Prefix Reform

Prefix Reform is a proposal by Uakci to change how prefixes interact with the stems of words.

Reasons

1. Prefixes currently act weird.
   1. They are unable to interact with . This proposal would allow prefixes to go on words with
   2. It is unclear how exactly they affect vocalic length.
2. The current spelling of prefixes is not computer-friendly. They are difficult (if not impossible) to type for many and some characters, like ı̣ often do not display correctly in many fonts. This proposal would allow for easier input and guarantee compatibility with most good fonts.

Spelling changes

Instead of putting the tone mark on the first syllable, put it on the first syllable of the stem. In the case of a word with , use as the diacritic.

Examples

Official	Proposal
mụfoaq	mufòaq
lạ́maı	lamáı
bọ̈na	bonä
bộtao	botâo

Pronunciation changes

Stress the first syllable of the stem rather than the prefix, separating the stem from the prefixes. Prefixes should be pronounced unstressed, with its tone “anticipating” the stem’s contour. For example, if the stem starts high, the prefixes should be high. If the stem starts lower, the prefixes should be there as well.

Examples

Official	Proposal
puchụmtao /ˈpuː˥˨t͡ɕuˀum˨˩tʰao˩/	puchumtào /pu˥t͡ɕum˥˦ˈtao˦˩/
jı̣achıa /ˈd͡ʑiˀia˥˨t͡ɕia˨˩/	jıachìa /d͡ʑia˥˦ˈt͡ɕiːa˦˩/
lạ́maı bẹ́ıroı /ˈlaˀa˨˦mai˦˥ ˈbeˀi˨˩roi˩/	lamáı beıróı /la˧ˈmai˧˥ bei˧˨ˈroi˨˩/
N/A	bonä /bo˧˨ˈnaˀa˨˩/
jụ̂aqjuaı /ˈd͡ʑuˀuaŋ˧˥˨d͡ʑu˨˩ai˩/	juaqjûaı /d͡ʑuaŋ˧˦ˈd͡ʑu˦˥˨ai˨˩/

See also

• Uakci’s original message