| 
  • If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.

View
 

Weak Declension

Page history last edited by David 14 years, 4 months ago
Weak Nominal Declension

The weak declension of nouns is nothing more than n-stem nominal formation. In principle it is no different from the formation of r-stems or nd-stems: the affix -Vn- intercedes between nominal root and endings, where V is some vowel. Just as brōþar 'brother' is inherently an r-stem noun (employing no other formations), likewise weak nouns are inherently weak, i.e. only n-stem. While adjectives may employ strong or weak declension according to contextual demands, a given noun by contrast employs only one declension at all times: a weak noun always declines weak, a strong noun always strong.

http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/lrc/eieol/gotol-4-X.html#Got04_GP16

 

an-jan-wan-stems

These nouns are typically masculine and neuter.

 

 

  SINGULAR   Zero-grade  
  masculine neuter masculine neuter
N -a -o -a -o
A -an -o -an -o
G -ins -ins -s -ins
D -in -in no affix -in
  PLURAL      
  masculine neuter    
N -ans -óna -s -nans  
A -ans -óna -s -nans  
G -ane -ane -(n)e -(n)e
D -am -am -(n)am -(n)e

The zero-grade formation of certain nouns generalized the n-stem. The Vn-affix is essentially zeroed out, leaving the 'n' of the affix plus the appropriate case suffix.

It only affects some an-stems.

 

ón-jón-wón-stems

All of these nouns are feminine.

 

  SINGULAR
N -o
A -ón
G -óns
D -ón
  PLURAL
N -óns
A -óns
G -óno
D -óm

 

in-stems

All of these nouns are feminine.

 

  SINGULAR
N -ei
A -ein
G -eins
D -ein
  PLURAL
N -eins
A -eins
G -eino
D -eim

 

Comments (0)

You don't have permission to comment on this page.