared having the greatest degree of the property or value out of the whole set of compared. For example, the Idrani phrase 'ehmoma'ash itutlo'i' translates as my mother is more beautiful. This phrase is acceptable and indicates that the mother mentioned is more beautifull than any other known to the hearers. It is not a superlative declaration, however, because it is not expressing the idea that the mother mentioned is more beautiful than all mothers, just those known to the hearers.

Superlative Modifier Morpheme

The superlative modifier morpheme ''a' is affixed to a nominal stem which has been marked as a descriptive modifier, to create a superlative descriptive modifier. Below is an example of how to form a superlative descriptive modifier:--

itutlo à itutlo'a

itutlo = beautiful, beautifully
itutlo'i = most beautiful, most beautifully

ichetth à ichettha

ichetth = red, reddish
ichetthi = most red

Comparator Particle

The comparator particle 'bi' is always used in conjunction with comparative modifiers. It is used to establish which of the compared in the set has the greatest degree of the property. The member of the set with the greatest degree comes first and the rest of the set follow with 'bi' interfixed. This entire construction is then followed by the comparative modifier. Below is an example of how to form a comparative phrase with the comparator particle:--

inpu bi sepi khitthi

inpu = dog
bi = than
sepi = bug
khitthi = bigger

Quantitative Degree Particle

The quantitative degree particle 'ba' is always used in conjunction with comparative phrases and quantities. It is used to establish the degree to which the compared in the set with the greatest degree surpasses the others in the set in the property of comparison. The comparative phrase comes first, followd by the quantitative degree particle 'ba' and then the quantity. Below is an example of how to use a quantitative degree particle:--

inpu bi sepi khitthi ba litriti

inpu = dog
bi = than
sepi = bug
khitthi = bigger
ba = by
litriti = three litres

Antecedent Marker

The antecedent marker is used to disambiguate the antecedents of multiple contiguous modifiers. This is usually neccesary in an idrani phrase wherein a list of modifiers which includes an adpositional and/or possessive modifier which may, themseves, be modified. For example, the phrase 'inpu retsinnah ichetth taminah matyan vanhatth' is very ambiguous. it consists of the following rough meanings in respective order dog, upon chair, red, upon mat, cat's, and brown. It becomes difficult to know which modifiers are modifying dog and which are modifying other modifiers in the phrase. The antecedent marker is used to remove such confusion. It is formed by taking the first vowel of the antecedent and attaching it to the modifier as a prefix. If more than one of the disambiguating antecedents have the same first vowel, then the first syllable (onset and nucleus only) may be used. Below is one of several possible examples of disabiguation for the phrase 'inpu retsinnah ichetth taminah matyan vanhatth':--

inpu retsinah eichetth etaminah tamatyan avanhatth

inpu = dog
retsinah = on chair [modifies dog]
eichetth = red [modifies chair]
etaminah = mat upon [modifies chair]
tamatyan = cat's [modifies mat]
avanhatth = brown [modifies cat]

Idrani Relativeizer Circumfix (The K'ko Particle)

The relativizer circumfix is placed around a phrase, converting it into a stem which can be marked and used in a variety of ways, not the least of which is to contain a subordinate clause. The opening morpheme of the circumfix is 'k'' and the closing morpheme is 'ko'.

For example, the phrase 'ruk, rabditopishweh ol jojatth' roughly translates as if they are written in two paragraphs then they are better. When this phrase is contained in the 'k'…ko' circumfix it is marked as a stem. A function morpheme, such as 'tlo' (which is a descriptive modification marker) can then be affixed to the 'k'…ko' construction, enabling the entire construction to be used as a modifier. For example, the construction could modify the word 'lahkokeih' which roughly translates as did sentence construction. This yields the phrase 'lahkokeih k'ruk, rabditopishweh ol jojatth kotlo' which roughly translates as did sentence construction of a best-written-in-two-paragraphs kind or in other words constructed sentences which would have been better written in two paragraphs.

Idrani Roots

A root is a content morpheme that is common to a set of derived and/or inflected forms. In idrani, roots are the most basic cannonized lexical units. In other words, in any Idrani dictionary all listings that are content morphemes are roots.

Idrani is a nominal language, meaning that all roots are nominal.  There are no verbal roots-- no verbs as such. There are only root morphemes which represent nominal concepts and which form stems, and function morphemes which modify such nominal stems.  As a result, literal translation between English and Idrani is sometimes cumbersome, because English is such a verb-intensive language. 

For example, where English has the verb ‘to eat,’ Idrani has the nominal root ‘kra,’ which roughly means ingestion.  This root can be used as a stem and marked as a deed by means of the morpheme 'sh' which represents contemporary temporal deixis and which marks 'kra' as a deed (not a verb). Thus 'krash' is literally translated as something like doing ingestion and not as ingesting or eating. So, in the Idrani lexicon, there is no verb 'to eat' to be found.

Idrani Stems

A stem is the root or roots of a word, together with any derivational morphemes, to which inflectional morphemes are added.  Idrani stems are always made up of one or more nominal roots. In Idrani, only roots are considered as derivational. In other words, the only derivational morphemes are roots found in spontaneous compounding, which is common in Idrani.

To illustrate spontaneous compounding, consider the following. The nominal root 'kala' means fish and the nominal root 'nake' means glance, sight or vision. Each of these roots can be used independently as a stem and can be accompanied by various inflectional morphemes. They can also be compounded into the stems 'kalanake' and 'nakekala' whose meanings are less clear outside of context.

For example, 'kalanake' could be translated as fish sight or fish vision with many possible meanings. It could refer to the way a fish sees. It could refer to the state of seeing a fish. It could be a metaphorical euphamism. In any case, the word 'kalanake' is a compound that does not exist in cannonized Idrani lexicon. It is a spontaneous compound stem. In the stem 'kalanake', the morpheme 'kala' is considered as derivational. Such spontaneous compounding is common in Idrani and gives the language a very plastic nature and the ability to convey subtle and poetic inferences very well.

Idrani stems almost always require an inflectional operation in order to make a fully understandable word. This means that Idrani stems are bound morphemes in a way.  For example, the Idrani stem ‘nake’ means vision. Yet, with only one exception, the stem 'nake' is never contextualized without the addition of other inflectional morphemes. Hence, ‘akhnake’ is his vision, ‘nakeye’ is some vision or some sight. Even in the exceptional case, the whole singular nominal inflection is implied and may be marked if desired.

Using the General Pronominal Morpheme

There are two steps to using the general pronominal morpheme. First, a nominal construction must be marked with the general pronominal referent marker 'zh' + DLV. Then the last vowel in that marked referent becomes the general pronominal and references the marked nominal from that point on in the discourse.

Marking the Referent

A general pronominal referent is marked as such by attaching the referent marker morpheme 'zh' + DLV to the referent as a suffix.  For example, the nominal ‘akhmatya’ meaning his cat(domestic house cat) can be marked as a referent by adding the referent marker morpheme ‘zh’ plus the last vowel in the word being marked. In the case of ‘akhmatya’, the last vowel is 'a' so we add the suffix 'zh + a' or 'zha' to 'akhmatya' yielding ‘akhmatyazha’ meaning roughly  his cat[marked as a referent]:--

akhmatya à akhmatyazha
(his cat)à (his cat [marked as a referent])
akhmatya = his cat
zh = [topic marker]

Once the referent is marked as above, the last vowel of the referent ('a' in this case) can be used to represent the referent throughout the rest of the discourse in any topic-comment phrase. For example, the phrase 'a, hepishan' consists of the general pronominal 'a' which points back to the nominal 'akhmatyazha' which we marked above. The pronominal 'a' is the topic in the phrase. The phrase also contains the comment 'hepishan' which roughly means I do not like it:--

a, hepishan
(his cat, I do not like it)
a = reference to 'akhmatya' meaning his cat
hepishan = I do not like it

There are four social deixis morphemes in Idrani.  All of the social deixis morphemes are monosyllabic and consist of the consonant ‘h’ plus a vowel plus the consonant 'h'.

Subordinate Social Deixis

The subordinate social deixis morpheme ‘heh’ is attached to the deed-word as a suffix.  It indicates that the speaker esteems the hearer as a subordinate or as someone owing consideration or honor to the speaker. For example, the deed-word ‘tahditeshe’’ roughly translates as (you) get me some food [as a command or request].  By adding the subordinate deictic ‘he’ to ‘tahditeshe’’ meaning (you) get me some food we get ‘tahditeshe’heh’ which still means (you) get me some food but which also illustrates to the hearer (the one being asked to get food) that the speaker esteems him as a subordinate or as one who is rightly asked to carry out a request due to social standing:--

tahditeshe’ à tahditeshe’heh
((you) get me some food à (you)[subordinate] get me some food) 

ta = [second person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal (agent)]
h = [first person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal (patient)]
di  = prepared food, victuals
te  = procurement
sh = [present-active deed-aspect]
e’ = [command or request marker]
heh = [subordinate social deixis]

The subordinate social deictic should only be used in a military setting or in very formal business or governmental venues.  Otherwise, the use of the subordinate social deictic ‘heh’ is a deliberate insult to the hearer since freedom and equality are fundamental concepts in the Idrani schema.

The peer social deixis morpheme ‘hoh’ is attached to the deed-word as a suffix.  It indicates that the speaker esteems the hearer as a peer or equal.   For example, the deed-word ‘tahditeshe’’ roughly translates as (you) get me some food [as a command or request].  By adding the peer deictic ‘hoh’ to ‘tahditeshe’’ meaning (you) get me some food we get ‘tahditeshe’hoh’ which still means (you) get me some food but which also illustrates to the hearer (the one being asked to get food) that the speaker esteems him as a peer or as one who is asked to carry out a request purely as a recognized kindness or favor and not due to any obligation based on social standing:--

tahditeshe’ à tahditeshe’hoh
((you) get me some food à (you)[peer] get me some food) 

ta = [second person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal (agent)]
h = [first person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal (patient)]
di  = prepared food, victuals
te  = procurement
sh = [present-active deed-aspect]
e’ = [command or request marker]
ho = [peer social deixis]

The peer social deictic is always polite in informal settings.  However in a military setting or in very formal business or governmental venues using the peer social deictic is an insult to any officer or official which is formally advanced in the organization relative to the speaker. Peer deixis is also the default social deixis of any deed-word and, therefore, is usually only marked for clarity or emphasis.

The superior social deixis morpheme ‘ha’ is attached to the deed-word as a suffix.  It indicates that the speaker esteems the hearer as a superior or as one who has earned the respect and or service of the speaker. For example, the deed-word ‘hatplekhtasu’’ roughly translates as may I help you [as an inquerry or polite request]. By adding the superior deictic ‘ha’ to ‘hatplekhtasu’’ meaning may I help you we get ‘hatplekhtasu’ha’ which still means may I help you but which also illustrates to the hearer (the one being offered help) that the speaker esteems him as a superior or one worthy of service or respect based on social standing:--

hatplekhtasu’ à hatplekhtas’hah
(may I help you à may I help you[superior])

h = [first person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal (agent)]
at = [second person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal (patient)]
plekhta  = assistance
s = [abilitative-permissive deed-aspect]
u’ = [inquery or polite request marker]
ha = [superior social deixis]

 The superior social deictic is always polite.  However in a military setting or in very formal business or governmental venues it is always best to use the correct social deixis.

The deific social deixis morpheme ‘huh’ is attached to the deed-word as a suffix.  It is reserved for addressing God.  For example, the deed-word ‘hutkenasha’’ roughly translates as I thank thee [as an unworthy or inadequate offering or request].  By adding the deific deictic ‘huh’ to ‘hutkenasha’’ meaning I thank thee we get ‘hutkenasha’huh’ which still means I thank thee but which also illustrates that the speaker believes he is addressing God:--

hutkenasha’ à hutkenasha’huh
(I thank thee à I thank thee[deity])

h = [first person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal (agent)]
ut = [second person, singular, neuter, personal, deific pronominal (patient)]
kena  = thanks
sh = [present-active deed-aspect]
a’ = [unworthy, inadequate statement or request]
hu = [deific social deixis]

The deific social deictic should always be reserved for addressing God.  Using the deific social deictic when addressing any human is considered offensive.

Nominal classification morphemes are single consonants or consonant clusters such as ‘t’ or ‘ks’ respectively.  There are five nominal classification morphemes in Idrani commonly refered to as classifiers.  Idrani classifiers are bound morphemes because they always appear with nominal specification morphemes known as specifiers.  For ease, the specifier ‘a’ which is the indefinite, non-deictic,  whole specifier, will be used throughout this section with classifier examples. 

Classifiers are bound inflectional morphemes.   Idrani classifiers are very similar to classifiers found in Mandarin.  Fortunately, they are not as prolific as Mandarin classifiers.  In fact, there are only five classifiers as opposed to the dozens in Mandarin. 

The Archetypal Classifier

The archetypal classifier indicates that the nominal it is attached to is of a certain variety or type. It has functional analogs in English words like ‘type of, variety of’ and ‘kind of’ as used in sentences like ‘that type of behavior is not allowed’.

The archetypal classifier is attached to the stem as a suffix.  For example, the stem ‘kohti’ meaning house can be made archetypal by adding the archetypal suffix ‘t’ with its accompanying specifier (in this case ‘a’  which is indefinite, non-deictic, whole) to form ‘kohtita’ which roughly means a type of home:--

kohti à kohtita
(a type of house)
kohti  =  house
ta = a type of

The Clustered Classifier

The clustered classifier indicates that the nominal it is attached to is a clustered, bundled, bound or packaged.  It has functional analogs in English words like ‘cluster of, bundle of, book of’ and ‘stack of’ as used in phrases like ‘please buy a book of stamps’.

 The clustered classifier is attached to the stem as a suffix.  For example, the stem ‘eti’ meaning paper or page can be clustered by adding the clustered suffix ‘b’ with its accompanying specifier (in this case ‘a’ which is indefinite, non-deictic, whole) to form ‘etiba’ which roughly means a stack of paper:--

eti à etiba
(a bundle of paper)
eti  =  paper
ba = a bundle of

The Contained Classifier

The contained classifier indicates that the nominal it is attached to is a contained, confined, or packaged.  It has functional analogs in English words like ‘container of, room  of, book of’ and ‘package of’ as used in phrases like ‘a container of oil’.

 The contained classifier is attached to the stem as a suffix.  For example, the stem ‘mehu’ meaning juice can be contained by adding the contained suffix ‘q’ with its accompanying specifier (in this case ‘a’  which is indefinite, non-deictic, whole) to form ‘mehuqa’ which roughly means a container of juice:--

mehu à mehuqa
(a container of juice)
mehu  =  juice
qa = a container of

The Paired/Grouped Classifier

The paired or grouped classifier indicates that the nominal it is attached to is a set.  It has functional analogs in English words like ‘set of, pair  of, group of’ and ‘herd of’ as used in phrases like ‘there was a herd of sheep’.

The grouped classifier is attached to the stem as a suffix. For example, the stem ‘bavi’ meaning cow or bull can be clustered by adding the clustered suffix ‘g’ with its accompanying specifier (in this case ‘a’ which is indefinite, non-deictic, whole) to form ‘baviga’ which roughly means a herd of cows:--

bavi à baviga
(a herd of cow(s))
bavi  =  cow
ga = a herd of

The Portional Classifier

The portional classifier indicates that the nominal it is attached to is a part of a larger aggregate. It has functional analogs in English words like ‘piece of, stick of, chip of” and ‘shard of’ as used in phrases like ‘a shard of glass on the floor’.

 The portional  classifier is attached to the stem as a suffix. For example, the stem ‘tsukla’ meaning chocolate can be made portional by adding the portional suffix ‘ks’ with its accompanying specifier (in this case ‘a’  which is indefinite, non-deictic, whole) to form ‘tsuklaksa’ which roughly means a piece of choclate:--

tsukla à tsuklaksa
(a piece of choclate)
tsukla  =  chocolate
ksa = a piece of

The Unitary Classifier

The unitary classifier indicates that the nominal it is attached to is a unique or single unit or is considered as whole or as an independent component.  It has no real analogs in English.  However, a partial sense of its meaning might be analogously expressed in the English word ‘whole’ as used in the phrase ‘I ate a whole elephant’.

The  unitary  classifier is attached to the stem as a suffix. For example, the stem ‘inpu’ meaning dog can be made unitary by adding the unitary suffix ‘w’ with its accompanying specifier (in this case ‘a’  which is indefinite, non-deictic, whole) to form ‘inpuwa’ which roughly means a (whole) dog:--

inpu à inpuwa
(a piece of choclate)
inpu  =  dog
wa = a (whole)

As mentioned previously, the unitary classifier exists in three forms which are environmentally dependent.  It is expressed as ‘w’ in the environment of a preceeding ‘o’ or ‘u’, and as ‘y’ in the environment of a preceding ‘a, i’ or ‘a’, and in some cases as ‘’’ in the environment of a preceding ‘y + V’.

Forming Basic Positive Numeric Stems with Secondary Numeric Morphemes

A basic, positive numeric stem (in relationship to secondary numeric morphemes) is one which represents the values of the secondary numeric morpheme in two consecutive places respectively.  For example, using the morpheme ‘dh’ whose consecutive values are 1, and 2 to represent the number ‘12’ as a stem is a basic, positive use of ‘dh’.

To do so, the morpheme ‘dh’ is followed by the morpheme ‘ii’ which indicates that the number is positive. This combination yields the stem ‘dhii’ which represents the number ‘12’:--

dhii = 12

dh  =  consecutive values one and two
ii (following ‘dh’)  = [number is positive becaus it starts with a consonant rather than 'ii']

As may be obvious, the number ‘12’ could also be constructed using the basic numeric morphemes ‘s’ whose value is 1 and ‘i’ whose value is 2, yielding ‘si’ which also represents the number ‘12’. The choice of which to use in the case of the number ‘12’ can depend on several things, not the least of which is the symbolic meaning of the number ‘12’ in Idrani.  However, the choice remains in the hands of the speaker.

Forming Basic Negative Numeric Stems with Secondary Numeric Morphemes

A basic, negative numeric stem (in relationship to secondary numeric morphemes) is one which expresses a negative number in which two consecutive places are filled with the respective values of the secondary numeric morpheme.  For example, using the morpheme ‘dh’ whose values are 1, and 2 to represent the number ‘-12’ as a stem is a basic, negative use of ‘dh’.

To do so, the morpheme ‘dh’ is preceded by the morpheme ‘ii’ which indicates that the number is negative because it begins with a vowel.  This combination yields the stem ‘iidh’ which represents the number ‘-12’:--

iidh = -12

dh  =  consecutive values one and two
ii (preceding ‘dh’)  = [number is negative because it begins with the vowelar morpheme 'ii']

Just as with the number ‘12’ exemplified above, the number ‘-12’ can also be constructed using the basic numeric morphemes ‘u’ whose value is 1 and ‘d’ whose value is 2, yielding ‘ud’ which represents the number ‘-12’.  The choice of which to use in the case of the number ‘-12’ can depend on several things, not the least of which is the symbolic meaning of the number  ‘-12’ in Idrani.  However, the choice remains in the hands of the speaker.

The functional numeric morphemes perform functions, such as duplication of number values and place holding in the construction of numeric stems.  The functional numeric morphemes fall into two categories—those that hold places and those that duplicate values in places. The place holders each have a consonantal and a vowelar form. The duplicators have only one form.

The place holder numeric morphemes are used to hold empty places in numeric stems.  There are three place holder morphemes which hold a specific number of places. There is also one place holder which can hold up to nine places. It is important to understand that place holders hold places and not place values. 

The single place holder morpheme has a consonantal and a vowelar form.  The single place holder holds one empty place value and may never be used to represent absolute zero.  If the numeric morpheme which precedes a single place holder is a vowel, the consonantal form of the single place holder ‘n’ is used. If the numeric morpheme which precedes a single place holder is a consonant, the vowelar form of the single place holder ‘ai’ is used.

 Suppose, for instance that we want to represent the number ‘708’as a numeric stem.  Since the stem is positive, it is begun by the consonantal form of the numeric value 7 which is ‘sk’.  Since ‘sk’ is consonantal, we will use the vowelar version of the single place holder which is ‘ai’ to hold the next place. Finally, we finish the stem with the consonantal form of the numeric value 8 which is ‘k’.  The end result is the stem ‘skaik’ which represents the number ‘708’ and where the single place holder morpheme ‘ai’ happens to be holding the tens place:--

skaik = 708

[initial consonant]  = positive
sk  =  seven [in hundreds place] à seven hundred
ai  =  [place holder in tens place]
ka  =  eight [in ones place] à eight

(uana = -708)

The multiple place holder morpheme has a consonantal form only.  The multiple place holder holds an indefinite number of empty places. Like all the other place holder morphemes, it may never be used to represent absolute zero. 

The multiple place holder morpheme is ‘kh’.  The number of places held by the multiple place holder is determined by a set of basic numeric morphemes which directly follow the multiple place holder morpheme.

To exemplify, suppose that we want to represent the number ‘7,000,000’ as a numeric stem. Since the stem is positive, it is begun by the consonantal form of the numeric value 7 which is ‘sk’.  Because ‘sk is consonantal, it cannot be directly followed by the multiple place holder morpheme ‘kh’. The phonemic construction ‘skkh’ is phonologically intolerable in Idrani.  As a result, the consonantal and vowelar forms of the value 7 are used, yielding ‘skua’.  The cluster ‘skua’ is then followed by the multiple place holder morpheme ‘kh’ yielding ‘skuakh’. But this still does not tell us how many places are being held.

 This ambiguity is resolved by applying additional numeric morphemes which indicate the number of places being held by ‘kh’.  In our case, the 7 in the ten thousands place is followed by six empty places.  So, we add the vowelar form of the numeric value 6 (which is ‘ou’) to ‘skuakh’ yielding ‘skuakhou’.

We are still left with one final ambiguity to resolve, however.  To illustrate, suppose we desire to represent the number ’70,000,001’ as a stem.  On the outset, it seems that adding the consonantal form of the numeric value 1 (which is ‘s’) to the stem we have thus far formed ‘skuakhou’ is all that needs to be done. This creates the stem ‘skuakhous’. On closer inspection, however, there is no real way of knowing whether the ‘khous’ portion of ‘skuakhous’ means [followed by six zeros and a one] or [followed by sixty-one zeros]. Some form of delimiter is needed to determine where the numeric morphemes which express the number of empty place values end and where the next place value begins.  This delimiting is accomplished by using the consonantal and vowelar forms of the last numeric morpheme in the string of numeric morphemes that express the number of zeros following ‘kh’.

For example, the stem we used previously ‘skuakhous’ actually represents seven followed by 61 zeros. This is because the numeric morpheme ‘ou’ which directly follows the multiple place holder morpheme ‘kh’ is not not marked as the delimiter by its consonantal counterpart ‘ps’.  Thus, the numeric morpheme ‘s’ which follows ‘ou’ is still considered as part of the number of zeros following.  Accordingly, the correct way of expressing the number ’70,000,001’ as a stem is ‘skuakhoupsu’:--

skuakhoupsu = 70,000,001

[initial consonant]  = positive
skua  =  seven [in ten millions place] à seventy million
kh  =  [place holder]
ou  =  six [places held]
ps  =  six [end of empty places held (because ‘ou’ and ‘ps’ are both 6)]
u  =  one [in ones place] à one

(uakhoupsu = -70,000,001)

The duplicator numeric morphemes are used fill places in numeric stems with duplicate values. There are two duplicator morphemes, one which duplicates the value preceding it once and one which duplicates the value preceding it any number of times. 

Suppose, for instance that we want to represent the number ‘221’ as a numeric stem.  Since the stem is positive, it is begun by the consonantal version of the basic numeric value 2 which is ‘d’.  The single duplicator morpheme ‘’a’ is then added yielding ‘d’a’ where ‘’a’ fills the second place with the value 2 since the numeric morpheme ‘d’ which precedes it also carries the value 2.  Finally, we finish the stem with the consonantal form of the numeric value 1 which is ‘s’.  The end result is the stem ‘d’as’ which has the value 221:--

d’as= 221

[initial consonant]  = positive
d  =  two [in hundreds place] à two hundred
‘a  =  [single duplicator in tens place] à twenty
s  =  one [in ones place] à one 

(i’an = -221)

The multiple duplicator morpheme is ‘y’ or ‘w’.  The number of places held by the multiple duplicator is determined by a special set of basic numeric morphemes which directly follow the multiple duplicator morpheme. 

Suppose, for instance that we want to represent the number ‘7,777,777’ as a numeric stem.  Since the stem is positive, it is begun by the consonantal for of the numeric value 7 which is ‘sk’.  The morpheme ‘sk’  is then followed by the multiple duplicator morpheme ‘w’ or ‘y’ yielding ‘skw’ or ‘sky’ respectively. But this still does not tell us how many places are being filled with duplicates.

This ambiguity is resolved by applying additional numeric morphemes which indicate the number of places being held by ‘y’ or ‘w’.  In our case, the 7 in the ten thousands place is followed by six more sevens.  So, we ad the vowelar form of the numeric value 6 (which is ‘ou’) to ‘sky’ or ‘skw’ yielding ‘skyou’ or ‘skwou’ which both represent the number ‘7,777,777’.

We are still left with one final ambiguity to resolve.  To illustrate, suppose we desire to represent the number ‘77,777,771’. as a stem.  On the outset, it seems that adding the consonantal form of the numeric value 1 (which is ‘s’) to the stem ‘skwou’ or ‘skyou’ is all that needs to be done.  This creates the stem ‘skwous’ or ‘skyous’.

On closer inspection, however, there is no real way of knowing whether the ‘wous’ portion of ‘skwous’ means [followed by six sevens and a one] or [followed by sixty-one sevens].  Some form of delimiter is needed to determine where the numeric morphemes which dictate how many sevens end and the next place value begins.  This delimiting is accomplished by using the consonantal and vowelar forms of the last numeric morpheme in the string of numeric morphemes that represents the number of zeros following.

For example, the stem we used previously ‘skwous’ actually represents seven followed by 61 zeros. This is because the numeric morpheme ‘ou’ which directly follows the multiple duplicator morpheme ‘w’ is not not marked as the delimiter by its consonantal counterpart ‘ps’.  Thus, the numeric morpheme ‘s’ which follows ‘ou’ is still considered as part of the number of sevens following.  Accordingly, the correct way of representing number ‘77,777,771’. as a stem is ‘skwoupsu’:--

skwoupsu = 77,777,771

[initial consonant]  = positive
sk  =  seven [in ten millions place] à seventy million
w  =  [multiple duplicator]
ou  =  six [number of sevens duplicated]
ps  =  six [end of number of duplications (because ‘ou’ and ‘ps’ are both 6)]
u  =  one [in ones place] à one 

(uawoupsu = -77,777,771)

Complex numeric stems use a combination of some or all of the numeric morphemes.  For example, the number ‘56,000,238,881’ is a prime candidate for complex construction.  A stem representing this number could be created in a number of ways.

In this case, we will begin with a secondary numeric morpheme, ‘k-h’ which will represent the values 5 and 6 in the first two places respectively.  This is a good choice because ‘k-h’ is consonantal, thus indicating that the number is positive, and because ‘k-h’ fills two places with only one morpheme. 

Next, we will add the functional numeric morpheme ‘iu’ which is the triple place holder. So far, this yields ‘k-hiu’ which fills the first five places with the values 5,6,0,0  and 0 respectively. 

Next, we will add the consonantal form of the basic numeric value 2 which is ‘d’ and the vowelar form of the basic numeric value  3  which is ‘e’. This yields ‘k-hiude’ which fills the first seven places of our emerging number with the values 5,6,0,0,0,2 and 3 respectively. 

Now, we will deal with the triple eights.  We will do this by using the multiple duplicator ‘y’, which is a functional numeric morpheme.  First we indicate the value that will be duplicated. In this case, the value is 8 and will be represented by the consonantal version of the basic numeric morpheme for that value, namely ‘k’. To this we will add the multiple duplicator morpheme ‘y’ followed by the basic numeric morpheme ‘et’ which is both the vowelar and consonantal forms of the basic numeric value 3.  This indicates that the duplication will be carried out thrice.  We use both the consonantal and vowelar forms of the value 3 because that indicates that the portion of the numeric stem which expresses the number of duplications is ended.  To this point, the numeric stem is ‘k-hiudekyet’ which fills the first ten places with the values 5,6,0,0,0,2,3,8,8 and 8 respectively. 

Finally, we will add the basic numeric morpheme ‘u’ which holds the value of 1.  This completes the stem, yielding ‘k-hiudekyetu’ which represents the number ‘56,000,238,881’:--

k-hiudekyetu = 56,000,238,881

[initial consonant]  = positive
k-h  =  five and six [in ten billions and billions places respectively] à fifty six billion
iu  =  [triple place holder]
d  =  two [in hundred thousands place] à two hundred thousand
e  =  three [in ten thousands place] à thirty thousand
k  = eight
y  =  [multiple duplicator]
e  =  three [number of eights duplicated]
= eight in thousands, hundreds and tens places] à eight thousand, eight hundred, eighty
t  =  three [end of number of duplications (because ‘e’ and ‘t’ are both 3)
u  =  one [in ones place] à one

(iik-hiudekyetu = -56,000,238,881)

Base adpositional morphemes are all monosyllables (such as ‘nih’) composed of a consonantal onset (like ‘n’), a vowelar nucleus (like ‘i’) and a consonantal coda (like ‘h’). In this base form, Idrani adpositionals are attached to nominal stems as suffixes for the purpose of converting them into adpositional modifiers. 

Idrani base adpositional morphemes have a much broader and far more abstract meaning than English prepositions. To illustrate, consider the adpositional suffix ‘nih’.  The suffix ‘nih’ encompasses concepts like in, within, in the middle of, inside, into and even during in some cases. The specific interpretation of an adpositional morpheme is ultimately accomplished relative to context. 

In addition, ranges of adpositional meaning may also overlap. The adpositional morphemes ‘nih’ and ‘nah,’ for example, share the conceptual domain during.  In such cases, the speaker is charged with choosing the most suitable morpheme.

So, adding the base adpositional morpheme ‘nah’ to the stem ‘qachi,’ meaning bridge, as a suffix produces the locative modifier ‘qachinah’ which roughly means upon the bridge:--

qachi à qachinah

qachi = bridge
qachinah = upon (the) bridge

The adpositional modifier ‘qachinah’ can now be used to modify some other construction.  Since Idrani is a head first language, the adpositional modifier always follows the construction it modifies:-- 

tsiksayu  qachinah

that bird upon the bridge
tsiksayu = that instance of a bird
qachinah = upon (the) bridge

Base adpositional morphemes are always static in their sense.  In other words, they imply a state or a location, not a change, motion or contemporary repositioning. So, in the example above, the bird would not be considered as in the process of lighting on the bridge, or moving along the bridge or even as being at one point on the bridge over a period of time.  Instead, the sense is of a bird at a certain point in time, fixed on the bridge.

Adpositional polarity means that adpositionals carry dual meaning.  A base form meaning, considered as pole a, and a converse meaning, considered as pole b. For example, the positional ‘nah’ generally means on or upon.  Yet, it can also mean of off or off from.  Such a polarity shift is achieved by inverting the base adpositional.  So, ‘nah’ becomes ‘han,’ changing the meaning of the affix from on to off of:--

qachi à qachihan

qachi = bridge
qachihan = off of (the) bridge

All of the base adpositionals can be changed via polarity. The subtleties of the pole a and pole b meanings of each adpositional cannot be covered in this brief document.

Base adpositionals, whether in pole a or pole b form can undergo a permutation that adds the lative sense to the adpositional morpheme. In their base form, all adpositional morphemes are static in their sense. The static sense indicates that the adpositional relationship is immobile, or fixed.  The English preposition, ‘inside,’ for example, is static. It describes an adpositional relationship that is immobile.  In contrast, the English preposition ‘into,’ is lative.  It describes an adpositional relationship involving motion, or a change of state.

The lative form adpositional suffixes (whether in pole  a form or pole b form) is accomplisshed by changing the nucleus to a geminate vowel. So, the static forms, ‘nah’ and ‘han,’ change to the lative forms, ‘naah’ and ‘haan,’ which changes the respective meanings of the suffixes from upon and off of, to going upon and coming off of:--

qachi à qachinaah

qachi = bridge
qachinaah = going onto (the) bridge

It is important to note that when a lative adpositional is used to form an adpositional modifier, that modifier suggests the action of the construction it modifies:--

tsiksayu  qachinaah
(that bird which is lighting upon the bridge)

tsiksayu = that instance of a bird
qachinaah = going up onto (the) bridge

There are several adpositional morphemes which are derived from certain base adpositionals and which function just like their base counterparts except that they are prefixes rather than suffixes.  

In most cases, these irregular adpositional prefixes consists of the onset of the base.  So, the prefix form of the adpositional base ‘nih’ is ‘n,’ which is the onset of ‘nih.’  In some cases, however, the irregular prefix consists of the coda of the base adpositional.  So, the prefix form of the adpositional base ‘tim’ is ‘m,’ which is the coda of ‘tim.’

A polarity shift to the b pole rules out the use of irregular adpositional prefixes, since the meanings of all the irregular adpositional prefixes belong to pole a, which is the pole associated with the adpositional base form.  So, when an adpositional affix is shifted to pole b, the irregular adpositional prefix of that adpositional cannot be used to indicate the b pole meaning.

The irregular adpositional prefix is used rather than the base adpositional morpheme when, and only when a stem begins with a vowel or when it is carrying an additional prefix which begins with a vowel.  For example, if a stem begins with a vowel, as ‘iltla,’ meaning land does, the irregular prefix, ‘h’ should be used rather than the base adpositional suffix ‘nah’:--

iltla à hiltla and not iltlanah

iltla = land
hiltla = upon (the) land

Also,  if ‘qachi,’ meaning bridge, is coupled with the prefix ‘eh,’ meaning my, the irregular prefix ‘h’ should be used, rather than base adpositional suffix ‘nah’ because of the initial vowel provided by the prefix ‘eh’:--

ehqachi à hehqachi and not ehqachinah

ehqachi = my bridge
hehqachi = upon my bridge

When in doubt about whether to use an irregular adpositional prefix or the base adpositional as a suffix, always default to the base adpositional as a suffix.

The purpose of a deed-word marked as a condition is to establish that the marked deed-word is a proposition related to the next following deed-word, in reasoning, as a premise to a conclusion, or an antecedent to a consequent.  In other words, conditional morphemes mark deed-word phrases as conditions or premises upon which other deed-word phrases are based.

In this way, conditional morphemes are functionally similar to modal morphemes, as they mark entire phrases.  In the following subsections, samples and descriptions of each conditional morpheme are set forth.

The Provisional Conditional Morpheme

The provisional morpheme is analogous to the ‘if…’ statement in English.  It indicates that the deed in the marked deed-word is a provision that must be true if the premise of the deed-word that follows it is to be true.

The provisional sense is achieved when the provisional conditional morpheme ‘f’’ is added to the deed-word as a prefix.  For example, the deed word ‘tapilsivan’ roughly translates as  you will not sleep.  The deed of not sleeping specified in the deed-word ‘tapilsivan’ is made provisional when the provisional condition ‘f’’ is added as a prefix. This yields ‘f’tapilsivan’ which roughly means if you will not sleep:--

tapilsivan à f’tapilsivan

(you will not sleep à if you will not sleep)

This deed-word is then followed by another deed word which is true bassed on the truthfulness of the provision.  So, ‘f’tapilsivan’ meaning if you will not sleep could be followed by the deed word ‘takruem’ meaning roughly you will surely die:-- 

f’tapilsivan, takruem
(if you will not sleep you will surely die)

f’ = [provisional condition]
ta = [second person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal]
pilsi = slumber
v = [future active deed-aspect]
an = [deed-word negation]
kru = death
e = [future temporal diexis]
m = [obligatory-neccesative deed-aspect]

The Causal-Evidential Conditional Morpheme

The causal-evidential morpheme is functionally analogous to the English word ‘because’ in the statement ‘because you had a second drink, we were late’.  It indicates that the deed in the marked deed-word is a reason, evidence or explanation for  the premise of the deed-word that follows it.

The causal-evidential sense is achieved when the causal-evidential conditional morpheme ‘k’’ is added to the deed-word as a prefix. For example, the deed word ‘tapilsivan’ roughly translates as  you will not sleep.  The deed of not sleeping specified in the deed-word ‘tapilsivan’ is made causal-evidential when the conditional prefix ‘k’’ is added, yielding ‘k’tapilsivan’ which roughly means because you will not sleep:--

tapilsivan à k’tapilsivan

(you will not sleep à because you will not sleep)

This deed-word is then followed by another deed word whose premise is caused or evidenced by the first deed-word.  So, ‘k’tapilsivan’ meaning because you will not sleep could be followed by the deed word ‘tamokhtaesan’ meaning roughly you will not be allowed to come along:-- 

k’tapilsivan, tamokhtaesan
(because you will not sleep you will not be allowed to come along)

k’ = [causal-evidential condition]
ta = [second person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal]
pilsi = slumber
v = [future active deed-aspect]
an = [deed-word negation]
mokhta  = personal accompaniment
e = [future temporal diexis]
s = [abilitative-permissive deed-aspect]

The Concessive Conditional Morpheme

The concessive conditional morpheme is functionally analogous to the English words ‘in spite of in the statement ‘in spite of your second drink, we were on time’.  It indicates that the deed in the marked deed-word is a concession, or exception which supports the premise of the deed-word that follows it.

The concessive sense is achieved when the concessive conditional morpheme ‘ts’’ is added to the deed-word as a prefix.  For example, the deed word ‘tapilsivan’ roughly translates as you will not sleep.  The deed of not sleeping specified in the deed-word ‘tapilsivan’ is made concessive when the conditional prefix ‘ts’’ is added, yielding ‘ts’tapilsivan’ which roughly means notwithstanding that you will not sleep:--

tapilsivan à ts’tapilsivan

(you will not sleep à notwithstanding that you will not sleep)

This deed-word is then followed by another deed word whose premise is supported by the first deed-word. So, ‘ts’tapilsivan’ meaning notwithstanding that you will not sleep could be followed by the deed word ‘tamokhtaes’ meaning roughly you will be allowed to come along:-- 

ts’tapilsivan, tamokhtaes
(notwithstanding that you will not sleep, you will be allowed to come along)

ts’ = [concessive condition]
ta = [second person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal]
pilsi = slumber
v = [future active deed-aspect]
an = [deed-word negation]
mokhta  = personal accompaniment
e = [future temporal diexis]
s = [abilitative-permissive deed-aspect]

The Temporal Precedent Conditional Morpheme

The temporal precedent conditional morpheme is functionally analogous to the English words ‘prior to’ in the statement ‘prior to your second drink, we could have been  on time’.  It indicates that the deed in the marked deed-word is a  temporal prerequisite to the premise of the deed-word that follows it.

The temporal precedent sense is achieved when the temporal precedent conditional morpheme ‘p’’ is added to the deed-word as a prefix.  For example, the deed word ‘tamokhtaes roughly translates as you will be allowed to come along.  The deed of not coming along specified in the deed-word ‘tamokhtaes’ is made a temporal precedent when the conditional prefix ‘p’’ is added, yielding ‘p’tamokhtaes’ which roughly means before you will be allowed to come along:--

tamokhtaes à p’tamokhtaes

(you will be allowed to come along à before you will be allowed to come along)

This deed-word is then followed by another deed word whose premise requires the prerequisite present in the first deed-word.  So, ‘p’tamokhtaes’ meaning before you will be allowed to come along could be followed by the deed word ‘tapilsiem’ meaning roughly you must sleep:-- 

p’tamokhtaes,  tapilsiem
(before you will be allowed to come along,  you must sleep)

p’ = [temporal precedent condition]
ta = [second person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal]
mokhta  = personal accompaniment
e = [future temporal diexis]
s = [abilitative-permissive deed-aspect]
pilsi = slumber
e = [future temporal diexis]
m = [obligatory-neccesative deed-aspect]

The Temporal Coincidental Conditional Morpheme

The temporal coincidental conditional morpheme is functionally analogous to the English word ‘while’ in the statement ‘while you eat, we will deliver the news’.  It indicates that the deed in the marked deed-word is a temporally synchronous to the deed in the deed-word that follows it.

The temporal coincidental sense is achieved when the temporal coincidental conditional morpheme ‘s’’ is added to the deed-word as a prefix.  For example, the deed word ‘tamokhtah roughly translates as you came along.  The deed of not coming along specified in the deed-word ‘tamokhtah’ is made a temporal coincidental when the conditional prefix ‘s’’ is added, yielding ‘s’tamokhtah’ which roughly means while you came along:--

tamokhtah à s’tamokhtah

(you came along à while you came along)

This deed-word is then followed by another deed word whose premise is now simultaneous to that of the first deed-word.  So, ‘s’tamokhtah’ meaning while you came along could be followed by the deed word ‘khapilsih’ meaning roughly he slept:-- 

s’tamokhtah,  khapilsih
(while you came along, he slept)

s’ = [temporal coincidental condition]
ta = [second person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal]
mokhta  = personal accompaniment
h = [past-active deed-aspect]
kha = [third person, singular, male, personal, human pronominal]
pilsi = slumber

The Temporal Pursuant Conditional Morpheme

The temporal pursuant conditional morpheme is functionally analogous to the English word ‘after’ in the statement ‘after you eat, we will deliver the news’.  It indicates that the deed in the marked deed-word is temporally following the deed in the deed-word that follows it.

The temporal pursuant sense is achieved when the temporal pursuant conditional morpheme ‘t’’ is added to the deed-word as a prefix.  For example, the deed word ‘tamokhtah roughly translates as you came along.  The deed of not coming along specified in the deed-word ‘tamokhtah’ is made a temporal pursuant when the conditional prefix ‘t’’ is added, yielding ‘t’tamokhtah’ which roughly means after you came along:--

tamokhtah à t’tamokhtah

(you came along à after you came along)

This deed-word is then followed by another deed word whose premise is now temporally after that of  the first deed-word.  So, ‘t’tamokhtah’ meaning after you came along could be followed by the deed word ‘hepilsiherin’ meaning roughly I never slept again:-- 

t’tamokhtah,  hepilsiherin
(after you came along, I never slept again)

t’ = [temporal pursuant condition]
ta = [second person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal]
mokhta  = personal accompaniment
h = [past-active deed-aspect]
he = [first person, singular, neuter, personal, human pronominal]
pilsi = slumber
eri = [omni-temporal deixis]
n = [deed-word negation]