Prefix

A system of derivational prefixes was introduced in Toaq Delta.

Morpho-phonology

A prefix is a single-raku morphological unit, one or more of which may attach to a stem (unprefixed word) to derive new meanings from it.

For example, mu- attached to a stem X means "un-X" (opposite), and ha- means "more X" (comparative). These meanings are independent of those of the stems mu and ha.

The first vowel of the last prefix gets a glottal stop inserted, to mark where the prefixes end and the stem begins. In writing, this is indicated with an underdot (ọ).

For example: sıq [sɪ̂ŋ] "clean" → mụsıq [múʔùsɪ̀ŋ] "dirty" → hamụsıq [hâmùʔùsɪ̀ŋ] "dirtier".

This glottalization does not conflict with the grammatical glottal tone , which is limited to single-raku function words that don't accept prefixes. You'll never see ◌̣ and ◌̈ in the same word.

Prefixes are right-grouping: hamụsıq = ha-(mu-(sıq)) = more(un(clean)).

Orthography

In contexts where the underdot is hard to input or render, you can use a hyphen (hamu-sıq gé-chuo) or interpunct (hamu·sıq gé·chuo).

List of prefixes

TODO