THIS IS A PRELIMINARY VERSION. It is not finished.

Introduction to the Grammar of Сеиру́ Ку́с

This language (CK, ck, or qck for short) is a constructed language with relatively simple grammar. In its current state, it has no gender (aside from the words for the genders themselves) and a fairly consistent grammar, so there are not many exceptions to memorise. The language's grammar relies often on consistent affixes (usually suffixes) and particles. The basic sentence structure is SOV, or Subject Object Verb, and that is usually fairly strict, unlike some other languages where you may be allowed to deviate from that order on some occasions. Before proceeding with this article, it is recommended that you have learned the alphabet and that you either know the more basic words or have the dictionary open so that you can practise the exercises. It is recommended that you go in order, although you can skip what you already know. The answers to the practice problems are at the end.

1. The Formation of a Basic Sentence

Although CK does not have such an extensive system of grammatical cases through the use of suffixes, some particles often are used to serve their purpose instead. For example, in the sentence "I see you", you would say "Шара́ма ша то́врю ги́шор". In this case, шара́ма means "I" (although it also works for "me"), то́врю means "you", and "ги́шор" means to see. Now, there is an additional word there. That word does not have an exact English translation. It marks the equivalent of the accusative case. The word ша is perhaps one of, if not the, most important word(s) in the ck language. It denotes that the word(s) that follow it are direct objects. That means that those words are what the action (the verb) is being done to. In English, there is no such word. The reason a word like that is important in CK is that without it, it could be confusing where the subject ends and the object starts. This short word fixes that problem. You can now form basic sentences.

Now try it. Translate the following sentences:

(a) I went to the palace. (hint: qck does not use the, it is simply omitted)

(b) I leave the country.

2. The Indirect Object

Additionally, you can specify an indirect object. To do so, use the жа particle. Like the ша particle, it applies to the words that come after it. It always goes after the direct object when the sentence has one. For example, in the sentence "I give you an ice cream", you would say "Шара́ма ша фа́шэтё жа то́врю рафо́ч". "фа́шэтё" is ice cream, and "рафо́ч" is to give. The "жа то́врю" part indicates that the ice cream is being given to the individual being spoken to.

Now try it. Translate the following sentences:

(a) Ри́никне ша на́валён жа то́врю во́строне.

(b) You give me a pickle.

3. Indicating Descriptions

Another useful grammatical particle is то. This one is for adding descriptions to nouns. It can also be used as a possessive. For example, instead of just saying "ри́ко", you can say "шара́ма то ри́ко" to specify that it's not just any pickle, but specifically your pickle. You can also add more information than simply possession. For example, you can say "шара́ма ги́шор то ри́ко", meaning "the pickle that I see".

Now try it. Translate the following sentences:

(a) Шара́ма ша товрю то пала́сё ги́шор.

(b) I give you the randomly selected pickle. (Note: "randomly selected" is прэ́звех)

Practice Problem Answers

1. The Formation of a Basic Sentence

a. Шара́ма ша пала́сё ро́э.

b. Шара́ма ша нето́и па́нгло.

2. The Indirect Object

a. They (singular) show you a belt.

b. То́врю ша ри́ко жа шара́ма рафо́ч.

3. Indicating Descriptions

a. I see your palace.

b. Шара́ма ша прэ́звех то ри́ко жа то́врю рафо́ч.