Kardii Grammar (Part 1)

Verbs

Putting '-che' at the end of a word changes it to its verb function, 'alari' (an opening) Vs. 'alariche' (to open).

There are three other variants of '-che'. These are '-ke', '-jje' and '-se'. These will be discussed later.

There are two words in Kardii that do not use the '-che' suffix. These are 'ty' (to be) and haaket (to become). These words still use the '-se', '-ke' and '-jje' variants.

The 'i' marker

The 'i' marker is used to enclose words or phrases which directly modify a verb and is placed before the object of a sentence, 'an dteenache karna i Svani.' (they begin travelling to Svani). In situations where the verb modifier cannot easily be confused with the object (eg. in cases where the modifier cannot function as a noun), the 'i' marker may be dropped, 'iru shaavche kso sh'te' (he often comes home).

Tense

To indicate tense in Kardii, change the verb suffix. '-cha' and '-sa' are the past tense forms of '-che and '-se', '-chii' and '-sii' are the future tense forms of '-che' and '-se', 'dtayche' (runs) Vs. 'dtaycha' (ran) Vs. 'dtaychii' (will run).

'ty' - To Be

The word 'ty' means 'is' or 'to be' and is used to join two nouns, 'iru ty rendi' (he is a friend). When joining a noun and an adjective, no verb is used, 'sy eniv' (it is tall). In sentences containing the words 'ty' or 'haaket' (to become), and in sentences with no verb, tense is indicated by placing the word 'cha' (for past tense) or 'chii' (for future tense) at the end of the sentence, 'iru ty rendi cha' (he was a friend), 'sy eniv chii' (it will be tall).

'ty' + a Sentence

The word 'ty', when followed by a sentence, means 'it is ~ that...', 'vikii ty kidi sas ty rendi ay' (it is good that you two are friends again).

'inva' - To Have

When forming a sentence using a noun plus an adjective, an alternative form uses the verb 'inva' (to have), 'ki invache kaha min ty naysi istani ksoi' (if you are quick, there may be some left). This form may be used when distinctions need to be made using a verb, such as forming an imperative, 'invake tah!' (be kind!). Such an imperative contains no reference to the object's current state, 'invake karra' (be quiet) does not imply that the person is currently being noisy, whereas the imperative 'karrake' does.

Note that this use of 'inva' only works with the class of words known as 'common modifiers', that is, words whose noun function is the '-ness' form of their modifier function, 'may' - (as a noun) happiness, (as a modifier) happy, (as a verb) to become happy, to make happy.

Negation

A Kardii word can be negated by placing the word 'tuii' after it, 'n'te'idu tuii' (not a diamond). A sentence is negated by negating the verb, 'an rruhi'iiche tuii rrutashiil' (they do not listen to the story).

Note: The word 'tuii' has an unusual pronunciation - the 'u' is silent.

Questions

A Kardii question is indicated by a rising tone of voice at the end of the sentence or by using a question word in the sentence, 'ki iramache la?' (what do you search for?).

In written Kardii, a closed (Yes or No) question is indicated by using the word 'kay' at the beginning of the sentence, 'Is it blue?: 'sy vree?' (spoken) Vs. 'kay sy vree?' (written).

Question Words

Lache

The word 'la ('what?') can also be used as a verb, 'seren lache?' (what is the dog doing?). While this verb generally means 'to do what?', it can also mean 'what is happening?', 'prast a lacha?' (what has happened here?). 'Lache' is often used when someone is confused by the situation at hand, 'lache?' (what's going on?).

Yes and No

Kardii has three words for 'yes', each of which has a corresponding phrase for 'no'. The word for 'no' is simply the word for 'yes' with the negative particle 'tuii' placed after it.

Imperative

A request for something to occur is made by replacing '-che' with '-jje', 'kishjje iisa' (please fill the basket).

To give an order, replace '-che' with '-ke', 'kishke iisa' (fill the basket).

Tense

These imperative endings can also be inflected for the future tense (becoming '-kii' and '-jjii'), 'svudi rin dava aysa a, shatokii ksaniba i pa' (in three days time, meet me at the market).

Pronouns

Personal Pronouns

There are eight personal pronouns used in Kardii. These are as follows:

Politeness When Addressing People

In polite or formal situations, a person can be addressed with third person pronouns, or their profession or title.

Note: A person's name and title are two different forms of address and are seldom used together.

Other Pronouns

Vin

Possesion

The word 'vin', in one of its many uses, translates as 'of, from, or belonging to'. It comes before a noun and both are positioned as a modifier, 'theriimi vin sh'ta' (the family's house).

Personal pronouns and proper nouns do not require 'vin' to become possessive. They are simply positioned as modifiers, 'daapedi pa' (my drum).

When 'vin' is used before a pronoun or proper noun, the meaning is 'is such-and-such's', or 'belongs to', 'ashdes lo vin ki' (this cup is yours).

Passive Voice

Another use of the word 'vin' is to change a verb from active to passive voice. This is done by placing 'vin' after the verb and its modifiers (i.e. after the 'i' marker), 'kseji miracha vin kathii' (the toy was found by the child).

Comparative Expressions

Yet another use of the word 'vin' is to compare one thing to another. A comparative expression consists of a modifier, a comparative word, 'vin' and the thing with which we are comparing, 'pa vikii ensii vin ki' (I am better than you).

Comparative Words