The International Auxiliary Language Esperanto Part 60

274. Suffixes -CJ- and -NJ-. (Ex. 23.)

(_a_). _-CJ-_ is an affectionate diminutive to the Christian name of a man. It is placed after any letter of the name not later than the fifth (occasionally, the sixth).

Examples.--_Vilhelmo_ = William, _Vilhelcjo_ = Willie, _Vilhecjo_ = Will, _Vilcjo_ = Billy, _Vicjo_ = Bill. _Petro_ = Peter, _Pecjo_ = Pete. _Johano_ = John, _Johancjo_ = Johnnie, _Jocjo_ = Jack.

_Nikolao_ = Nicholas, _Nikolcjo_ = Nickie, _Nikocjo_, _Nikcjo_, or _Nicjo_ = Nick. _Ernesto_ = Ernest, _Ernecjo_, _Erncjo_, or _Ercjo_ = Ernie. _Patro_ = father, _patreto_, _pacjo_ = papa.

(_b_). _-NJ-_ is a similar diminutive for a female Christian name.

Examples.--_Mario_ = Mary, _Marinjo_ = Molly, _Manjo_ = Polly.

_Klaro_ = Clara, _Klanjo_ = Clarrie. _Sofio_ = Sophia, _Sonjo_ = Sophy. _Patrineto_, _patrinjo_, _panjo_ = mamma, mammy, ma.

275. Suffixes -EBL-, -EM-, -IND-. (Ex. 24.)

(_a_). These three suffixes, when used as roots, form the words ebla = _possible_; emo = _propensity_, _tendency_; indo = _worth_, _merit_, _value_. As suffixes they are mostly used to form adjectives or adverbs, and the following three, from kredi = _to believe_, will give an idea of their different shades of meaning.

Kredebla = _credible_, _possible of belief_, _believable_; kredema = _credulous_, _having a tendency to believe_; kredinda = _worthy of belief_.

(_b_). _-EBL-_ denotes possibility, or what is likely to happen, similar to the English suffix -able, -ible.

Examples.--_Pagi_ = to pay, _pagebla_ = payable. _Fleksi_ = to bend, _fleksebla_ = flexible. _Rompi_ = to break, _rompebla_ = breakable.

_Fidi_ = to rely upon, _fidebla_ = reliable. _Kompreni_ = to understand, _komprenebla_ = comprehensible, _kompreneble_ = of course, comprehensibly.

(_c_). Do not confuse _-EBL-_ with _-EM-_ or _-IND-_ in words which in English end in -able or -ible, but have two distinct meanings.

For instance, "readable" may mean either "able to be read" or "worth reading." In Esperanto there is no such confusion, for legebla = _readable_, _legible_, but leginda = _readable_, _worth reading_.

Hence we see that _-EBL-_ must always denote possibility. It is possible to love or to honour all persons, whether they merit this or not; but when, in English, we talk of a lovable or honourable individual, we imply not possibility, but worthiness; therefore, in Esperanto, aminda = _lovable_, and honorinda = _honourable_.

_-EBL-_ is sometimes used for the infinitive.

Examples.--_Tiuj ci vortoj ne estas troveblaj en la vortaro_ = These words are not to be found (findable) in the dictionary. _Tia amo estas malfacile imagebla_ = It is difficult to imagine such love.

(_d_). _-EM-_ denotes propensity, tendency, inclination, disposition, similar to the English suffix, -ful.

Examples.--_Paco_ = peace, _pacema_ = peaceful. _Helpi_ = to help, _helpema_ = helpful, obliging. _Trompi_ = to deceive, _trompema_ = deceitful, _trompemo_ = duplicity. _Servi_ = to serve, _servema_ = obliging, _servemo_ = inclination to serve. _Labori_ = to work, _laborema_ = laborious. _Pura_ = clean, pure, _purema_ = cleanly, _purigebla_ = cleanable. _Babili_ = to chatter, _babilema_ = talkative, chattering. _Koleri_ = to be angry, _kolerema_ = irascible, _ekkolerema_ = quick-tempered. _Dormi_ = to sleep, _dormema_ = disposed to sleep, sleepy, drowsy.

(_e_). Do not confuse _-EM-_ with _-IND-_ (or with _-AM-_ (love) in compound words). For instance:--

_Envii_ = to envy, _enviema_ = envious, inclined to envy, _enviinda_ = enviable, worthy or deserving of envy. _Honti_ = to be ashamed, _hontema_ = bashful, inclined to be ashamed, _hontemo_ = bashfulness, _hontinda_ = shameful, deserving of shame, impudent. _Dormi_ = to sleep, _dormema_ = drowsy, _dormama_ = fond of sleep.

(_f_). _-IND-_ denotes worthiness, worthy of.

Examples.--_Inda_ = worthy, _malinda_ = unworthy. _Laudi_ = to praise, _laudinda_ = praiseworthy. _Memori_ = to remember, _memorinda_ = memorable, worthy of being remembered. _Estimi_ = to esteem, _estiminda_ = esteemable, or estimable. If we use "estimable"

in the sense of "able to be valued," we must form the word from _taksi_ = to estimate, to value, _taksebla_ = estimable, appraisable.

276. Suffix -EDZ-. (Exs. 25, 34.)

_-EDZ-_ denotes a married person, and can scarcely be called a suffix, although cla.s.sed as such, since it is generally used as a root.

Examples.--_Edzo_ = a husband, a married man, _edzino_ = a wife, a married woman, _edzeco_ = matrimony, a state of marriage, _edzigo_ = a wedding, nuptials, _edziga_ = nuptial, _geedzoj_ = a married couple, husband and wife.

When reference is made to a woman, the feminine suffix _-IN-_ is added to verbs as well as nouns and adjectives.

Examples.--_Doktoredzino_ = a doctor's wife; _kudristinedzo_ = a seamstress's husband; _laboristedzino_ = a labourer's wife; _lavistinedzo_ = a washerwoman's husband; _tajloredzino_ = a tailor's wife; _edzigi_ (trans.) = to marry a couple, or to marry (a man to a woman), _edzinigi_ (trans.) = to marry a woman to a man; _edzigi_ (intrans.) = to get (to be) married (man), _edzinigi_ (intrans.) = to get (to be) married (woman). Note the following sentences:--_Li edzigis kun sia kuzino, kvankam liaj gepatroj volis edzigi lin kun alia sinjorino_ = He was married to (with) his cousin, although his parents wished to marry him to (with) another lady. _Si edzinigis kun sia kuzo, kvankam siaj gepatroj volis edzinigi sin kun alia sinjoro_ = She was married to her cousin, although her parents wished to marry her to another gentleman.

277. Suffixes -EG- and -ET-. (Ex. 26.)

(_a_). These two suffixes are opposites, _-EG-_ denoting augmentation, and _-ET-_ diminution of degree. When employed in adjectives, the adverb "very" is often loosely used to denote the degree, as:--Grandega (_very large_), malgrandega (_very little_), but a better translation of these words is grandega = _huge_, _enormous_; malgrandega = _tiny_ (see remarks on degrees of intensity of adjectives, par. 114). If we cannot find English adjectives as equivalents of _-EG-_ or _-ET-_, we should use not the adverb "very," but a stronger term, as "excessively,"

"enormously," etc.

(_b_). In the case of nouns we must be careful to use the right words to express the English meaning.

Examples.--_Montego_ = a huge mountain, _granda monto_ = a big mountain, _monto_ = a mountain, _malgranda monto_ = a small mountain, _monteto_ = a hill, _altajo_ = an eminence, _altajeto_ = a hillock.

Again:--_Riverego_ = a huge river, _larga rivero_ = a wide river, _rivero_ = a river, _malgranda rivero_ = a small river, _rivereto_ = a brook, stream, _malgranda rivereto_ = a streamlet.

(_c_). _-EG-_ denotes augmentation, intensity of degree. Used as a root, ega = _intense_, egeco = _intensity_.

(_d_). _-ET-_ denotes diminution of degree. Equivalent to the English suffixes -let in "streamlet," -ule in "globule," "pustule." Used as a root, eta = _little_, _tiny_, etulo = _a little one_.

Examples.--_Pluvo_ = rain, _pluvego_ = a downpour, _pluveto_ = a shower. _Ridi_ = to laugh, _ridegi_ = to guffaw, _rideti_ = to smile.

_Plori_ = to shed tears, _ploregi_ = to weep bitterly, _ploreti_ = to whimper. _Dormi_ = to sleep, _dormegi_ = to sleep heavily, _dormeti_ = to doze, _dormeto_ = a nap. _Domo_ = a house, _domego_ = a mansion, _dometo_ = a cottage. _Snuro_ = cord, _snurego_ = rope, cable, _snureto_ = string, twine. _Ami_ = to love, _amegi_ = to idolize, _ameti_ = to have some liking for.

N.B.--From the above we see that _-EG-_ and _-ET-_ may generally be translated by distinct words, and are not merely a subst.i.tute for adverbs, which will often more accurately express the meaning than the added suffix.

278. Suffixes -EJ-, -ING-, -UJ-. (Ex. 27.)

These suffixes are akin, since they denote either a place or thing from which the idea of the root is produced, or in which it is contained.

(_a_). _-EJ-_ denotes the place of, used for, or allotted to, the idea contained in the root. As a root, ejo = _a place_, _a locality_.

Examples.--_Safo_ = a sheep, _safejo_ = a sheepfold, or a place specially used for sheep. _Pregi_ = to pray, _pregejo_ = a church, a place allotted to prayer. _Fruktarbo_ = a fruit-tree, _fruktarbejo_ = an orchard, a place used for fruit trees. _Kafo_ = coffee, _kafejo_ = a cafe. _Vinbero_ = a grape, _vinberejo_ = a vineyard. _Armilo_ = a weapon, _armilejo_ = an armoury. _Tombo_ = a tomb, grave, _tombejo_ = a cemetery. _Mangi_ = to eat, _mangejo_ = a refectory, _mangajo_ = food, _mangajejo_ = a larder. _Planti_ = to plant, _plantejo_ = nursery. _Mallibera_ = captive, _malliberejo_ = a prison. _Bovino_ = a cow, _bovinejo_ = cowshed. _Lerni_ = to learn, _lernejo_ = a school. _Jugi_ = to judge, _jugejo_ = a court of justice. _Dormi_ = to sleep, _dormejo_ = a dormitory. _Herbo_ = gra.s.s, _herbejo_ = a meadow, a field. _Paperfari_ = to make paper, _paperfarejo_ = a paper manufactory.

(_b_) _-ING-_ denotes a thing for holding one object only. Used as a root, ingo = _a socket_, _a sheath_, _a holder_.

Examples.--_Kandelo_ = a candle, _kandelingo_ = a candlestick.

_Plumo_ = a pen, _plumingo_ = a penholder. _Fingro_ = a finger, _fingringo_ = a thimble. _Cigaredo_ = a cigarette, _cigaredingo_ = a cigarette mouthpiece. _Glavo_ = a sword, _glavingo_ = scabbard, sheath (sword). _Bajoneto_ = bayonet, _bayonetingo_ = a scabbard (bayonet).

(_c_). _-UJ-_ denotes that which contains, produces, encloses, or bears. Used as a root, ujo = _a receptacle_, _a container_. It has a wide signification, for it can be used for:--

(1). The names of countries in cases where the root-word denotes the inhabitant, as being the places which contain their various races.

Examples.--_Franco_ = a Frenchman, _Francujo_ = France. _Turko_ = a Turk, _Turkujo_ = Turkey. _Anglo_ = an Englishman, _Anglujo_ = England. _Germano_ = a German, _Germanujo_ = Germany. _Italo_ = an Italian, _Italujo_ = Italy. _Brito_ = a Briton, _Granda Britujo_ = Great Britain. _Hispano_ = a Spaniard, _Hispanujo_ = Spain.

N.B.--_Lando_ can be used instead of -_ujo_, if desired.

Where the root-word denotes not the inhabitant, but the country, uj is of course not used, e.g., Australio, Nederlando, Usono. In these cases the name of the inhabitant is formed by an from that of the country, thus: australiano. See par. 272 (_a_).

(2). The names of trees producing fruits.

Examples.--_Pruno_ = a plum, _prunujo_ = a plum-tree. _Kastano_ = a chestnut, _kastanujo_ = a chestnut-tree. _Piro_ = a pear, _pirujo_ = a pear-tree. _Migdalo_ = an almond, _migdalujo_ = an almond-tree.

_Moruso_ = a mulberry, _morusujo_ = a mulberry-tree. _Cerizo_ = a cherry, _cerizujo_ = a cherry-tree.

_Arbo_ can be used instead of _ujo_ in such cases, and is preferable, because clearer, thus: _prunarbo_, _cerizarbo_.