3

I determined to create a conlang with tri-consonantal roots (I call them tri-cons for short). My question then arose, "what words would naturally have a tri-con?" Verbs and the nouns derived from them would have tri-cons as exemplified in natural nonconcatenative languages. At the same time, those very languages have words which seem unrelated to tri-cons. In essence, I do not want to create tri-cons where none would evolve for naturalism and efficiency purposes.

Perhaps a more clear question is, "how prevalent are tri-cons in nonconcatenative languages?"

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
0

Besides nouns and verbs, there are more content words that probably evolve triconsonantal root, namely adjectives and adverbs.

I won't expect function words like articles, determiners, pronouns, pre-/post-positions, particles, and conjunctions to be triconsonantal: Those words tend to be very short in any language and three consonants are already a heavy payload.

Somewhere on the fence are numerals and interjections: They can be "rooted", but they needn't.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    Triconsonantal "I, me" isn't out of the question though, as the real-world East and Southeast Asian Sprachbund is the home of co-opting nouns into service as personal pronouns for the sake of politeness. Look at w-t-š or b-k-w from Japanese or k-ñ-m from Khmer. Not to mention both Arabic and Japanese ʔ-n-t "you".
    – Damian Yerrick
    Dec 11, 2022 at 0:41
  • 1
    @DamianYerrick and in the context of triconsonantal languages, the Tigrinya 2nd & 3rd person pronouns also come from the PS n-p-š "breath/soul" root (albeit with the f < p assimilated to the s < š)
    – Tristan
    Dec 19, 2022 at 15:57

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.