How to Use the Heláin Dictionary
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Dictionary principles, sound changes, abbreviations, etc.
This public article was written by [Deactivated User], and last updated on 14 Dec 2017, 16:37.
[comments] hln
2. Bits and Pieces
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10. The Letter of Amainta
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?FYI...
This article is a work in progress! Check back later in case any changes have occurred.
This article is a work in progress! Check back later in case any changes have occurred.
[Throughout this article, I assume that the dictionary is as I mean it to be. There will be anomalies for quite some time.]
The CWS dictionary for Heláin is meant to be complete but fairly sleek. To that end, I've followed these rules:
-- one entry/wordlink for each Heláin word
-- no separate entries for regular derivatives of verbs (infinitive/participles)
-- no ambiguous transliterations
Each Heláin word has one entry. The wordlink should give some idea of at least one of the word's senses, but it's not always the best translation (nor always even a possible translation: I've tended to ignore valency). The 'notes' section holds suggested translations, usage notes, and (in square brackets) unpredictable forms.
Unless otherwise noted, a verb has a regularly-formed infinitive (INF), active participle (AP), and passive participle (PP). How these derived nouns are translated depends on their root verb, but these general guidelines should help.
The infinitive is a noun referring to the central event (so to speak) of the verb; the notional valency or voice can vary. Translations often include 'to', '-ing', '-ment', or the like. E.g., tag 'be arranged' > INF taga 'to arrange', 'to be arranged', 'arranging', 'being arranged', 'arrangement', etc.
The participles are nouns referring to people or things performing or experiencing the verb's action. In contrast to the (usually) ergative finite verb, participles are active and passive and don't correlate predictably with the finite verb's agent and patient. Distinctions between active/passive in participles include causing/experiencing, intentional/unintentional, and imperfect/perfect. E.g., thes 'lie' > AP 'one who lies down' or 'one who lays [something] down', PP 'one that is lying (has lain) down'.
In the etymology, I've generally glossed roots with the senses that lead to the derivatives in question. (E.g., though in- is most often rendered 'down', iŋcit 'be inflected' is given the etymology in-cit 'in.order-be.split'.) I've assumed that the dictionary user is familiar with normal Heláin sandhi, fronting, etc. (see RGLH II 'Phonology' for the rules). δ1-6 refer to historical sound changes (1-4 complete, 5-6 beginning to appear; V=vowel, C=consonant, X=either):
δ1 hw/u/[lrnŋm]_
δ2 v//V_V and then vv/v
δ3 ai[lrnŋm]/a[lrnŋm]2
δ4 [ei]//C[ei][lrn]_[lrn] and [ei]//C_[lrn][ei]X
δ5 Where 2+ syllables precede stressed penult/antepenult, short vowel drops out of syllable before stress; then C//_sC
δ6 After stressed antepenult, short vowel drops out of penult; then C//_sC
In addition to standard CWS grammar forms, I use these abbreviations throughout the dictionary:
AP active participle
PP passive participle
TP third participle (of varying voice)
usu. usually
δ historical sound change (see 'Etymology' above)
The romanisation in the dictionary is slightly simplified. I've given the letter ye always as ye (or y before vowels); however, it should be ie between consonants (e.g., fiel, arien, andariel, etc.). Also, when words have unpredictable stress, I've marked it in the citation form only; however, the stress should generally stay on that syllable in inflected forms as well (e.g., VOC/ABS ledái, REFL ledaian, GEN ledás, OBL ledáis).
To find English definitions, search the 'notes' section instead of wordlinks. Keep in mind that a verb might be translated as passive (e.g., if you want 'seek', also try 'sought', which will give you din 'be sought').
Under some circumstances, a back vowel in a verb stem becomes a nearby front vowel (usu. a/o > e, u > i). Someday I may include fronted stems in the dictionary, but for now, if something isn't appearing, try switching the vowels. ✎ Edit Article ✖ Delete Article
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