Mag. phil. A.Z. Ramstedt, Helsingfors.
Okzidental-Kursus in 10 Lektionen.
Occidental-Buró Berlin, 1929.
Thomas Schmidt, 2006. Available in interlingue.narod.ru and ie-munde.com.
Dave MacLeod, 2019. Title: Occidental Course in 10 Lessons (English translation). Available in cosmoglotta.pbworks.com (wiki) and drive.google.com (PDF format).
Marcos Cruz, 2019. Available in ne.alinome.net in EPUB, PDF and other formats.
All errors and typos found have been fixed.
In order to make the contents more legible in any format, the layout of tables, lists, notes, block quotes, etc. has been modified.
For easier consulting, vocabulary tables have been converted to alphabetic lists, and the notation has been homogenized.
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Note
The name of Interlingue was “Occidental” until 1949.
Interlingue is written with the 26 Latin letters:
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, i, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z.
The vowels have a continental pronunciation, as in German, Italian and Spanish, and are all sounded:
father
bed, yes
machine
door, hot
rule, pull
“y” is considered a vowel when 1) it’s not preceded by a vowel, or 2) it’s at the start of a word and not followed by a vowel. Elsewhere it’s a consonant. Its pronunciation as a vowel is as Interlingue “i”.
All unstressed vowels are short. Stressed vowels can be lengthened if they are not followed by a doubled consonant.
A strict rule on the long or short, closed or open pronunciation of the vowels does not exist. Pronunciations similar to German, Italian or Spanish are preferable.
The consonants are pronounced as in English, with the following exceptions:
When before “e” and “i” = [ts]: cive, helice. Elsewhere “c” is hard as in “can”.
[ʃ], English “sh”: chambre.
When before “e” and “i” = [ʒ], French “j”, or English “s” in “pleasure”: plage, giraffe. Elsewhere “g” is hard as in “go”.
[ʒ], French “j”, or English “s” in “pleasure”.
Between vowels = [z]: rose, positiv.
[s] as in “pass”.
When followed by “ia”, “io”, “iu”, or “ie” and not preceded by an “s” = [ts]: nation. Elsewhere as [t]: bastion.
[dz].
[ts].
Other doubled consonants are pronounced as a single consonant, unless when separated they would be pronounced differently. Ex. grammatica is pronounced as if written gramatica, but occidental and suggestion are pronounced as if written as “oc” followed by “cidental”, and “sug” followed by “gestion”.
Note
In the following examples, the regularly stressed vowel is shown in uppercase.
Words are generally stressed on the vowel before the final consonant: intercalAr, parOl, fOrme.
Pluralizing a noun does not change the stress: parOles, fOrmes.
The endings -bil, -ic, -im, -ul and -um do not change the stress (even when more than one is present in a single word), nor does the adverbial ending -men: rapIdmen, dUplic, bonIssim, sIngul, possIbil, mAximum, statIsticas.
Two vowels together are diphthongized and do not count as two syllables for the purpose of stress: famIlie, potEntie, unless the word is a single consonant or consonant cluster followed by two vowels: dIe, dEo. Compound words are stressed based on the last word in the compound: hodIe, substrAe.
In cases where the accent is irregular, it is indicated by an accent: café, ínpossibil, numeró, númere, felicitá.
The letters of the alphabet are pronounced as:
a, be, ce, de, e, ef, ge, ha, i, jot, ka, el, em, en, o, pe, qu, er, es, te, u, ve, duplic ve, ix, ypsilon, zet.
Noi have un grand international congress in li cité. Li nationes de Europa es representat per eminent cultural persones. Li centre del congress es in li palace del parlament. Elegant modern automobiles sta ante li portas e sur li stradas e plazzas. Li fassades es decorat per li national flaggas. Li flaggas del nordic landes have li cruce quam simbol. On vide delegationes de divers partes de Europa, de nord e sud, de ost e west. Un deputation visita li presidente del state in li grandiosi residentie contra li ópera. Special corespondentes fa observationes e scri articules por li redactiones de grand jurnales e telegrafa al burós de information.
In li grand sala del palace es li general convent. In li micri chambres li special comissiones e comités have secret conferenties. Nu li oficial programma comensa. Li borgomastre del cité saluta li congressantes. On electe un presidente. Du secretarios scri li protocolles. Un delegat del central states presenta un proposition pri li organisation del international trafic per aeroplanes. Li orator parla con fascinant eloquentie e li auditoria escuta con interesse e aplaude con entusiasme. Un polemic debatte comensa e it fini per un resolution in favor al propositor. On accepta li proposition e refusa li contrapropositiones.
In li vestibules e corridores sta gruppes de persones, famosi professores de universitás, rich directores de commercial firmas, energic secretarios de social e professional organisationes, e militares in gala-uniformes. Ili have portafolias con documentes e actes e discusse li actual situation e international aferes.
afere = affair
ante li portas = in front of the doors
cité = city
con = with
contra = against
cruce = cross
discusse = discuss
eloquentie = eloquence
escuta = listen
fa = do
famosi = famous
fascinant = fascinating
fini = finishes
grand = large
ili = they
letion = lesson
on vide = one sees
parla = talks
parte = part
per = through, by
por = for
portafolies = briefcases
propositor = proposer
quam = as
residentie = residence
sala = room
scri = write
sta = stand(s) (verbal form)
star = to stand
visita = visit(s) (verbal form)
visitar = to visit
unesim = first
Un yun monaco sede in un turre e observa interessat li sole tra un telescope. Per hasard il fa un sensational observation: it existe macules in li sole. Il hasta al prior del monastere e exclama:
“Patre, qui nu posse esser sin macules, nam mem li sole have macules.”
Ma li prior responde tranquilmen:
“Tu erra, mi filio. Yo ha leet Aristóteles multvez, de comensa til fine, e necú il mentiona pri macules in li sole. Tui ocules have macules, e ne li sole.”
esser = to be
exclama = exclaims
hasard = chance
hasta = rushes (lit. hastes)
macul = spot
mem = even
mentiona = mentions (verbal form)
mentionar = to mention
mi filio = my son
monastere = monastery
multvez = many times
nam = because
patre = father
responde = responds
sede = sits
tra = through
tranquilmen = tranquilly
tu erra = you err (=are wrong)
tui ocul = your eye
turre = tower
yo ha leet = I have read
yun monaco = young monk
Genie es un percent inspiration e ninant nin percent transpiration.
— Edison
Li humore es un del elementes del genie, ma, si it domina, solmen un surogat de it; it es li compane del diminuent arte e destructe, anihila it in fine.
— Goethe
Un bon comedie es plu durabil quam un sistema de filosofie.
— Hume
Grand artistes es li sol riches qui divide lor tot felicie con nos.
— Pauly
compane = companion
destructe = destroys (verbal form)
destructer = to destroy
diminuent = smaller, diminishing
divide = divide, share (verbal form)
divider = to divide, to share
domina = dominates
felicie = happiness, fortune
lor = their
nin = nine
ninant = ninety
nos = us
plu durabil = more durable
quam = than
si = if
sol = sole, only
tot = entire, whole
Reading the first lesson, we find that the majority of words in Interlingue are already long familiar to us. That is, the vocabulary in Interlingue is largely composed of already-existing international words, those that most countries in Europe (and of course countries in the Americas, in Australia, African countries with European languages, etc.) can already understand, and do not need to learn anew. These international words are, as we can see through these examples, used in an “unmutilated” form. But, — and this is what makes Interlingue unique — in the language they are not foreign loanwords, but entirely regularly composed and derived from international root words, that have been chosen in such a way that all these completely international and natural words come into being by themselves. This has never been achieved before in existing planned world languages.
The word-building system in Interlingue is in fact the same one that is found in international words, but as we will see later, can be easily learned and mastered with the help of a few rules.
But it’s not just the vocabulary of Interlingue that is natural and easy to learn; the grammar is also extremely easy thanks to its regularity.
un congress = a congress
un lampe = a lamp
li congress = the congress
li lampe = the lamp
There is no grammatical gender in Interlingue. Un is the indefinite article (a/an), and does not decline (change form).
Li is the definite article (the), which also does not decline.
genie = genius
genies = geniuses
congress = congress
congresses = congresses
lampe = lamp
lampes = lamps
suc = juice
sucs = juices
dictionarium = dictionary
dictionariums = dictionaries
Plural is formed with an -s, -es after a consonant. Some consonant endings such as “g”, “um”, “c” only add an -s for phonetic reasons.
de un congress = of a congress
a un congress = to a congress
del congress = of the congress
al congress = to the congress
For the definite article (the), a + li is abbreviated to al and de + il to del.
un modern automobil = a modern automobile
du modern automobiles = two modern automobiles
Adjectives in Interlingue do not decline for gender, number or case.
While verbs in English conjugate depending on the person and number, they do not in Interlingue.
yo have |
I have |
yo es |
I am |
tu have |
you have |
tu es |
you are |
il have |
he has |
il es |
he is |
ella have |
she has |
essa es |
she is |
it have |
it has |
it es |
it es |
noi have |
we have |
noi es |
we are |
vu have |
you (plural) have |
vu es |
you are |
Vu have |
you (polite) have |
Vu es |
you are |
ili have |
they have |
ili es |
they are |
on have |
one has |
on es |
one is |
Un yun mann promena sur li trottuore de un strada e observa li vive. Il incontra un amíco, quel saluta le e strax comensa questionar:
“Bon die, mi amíco. Quo Vu fa nu?”
“Yo promena.”
“Quo Vu ha fat hodie? Yo ne ha videt Vos ante nu.”
“Yo ha laborat.”
“Quo Vu fat yer?”
“Yo esset in hem e reposat.”
“Quo Vu hat fat anteyer, si Vu esset yer tam fatigat?”
“Yo hat laborat li tot die e nocte.”
“Quo Vu va far deman?”
“Yo va scrir un long articul por un jurnal, e yo espera, que yo va har scrit it til fine posdeman.”
“Mey Vu haver success in Vor interprense! Ma it vell esser interessant saver, pri quo Vu va scrir e por qui Vu va scrir.”
“Ci noi ne posse star plu. Noi deve ear.”
“Lass nos visitar un café! Ta noi posse seder e trincar un glass de bir e parlar. O si Vu vole, café o té. Ples venir con me!”
“Mersí pro Vor invitation! Ma ples pardonar: pro quo Vu vole saver quo yo fa, e pri quo e por qui yo scri?”
“Pro que un yun mann deve saver omnicos.”
Note
hodie as a combination of ho- + die is stressed as hodíe, and omnicos as a combination of omni (all) + cose (thing) is stressed as omnicós. They may be also written as hodíe and omnicós.
amíco = friend
ante nu = before now
bon die = good day
ci = here
deman = tomorrow
dever = to must
duesim = second
ear = to go
esperar = to hope
fatigar = to tire
hodie = today
interprense = endeavour
laborar = to work
le = him
mersí = thanks
ne = not
nocte = night
o = or
omnicos = everything
plu = more
por qui = for who(m)
por = for
posdeman = the day after tomorrow
pri quo = about what
pro que = because (“due to that…”)
pro quo = why (“due to what”)
pro = due to
promena = strolls (cf. promenade)
que = that (as in “I hope that…”)
questionar = to question, to ask
quo = what
reposar = to repose, to rest
saver = to know
strax = right away
ta = there
tam = so
trottuore = sidewalk
venir = to come
vive = life
voler = to want
Vor = your (polite form)
Vos = you (object)
yer = yesterday
Un furtard veni a un prestro por confesser su mult peccas e reciver pardon e absolution. Li prestro sede in su stul e escuta benevolent, durant que li furtard raconta le pri su trics.
“Quo tu ha fat, mi filio?” questiona li prestro. – In li sam moment li furtard vide, que li prestro porta un fin aurin horloge in un tasca de su gilete. Il prende it sin que li prestro remarca to.
“Yo furte,” li furtard responde.
“Talmen tu ne deve dir. Ples dir, yo ha furtet!” – Nu li furtard ja ha deposit li horloge in su tasca.
“Yo ha furtet,” il confirma.
“Yes, bon, mi filio. Nu tu deve retornar to quo tu ha furtet.”
“Esque Vu ne vole haver it?”
“No, tu deve dar it al possessor.”
“Li possessor ne vole haver it.”
“In tal casu, ples departer in pace. Tui peccas es pardonat.”
aurin = golden
casu = case (circumstance)
confesser = to confess
confirmar = to confirm
dar = to give
deposir = to put in, to deposit
dir = to say
durant que = while
esque = (used to ask questions)
fin = fine
furtard = thief
furter = to steal
gilete = vest
horloge = watch (wristwatch)
mult = much
pace = peace
pecca = sin
portar = to carry
possessor = owner (possessor)
prender = to take
prestro = priest
racontar = to tell
reciver = to receive
remarcar to = notice it
retornar = to return
sam = same
su = his, hers, its
tal = such a
talmen = thus, in that way
tasca = pocket
to = it, that
tui = your (informal)
Li persian legates postulat del Spartanes terra e aqua quam signe de subjugation. Li Spartanes jettat les in un profund bronn: “Ta vu have terra e aqua.”
Zeno, li filosofo, dit a un querellant yun mann: “Li natura ha dat nos du oreles e un bocca, por que noi mey escutar mult e parlar poc.”
“Si yo va venir a Laconia, yo va extinter omnicos e omnihom per foy e gladie,” scrit Philippos, li rey de Macedonia, al Spartanes. “Si,” respondet li Spartanes.
Un asiatic potentate esset questionat, quel esset su opinion pri li vin. Il respondet: “It es un fluide, quel es extraet de lingues de féminas e cordies de leones, pro que, quande yo ha trincat vin, yo posse parlar sin cessar e combatter mem li diábol.”
bocca = mouth
cessar = to stop
combatter = to combat
cordie = heart
diábol = devil
extinter = to extinguish
fluide = fluid
foy = fire
fémina = woman
gladie = sword
jettar = to throw, to toss
leon = lion
omnihom = everyone
orel = ear
poc = little
por que = in order to (“for that…”)
postular = to demand
profund = deep
quel = which
querellar = to quarrel
terra e aqua = earth and water
vin = wine
Mannes fa domes, ma féminas fa hemes.
Li infante es li patre del mann.
Plu vu studia, plu vu trova, que vu save necos.
Aure dat por sanitá, ne es dat in vanitá.
On ne posse seder sur du stules.
Errar es homan, pardonar divin.
Parlar es plu facil quam far.
Quande li fox predica tolerantie, ples gardar vor ganses.
Sur un rulant petre moss ne cresce.
Li morites governa li viventes.
Bon comensat es demí parat.
Que sempre es comensant, nequande es finient.
Mult homes es vocat, ma poc homes es electet.
Li sapon es li mesura de bon-esser e cultura del state.
aure = gold
crescer = to grow
divin = divine
dom = house
du = two
facil = easy
gardar = to guard
hem = home
hom = person
homan = human
in vanitá = in vain
infante = infant, child
morir = to die
necos = nothing
nequande = never
parat = done
petre = stone
predicar = to preach
proverbie = proverb
quande = when
rular = to roll
sanitá = health
sapon = soap
sempre = always
trovar = to find
vocar = to call
Verbs in Interlingue are all regular (except for the verb “to be” (esser) which is written es in the present). There is only one conjugation with four forms. Taking the verbal stem ama- (love) as an example we have the following four forms: ama, amar, amant, amat.
ama has the following uses:
Active present indicative (regular present form): yo ama = I love, il ama = he loves, vu ama = you love, etc.
Active present conjunctive: Il di que il ama = He says that he loves.
Imperative: ama! = love!, veni! = come!
amar is the infinitive. amar = to love, venir = to come, presser = to press.
amant is the active participle (English “-ing”). amant = loving, venient = coming, pressent = pressing.
amat has the following uses:
Perfect participle (i.e. an adjective): amat = loved, venit = come, presset = pressed. Li amat patria = the (be)loved homeland.
Active indicative preterite (i.e. past tense): yo amat = I loved, tu amat = you loved, il amat = he loved, noi amat = we loved, ili amat su patria = they loved their homeland, etc.
The other forms are created with the help of auxiliary verbs.
Perfect |
yo ha amat |
I have loved |
Pluperfect |
yo hat amat |
I had loved |
Future 1 |
yo va amar |
I will love |
Future 2 |
yo va har amat |
I will have loved |
Optative |
yo mey amar |
I may love |
Conditional |
yo vell amar |
I would love |
Precative |
ples amar! |
please love! |
Hortative |
lass nos amar! |
let us love! |
Perfect infinitive |
har amat |
to have loved |
Future infinitive |
va amar |
to will love |
Perfect participle |
hant amat |
having loved |
Future participle |
hant amar |
having to love |
har resembles haver (to have) but is used for verb conjugation, while haver only refers to the verb “to have”:
Yo ha venit. = I have come.
Il ha esset. = He has been.
Noi hat curret. = We had run.
Il hat cadet. = He had fallen.
Ples in ples amar adds politeness to the imperative, in the same way as the English “please”:
Ples venir! = Please come!
Veni! = Come!
Present |
yo es amat |
I am loved |
Preterite |
yo esset amat |
I was loved |
Perfect |
yo ha esset amat |
I have been loved |
Pluperfect |
yo hat esset amat |
I had been loved |
Future 1 |
yo va esser amat |
I will be loved |
Optative |
yo mey esser amat |
may I be loved |
Conditional |
yo vell esser amat |
I would be loved |
Present infinitive |
esser amat |
to be loved |
Perfect infinitive |
har esset amat |
having been loved |
Present participle |
essent amat |
being loved |
Using the verb ear (to go) adds a sense of continuation (the construction is going on):
Li dom ea constructet. = The house is being built.
Li libre eat printat. = The book was being printed.
Using the verb star (to stand) adds a sense of finality (the construction “stands” built):
Li dom sta constructet. = The house is built.
Li libre stat printat. = The book was printed (the book’s printing was all done).
Using se after a verb to make it passive or reflexive (to make it refer to itself):
Li jurnal printa se rapidmen. = The magazine is being quickly printed (the magazine “prints itself” quickly).
Li cose explica se simplicmen. = It’s easy to understand (“the thing explains itself simply”).
Yo nómina le Brian. = I call him Brian.
Il nómina se Brian. = His name is Brian (“he calls himself Brian”).
Adding se to a verb may also give a sense similar to that in English:
Yo procurat un libre. = I got a book.
Yo procurat me un libre. = I got myself (me) a book.
Present |
il es laborant |
he is working |
Preterite |
il esset laborant |
he was working |
Perfect |
il ha esset laborant |
he has been working |
The progressive form is used much less often than in English, and is used to stress the fact that the action is ongoing.
Il esset laborant quande yo intrat. = He was working when I entered.
It works as an adjective in the same way as in English:
It va esser un tre fatigant annu. = It will be a very tiring year (from fatigar, “to tire”).
In li Bible sta scrit, que Deo ha creat li munde.
Pro to il es nominat li creator del munde.
Li creation durat six dies.
Noi ne have creatori qualitás, solmen Deo es vermen creativ.
Quo il ha creat? Nos e omni altri creaturas.
altri = other
crear = to create
creatori = “creator-y”
Deo = God
durar = to last
munde = world
nominar = to name
qualitá = quality
triesim = third
vermen = truly
Mi fratre have un amíco, un ingeniero, qui ha fat un brilliant carriera. Ja quam yun studente su aspirationes evocat atention. Pos obligatori teoretic studies in un technical institute e practic preparatori labores in un micri fabrica, in quel il laborat quam reparator de electric motores e transformatores, il recivet un transitori ocupation quam supervisor del machines in un grand industrial interprense. Mersí a su intensiv labor e su extraordinari organisatori talentes il avansat gradualmen, de position a position, e nu il es executiv director de un association de industries in li sam branche.
Su precessores esset in oposition a innovationes, ma quam successor de ti conservativ administratores il devet interprender mult reformationes e un total reorganisation del administration. Li production e vendition del productes e fabricates crescet enorm in comparation a to, quo ili esset ante il. Il ha prendet parte in mult negociationes con extran states, e li resultate ha esset plu e plu extensiv, comercial transactiones de exportationes e concessiones in exotic landes.
Difamatori lingues di, que il es un poc imperatori, ma to es exageration. Quande il ha decidet un afere, il es firm in su decision, ne tolera contradition e intervention, e pro to il have success in su interprenses. Tal qualificationes es anc absolutmen necessi a decisiv por un mann in su position.
Il es inventor de mult patentat aparates, queles es ancor in su exclusiv possession. Quam possessor de grand capitales, il ha fat mult donationes in favor a cultural institutiones, e pro to il have li reputation de un grand donator e favorisator del scienties e artes.
anc = also
conceder = to concede
difamar = to speak ill of (cf. defamation)
donar = to give, to donate
evocar = to evoke
exagerar = to exaggerate
extender = to extend
extran = outside, abroad
fratre = brother
gradualmen = gradually
imperar = to order (cf. imperative)
innovar = to innovate
intervenir = to intervene (lit. “between-come”)
ja = already
necessi = necessary
negociar = to negotiate
preceder = to precede
quande = when
succeder = to succeed (to follow)
transacter = to transact
transitori = transitory
vendir = to sell
It existe témpores, quande li filosofic speculation sembla haltar in total o partial resignation ante li grand problemas del vive, quande ne solmen definitiv ma anc provisori responses al eterni questiones sembla van. It concentra se a examination e inregistration de ti resultates, queles li exploratores e laboratores del special scienties presenta. It es periodes, quande li homan pensa fa quasi un sorte de guerre de position contra li eterni problemas, un guerre de position, quel postula mult devot perlaboration de detallies e penetrativ analise.
Ma it existe anc témpores, quande li pensa abandona su timid, defensiv position, marcha adavan e fa un general atacca. It es tal témpores, pri queles Hegel ha dit, que “li universal spíritu fa un choc adavan.” Con egal justification on posse nominar les témpores de productiv erras. Tal periodes seque successiv un pos altri, in ritmic fluctuation quam sómmites e valleyes de undes.
Pos li potent flut del Renascentie, quel in fin manifestat se in li grand sistemas, sequet li rationalisme del enciclopedistes e lor imitatores. Ti rationalisme havet su culmination e su coronation, ma anc su contra-evolution in Kant, li titane del filosofie. Pos il sequet li romantica, con nov gigantic constructiones de sistemas.
E denove, pos li romantica, li filosofie devet retirar a su positiones. Li positivisme detronat li filosofie in favor al special scienties. Li materialisme devenit li successor de ti sublim, genuin idealistic spíritu, quel, malgré omni fantastic misprenses, esset li directiv factor del romantica. Li special scienties fa nov e nov decovritiones, ma nor spiritual horizonte deveni plu strett.
E nu, esque li signes de nor propri témpore ne da nos indicationes pri un nov era de filosofic speculation, un nov romantica e idealisme, támen con plu critic reflection quam li antiqui? Li munde fórsan ne es ancor tam senil, quam li profetes de fatiga vole far nos creder.
abandonar = to abandon
adavan = forwards
choc = shock
coronar = to crown
creder = to believe
culminar = to culminate
defender = to defend
detronar = to dethrone
devenir = to become
devot = devoted
erra = error
eterni = eternal
evoluer = to evolve
explorar = to explore
fatiga = fatigue
fluctuar = to fluctuate
fórsan = perhaps
guerre = war
imitar = to imitate
indicar = to indicate
justificar = to justify
les = them
malgré = despite
misprense = misunderstanding
nor = our
omni = all
penetrar = to penetrate
pensa = thought
pos = after
propri = own (one’s own)
Renascentie = Renaissance
retirar = to retire
semblar = to seem
senil = senile
sequer = to follow
spíritu = spirit
strett = narrow
sómmite = summit
ti = this, that
támen = however
témpore = time
unde = wave
van = in vain
Note
omni before a singular means “each” (same as chascun), while before a plural it means “all”.
On questionat li filosof Aristippos de Kyrene, per quo li filosofos distinte se del altri homes. Il respondet: “Si omni leges vell esser abrogat, solmen li filosofos vell viver quam antey.”
Alquí objectet que on frequent incontra li filosofos avan li portas del riches. Aristippos replicat: “Sam quam li medicos avan li portas del malades. Esque pro to li malades es plu reputat quam li medicos?”
“Moné,” il declarat, “yo prende del riches ne pro que yo besona it, ma por que ili mey saver in quel maniere ili posse investir it.”
abrogar = to abrogate, to repeal
alquí = someone
antey = before
avan = before
besonar = to need
distinter = to distinguish
in quel maniere = in which way
lege = law
malad = sick
medico = doctor
moné = money
objecter = to object
per quo = by what
plu reputat = more reputed
porta = door
pro to = that’s why
replicar = to reply
sam quam = same as
viver = to live
We have just seen a large number of expressive international words that end with these five suffixes. Note that these words in Interlingue are regularly derived from verbs.
The words with -ion, -or, -ori, -iv and -ura are created with the perfect stem of the verb. But dictionaries only give the infinitive of a verb. How do you find the perfect stem? This is where we come to the de Wahl’s Rule.
First remove the -r from a verb, or -er for an -er verb. What is at the end?
If it’s a vowel, then add a “t”:
Infinitive | Perfect stem | Derived word |
---|---|---|
decora/r, decorate |
decorat- |
decoration |
defini/r, define |
definit- |
definition |
le/er, read |
let- |
letion, reading/lesson |
devo/er, to devote |
devot- |
devotion |
institu/er, to institute |
institut- |
institution |
If it’s a “d” or an “r”, then it becomes “s”:
Infinitive | Perfect stem | Derived word |
---|---|---|
explod/er, to explode |
explos- |
explosion |
adher/er, to adhere |
adhes- |
adhesion |
decid/er, to decide |
decis- |
decision |
If it’s a consonant, then you already have the perfect stem.
Infinitive | Perfect stem | Derived word |
---|---|---|
construct/er, to construct |
construct- |
construction |
express/er, to express |
express- |
expression |
opin/er, to opine |
opin- |
opinion |
extract/er, to extract |
extract- |
extraction |
distint/er, to distinguish |
distint- |
distintion, distinction |
Note
As in English, Interlingue sometimes has two groupings of verbs with nearly the same meaning where the more Latin-like one has a more formal or heavy character. To derive extraction above the verb extracter is used, but the verb extraer also exists (lit. ex-traer, to pull out), which above would lead to extra-er → extrat → extration. This gives them a slightly nuanced meaning: an extraction, derived from extracter (to extract), is only an extraction. But an extration, derived from extraer (to pull out), is both a pulling out and an extraction.
Similarly, the word reader (letor, from le/er → let → letor) has a “hidden” companion in the form of lecter that can be seen from the word lector (same meaning in Interlingue as in English) that one can see derived as lecter → lect- → lector. The word letion above can also be written lection, which carries a more formal or pompous meaning. This freedom given to the user to explore the language oneself is a powerful tool for adding nuance in writing.
Five verbs are exceptions to the above and must be learned separately.
Infinitive | Perfect stem | Derived example |
---|---|---|
ceder, to cede |
cess- |
recession |
seder, to sit |
sess- |
session |
tener, to hold |
tent- |
retention |
venir, to come |
vent- |
intervention |
verter, to wind |
vers- |
version |
Note
The original de Wahl’s Rule included the exception mover (to move) → mot-, from which is derived motion. The Interlingue community noted however that motion (plus emotion) and movement are semantically different and that using two verbs moer (to move, to budge) and mover (to move) would allow greater precision while doing away with an irregularity. Thus, the word motion is regularly derived from mo/er → mot- → motion.
The action, result or location of a verb.
fabrication, from fabricar (to fabricate)
administration, from administrar (to administrate)
expedition, from expedir (to send, to expedite)
The acting person, thing or factor of a verb.
decorator, from decorar (to decorate)
fabricator, from fabricar
administrator, from administrar
expeditor, from expedir
compressor, from compresser (to compress)
Adjective derived from -or above, similar to English “-ory”. Refers to something that is dedicated to or working as:
un obligatori servicie = an obligatory service (from obligar, to obligate)
un organisatori talent = a talent for organization (lit. an organisor-y talent; Interlingue allows greater freedom than English with such words)
un preparatori mesura = a preparatory measure (from preparar, to prepare)
un transitori stadie = a transitory stage (from transir, to cross)
contraditori propositiones = contradictory propositions (from contradir, to contradict)
un ilusori pensa = an illusory thought (from iluder, to feint or delude)
scritori crampe = writer’s cramp (i.e. the cramp of a scritor)
defensori discurse = lit. “defensive discourse” (e.g. the speech on the defendant’s side, from defender, to defend)
English “-ive”, forms adjectives that denote an active ability:
un decorativ vase = a decorative vase (un decoratori vase would be a vase intended for decoration, but uncertain as to whether it is actually decorative or not)
un obligativ promesse = a promise that obligates (obligatori promesse = an obligatory promise)
un explicativ exemple = an example that explains something (explicar = to explain)
un consolativ response = a response that brings consolation (un consolatori response = a response given as consolation) (consolar = console)
un negativ resultate = a negative result (negar = to deny)
un instructiv articul = an instructive article (instructer = instruct)
un decisiv parol = a decisive word (decider = to decide)
Similar to English “-ure”. Forms verbal nouns denoting a concrete, realized action or its result.
garnitura = garnish (the English noun “garnish”, from garnir = to garnish)
scritura = writing, scripture (from scrir = to write)
politura = polish (the noun “polish”, from polir = to polish)
The perfect stem plus an -e (to indicate a noun) is also used to form the result of the action of a verb:
tribute = tribute (from tribuer)
flute = flood (from fluer)
scrite = writing (also note manuscrite, a manuscript, from manu (hand) + scrite)
extracte = extract, from extracter (extrate for a slightly different nuance — see note above)
miscomprense = misunderstanding (from miscomprender = misunderstand)
The -e is technically optional but is used for clarity; it may be removed for euphonic purposes (usage in poetry, to translate colloquial or informal speech, etc.).
The perfect stem on its own is also used as an adjective:
un apert fenestre = an open window (from aperter = to open) (note the difference between this and un apertet fenestre = an opened window)
un pervers(i) opinion = a perverse opinion (from perverter = to pervert) Here again there is a difference between perversi (perverse) and pervertet (perverted).
un devot amíco = a devoted friend (from devoer = to devote). In cases where no obvious difference exists between the perfect stem (devot) and the past tense (devoet), the two tend to be used interchangeably. One could still imagine however situations where choosing one or the other is necessary.
Note
-i, like -e above, is affixed to show that the word is an adjective. -i is also optional, and tends to be used most often when euphony demands it (e.g. the word micri, small, could not be pronounced without it).
Note
The perfect stem is used when deriving (forming) words, but not for verb conjugation. Technically words above such as apert, pervers(i) etc. can be learned and thought of as separate entities but knowing how they are derived from verbs gives the user of the language a much greater range of options when speaking and leads to much less looking up of words in the dictionary.
In fine del septembre mill nin cent duant sett (1927) li conosset geofisico Professor Wegener (de Graz in Austria) visitat un ja de long conosset, ma per su orígine absolutmen misteriosi cratere in Sall sur li insul Oesel (Saaremaa), quel apartene al Republica de Estonia. Il esset in un societé de professores Kraus e Meyer del universitá in Riga e fat explorationes pri ti fenomen del natura.
In to omni expertes esset unanim til nu, que ci ne acte se pri un extint vulcan, quam on pensa in circules de laicos. Li max probabil opinion esset ti, que li cratere es un funel de ruition. Nu professor Wegener expresset un nov surprisant interpretation del orígine de ti strangi formation. Il pensa que on have ci un funel de penetration de un grandissim meteorite, simil al funeles de grenades, queles noi conosse desde li guerre mundan. Li cratere de Sall have un diametre de du cent quinant (250) e un profundore de deciquin (15) metres. It sembla esser un diminuet simil formation quam li famosi Arizona-crater in Nord America, quel advere have du mill (2000) metres in diametre.
Ma quo es significativ – per forationes on ja ha constatat in quar cent (400) metres sub li solea del cratere un enorm meteorite de circa mill du cent (1200) metres in diametre, it es, un córpore de dimensiones de un micri satellite. Wegener aprecia li grandore del meteorite, quel ha productet li cratere de Sall, ye circa cent til cent quinant (100 til 150) metres in diametre, e supposi que it deve trovar se in circa quinant til settant quin (50 til 75) metres de profundore. Adplu it es remarcabil, que in li vicinitá del principal cratere es situat pluri simil, ma mult plu micri, funeles, probabilmen causat per partes, queles ha separat se durant li cadida, quo es sovente observat che li cadidas de meteorites.
Si li suposition de prof. Wegener es rect, tande li cratere in Sall es un unic monument de natura in Europa, e li duesim sur li tot globe de terra.
acter = to act
adplu = furthermore
advere = indeed
apertener = to belong
cader = to fall
causar = to cause
circul = circle
conosser = to know
córpore = body
extinter = to extinguish
forar = to bore, to drill
funel = funnel
grandissim = huge
grandore = size (cf. grandeur)
laico = layperson (i.e. not a specialist)
max = most
orígine = origin
penetrar = to penetrate
pluri = several
probabil = probable
producter = to produce
profundore = depth
quadresim = fourth
rect = right, correct
ruir = to collapse
separar = to separate
simil = similar
situat = situated, located
solea = sole, bottom
sovente = often
strangi = strange
suposir = to suppose
tande = then
unanim = unanimous
unic = unique
vicinitá = vicinity
Li cardinal numerales, queles responde al question “quant?” es:
1 |
un |
2 |
du |
3 |
tri |
4 |
quar |
5 |
quin |
6 |
six |
7 |
sett |
8 |
ott |
9 |
nin |
10 |
deci |
11 |
deciun |
12 |
decidu |
13 |
decitri |
14 |
deciquar |
15 |
deciquin |
16 |
decisix |
17 |
decisett |
18 |
deciott |
19 |
decinin |
20 |
duant |
30 |
triant |
31 |
triant un |
40 |
quarant |
50 |
quinant |
60 |
sixant |
70 |
settant |
75 |
settant quin |
80 |
ottant |
90 |
ninant |
100 |
cent |
200 |
du cent |
300 |
tri cent |
400 |
quar cent |
500 |
quin cent |
600 |
six cent |
700 |
sett cent |
800 |
ott cent |
900 |
nin cent |
1000 |
mil |
4711 |
quar mill sett cent deciun |
1 000 000 |
un million |
1 000 000 000 |
un milliard |
Per adjuntion del suffix -esim noi have li ordinal numerales, respondent al question “quantesim?”:
1 |
unesim |
2 |
duesim |
3 |
triesim |
4 |
quadresim |
5 |
quinesim |
10 |
decesim |
30 |
triantesim |
55 |
quinantquinesim |
100 |
centesim |
1000 |
milesim |
Note
decesim (tenth) is written as decesim and not deciesim because -i in deci is the adjectival ending we encountered above (the root itself is dec). This is another example of an adjective that requires the -i ending on its own as otherwise dec would be pronounced “dek”.
-esim also gives rise to internationally-recognized words such as ínfinitesim (an infinitessimal part) and infinitesimal. In Interlingue these words are regularly derived from common verbs: ín + fini-r (to finish) + t + -esim + -al = ínfinitesimal.
Similarly, sometimes the -ant is written -anti for euphonic purposes. But because -ant on its own is easy enough to pronounce the -anti form is much rarer.
Per adjuntion del sufix -plic (-uplic pos consonantes) (del verbe “plicar”) noi recive li multiplicativ numerales, queles responde al question “quantuplic?”:
unuplic (simplic)
duplic
triplic
duantquinuplic
decuplic
duantuplic
quadruplic
centuplic
Note
From these words are also derived many known words: duplicitá (duplicity), triplicar (to triplicate), etc. Also note the “d” in quadr to form recognizable terms such as quadratic, quadrennial, etc.
Note
To summarize: quant asks how many, quantesim asks which place (the “howmany-ith”), and quantuplic how many times (the “howmany-uple”).
Existe anc colectiv numerales, queles expresse un colection o un aproximativ númere:
unité
pare
triene
quarene
quinene
sixene
decene
deciduene
duantene
centene
milene
Note
The above numbers are used collectively or approximatively in phrases such as un centene de soldates: a hundred soldiers. English uses collective nouns rarely (a group of people, a pair of ducks,) while Interlingue allows it with any number with the -ene ending.
Li fractiones es:
1/1 |
un tot |
1/2 |
un demí (o un duesim) |
1/3 |
un ters (o un triesim) |
1/4 |
un quart |
1/5 |
un quinesim |
1/100 |
un centesim |
0,1 |
null e un decesim |
2,3 |
du tot e tri decesim (o du comma tri) |
1 1/2 |
un e demí |
2 3/4 |
du e tri quart |
2 x 2 = 4 |
du vez du es quar |
10 / 2 = 5 |
deci sur du es quin |
De 1/5 li fractiones es simil al ordinales.
adjunter = to add to
colecter = to collect
composir = to compose
deciduene = a dozen
in vice de / vice = instead of
multiplicar = to multiply
pare = pair
plicar = to fold
quant = how many
quantesim = which place
reciver = to receive
unité = unit
Quel hora es? Quel es li témpore?
12:00 = a decidu horas (precis); it es midí
12:45 = a un hora ante un quart
1:00 = a un hora (precis)
1:25 = a un hora e duantquin
Sixant secundes es un minute.
Sixant minutes es un hor.
Duant quar hores es un die.
Sett dies constitue un semane.
In un mensu es circa quar semanes.
Decidu mensus es un annu.
Cent annus es nominat un secul, mill annus un millennie.
Li sett dies del semane es: soledí, lunedí, mardí, jovedí, mercurdí, saturdí.
Li decidu mensus es: januar, februar, marte, april, may, junio, julí, august, septembre, octobre, novembre e decembre.
Note
The word hora refers to the hour of the day. The word hor refers to an hour of time.
The word clocca is an alternative to the word hora. It was replaced by hora during the 1940s but seems to have remained popular and has a bit of a slangy feel. Ye clocca du = a du horas.
While we are on the subject, the same has happened with the word flicca (“girl”, from Swedish flicka), which was changed to puella a long time ago. Now flicca has a similar feel to English “gal” or “chick”.
Triant dies hav' septembre, April, junio, novembre, Triant un have altris tot, Februar sol have duant ott; Except in annus intercalar Duant nin have februar.
In li verne plantes cresce in li renascet natura. In estive flores vive e li dies es calid. In autune flores mori e li fructes es matur. In hiverne veni nive e li dies es frigid.
annu = year
autune = autumn
calid = hot
die = day
estive = summer
flore = flower
hiverne = winter
mensu = month
midí = midday
millennie = millennium
nive = snow
quel = which
renascer = to be reborn (cf. renaissance, renascentie in Interlingue)
secul = century
semane = week
verne = spring
In null altri ocasion on menti tant quam pos un chasse, durant un guerre e ante un election.
— Bismarck
Si li veritá vell esser dat me con li condition, que yo deve celar it in me e ne dar it de me – yo vell refusar it.
— Seneca
It es just egal, si on interprende liberar homes queles have null firm conceptiones ex lor erras, quam si on vole expussar un vagabunde qui have null firm dom ex su hem.
— Locke
Quo noi nómina accidentie, es li asil del ignorantie.
— Spinoza
accidentie = accidence, chance
celar = to hide
chasse = hunt
expussar = to chase out
ignorantie = ignorance
interprender = to undertake
liberar = to free, to liberate
mentir = to lie (not tell the truth)
null = no (none)
ocasion = occasion, event
refusar = to refuse
veritá = truth
Knowing how to derive words with prefixes and suffixes is of great importance in the understanding of international words, because being able to do this allows you to form a large number of internationally-understood words on your own from a single root. None of the prefixes or suffixes in Interlingue, seemingly so large in number, were created from scratch, but already exist in many internationally known foreign words. The difference in that in Interlingue they are not simply imported loanwords, and have been given a more precise sense and have been made for more general and meaningful use.
Let’s take the root centre as an example (centre in English as well). From this word we already recognize words derived from it: central, centrale, centralisme, centralisar, centralisation, centralisator, decentralisar, decentralisation, concentrar, concentration, excentre, excentric, excentricitá, subcentral, etc. By learning Interlingue’s derivation one gains an understanding for how they are made up.
We are now going to look at prepositions, which in Interlingue are not simply standalone particles but also used to form words.
a, ad |
to |
along |
along |
alor |
then |
ante |
before |
apu |
by, next to |
avan |
before |
caus |
because of |
che |
at, with |
circum |
around |
con |
with |
contra |
against |
de |
of, from |
desde |
since |
detra |
behind |
durant(e) |
during |
ex |
out |
except |
except |
extra |
besides |
in |
in |
infra |
below |
intra |
between |
malgré |
despite |
per |
by, through |
por |
for |
pos |
after |
preter |
past |
pri |
regarding |
pro |
due to |
secun |
according to |
sin |
without |
sub |
under |
sur |
on |
súper |
over |
til |
until |
tra |
through |
trans |
across |
ultra |
beyond |
vers |
towards |
vice |
instead |
ye |
preposition used when no other apt preposition comes to mind |
Let’s take a look at a few from all of these.
To. Has many uses:
Il dat li flores a su amata. = He gave the flowers to his girlfriend.
Un epistul a nor societé. = A letter to our society (note: society as in a group or company).
Yo viagea a Berlin. = I travel to Berlin.
Li vapornave ea a Lisbon. = The steamboat goes to Lisbon.
Clar a departer. = Ready (clear) to depart.
Un error a regretar. = A regretful error (lit. an error to regret).
Means “before” in terms of time and place (avan only refers to place).
ante Cristo = before Christ
avan li dom = before the house
Because of. The reason for something goes right after caus, which is an abbreviation of the longer in cause de.
caus vor intervention = because of your intervention
caus li politic evenimentes = because of the political events
With.
Li filio ea con su patre. = The son goes with his father.
Ella stat con lácrimes in li ocules. = She stood with tears in her eyes.
Note
The phrasing “the hands”, “the eyes” to refer to body parts is more common internationally than the English his/her/their. But English also uses it sparingly such as in “look me in the eyes” (not “look me in my eyes”).
De has a wide usage, and oftentimes other prepositions can be used in its place.
Li dom de mi patre. = The house of my father, my father’s house.
Li dramas de Schiller. = Schiller’s dramas.
Ti libre es scrit de un fémina. = This book is written by a woman (per fits here as well).
Un senior de Berlin. = A gentleman from Berlin (ex fits here as well).
Li max grand de omnis. = The largest of all (ex potentially fits here as well).
Un vase de aure. = A vase of gold.
Since, for.
Desde du annus. = For two years.
Out (of), from.
Il venit ex su chambre. = He came out ofhis room.
Yo trinca ex li glass. = I drinkt out of the glass.
Traductet ex german in Interlingue. = Translated from German into Interlingue.
By, through, with
Il defendet se per un gladie. = He defended himself with a sword.
Il salvat se per svimmar. = He saved himself by swimming.
Li moné ha esset furtet per un ínconosset hom. = The money has been stolen by an unknown person.
Un libre por omnes e por nequí. = A book for all and for nobody.
On manja por viver, on ne vive por manjar. = You eat to live, you don’t live to eat.
Noi parlat pri politica. = We talked about politics.
Yo mersia pro Vor auxilie. = I thank (you) for your help.
Yo laborat til decidu horas. = I worked until twelve o’clock.
Til li extrem fine del munde. = Until the very end of the world.
Yo videt le tra li fenestre. = I saw him through the window.
Lindberg volat trans li Atlantic Ocean. = Lindberg flew across the Atlantic Ocean.
Li avie volat vers li sole. = The bird flew towards the sun.
These prepositions are also used to form other words.
aportar = to bring (a + portar, to carry)
antediluvian = antediluvian (ante + diluvie, a flood)
avanposto = outpost (avan + posto)
circumstantie = circumstance (circum + stantie from star = to stand)
constellation = constellation (con + stelle = star)
contravention = contravention (contra + vention = coming, from venir)
deportar = to deport (de + portar, to carry)
exportar = to export (ex + portar, to carry)
ex-imperator = former emperor
extraordinari = extraordinary (extra + ordinari)
inclusiv = inclusive (in + cluder, to close or shut)
intervalle = interval (inter + valle, a bulwark or embankment (related to English wall))
preterpassant = passing by (preter + passar, to pass)
subordination = subordination (sub + ordinar, to order)
traducter = to translate or render (tra + ducter, to lead)
transatlantic = transatlantic
vice-presidente = vice president (vice + presidente)
The following prefixes are only used in compound words.
Related by marriage.
belfratre = brother-in-law (fratre = brother)
(Usually de- before consonants.)
Before nouns: nullation or opposing meaning, un-:
desagreabil = disagreeable (agreabil = agreeable, friendly)
deshonor = dishonour
desilusion = disillusion
On verbs: loss of something:
desarmar = to disarm (armar = to arm)
Separation, moving away:
dismembrar = to dismember (membre = limb)
distracter = to distract (tracter or traer = to pull)
Opposite meaning (in-, un-, etc.):
ínoficial = unoficial
ínclar = unclear
íncurabil = uncurable
ínpossibil = impossible
Note
Other more internationally-recognized forms such as impossibil (vs. ínpossibil), irregular (vs. ínregular) etc. were often used in Interlingue but the user base showed a preference for a regular ín- and the other forms have become rarer.
Not to be confused with the unstressed preposition in-, similar to the one in English in words such as inclusiv, inspecter.
Wrong, improper, mis-:
miscomprender = to misunderstand (comprender = to understand)
misparlar = to misspeak (parlar = to speak)
Before, pre-:
prematur = premature (matur = mature)
prevenir = to forestall, to preempt, to prevent (venir = to come)
prehistoric = prehistoric
Ahead, forth
producter = to produce (ducter = to lead)
projecter = to project (jecter = to throw)
Again, re-:
reaction = reaction
renascentie = renaissance, rebirth (nascentie = birth)
revider = to see again (vider = to see)
When Interlingue was first announced in 1922, Edgar de Wahl proposed a number of standalone and derived words that he believed to be equally valid, leaving the decision between them to the community to see which form it preferred. This process of ironing out took place over the next 25 years, at a very gradual pace as all changes in the end were very minor. Some examples of theoretically equally valid forms are the following:
Etymologic | Doubled consonant | Modern single consonant form |
---|---|---|
adportar |
apportar |
aportar (to bring, from ad + portar, lit. to “to pull”) |
adnexion |
annexion |
anexion (to annex, from ad + nexer, lit. to “to tie”) |
adtractiv |
attractiv |
atractiv (to attract, from ad + tracter, lit. to “to pull”) |
obpression |
oppression |
opression (to oppress, from ob + presser, lit. to “against press”) |
subposition |
supposition |
suposition (to suppose, from sub + poser, lit. to “under place”) |
The form on the left was rarely if ever used, due to 1) the uninternational appearance and 2) the possibility of appearing to have a different meaning. Subposition for example simply looks like “under position” and does not give the sense of “supposition”.
The second form was used for a time, but eventually the community settled on the form on the right for simplicity, with doubled consonants used in the cases mentioned in the beginning of the book (“ss” to maintain the [s] sound in all cases, “ch” for [sh], etc.).
Etsi it sempre ne es litteralmen ver que it custa torrentes de sangue por pussar li homanité in moventie un millimetre adavan, it támen es ínnegabil e pruvat del experientie, que íncredibil mult eforties es necessi por far li homanité comprender un nov idé, benque it vell aportar it grand avantages. It existe tro mult homes, queles relate con índiferentie e indolentie a lu nov, o monstra admaxim un platonic benevolentie, e anc tales, queles combatte it con apert íntolerantie e mem acumula barrieres e impedimentes por desfacilisar li progress del cultur. In consequentie de lor ignorantie ili quasi time líber pensada e li aparentie de nov idés, e ili da preferentie solmen a to, quo sta in acordantie a lor propri restrictet saventies. Qual perseverantie de su pioneros ha postulat e va postular li movement por un lingue international, qual persistentie in li confidentie e esperantie al final victorie del nobil idé!
Omni progress es li resultate de un tenaci luctada inter du tendenties: un, quel crede in li permanentie de lu existent e insiste in li conservation de it, e un altri, quel crede in li existentie de alquicos plu bon. Fórsan con un cert exageration on nómina li unesimes frenatores e reactionarios, li duesimes fantasistes e utopistes. Li fundamental diferentie inter li du partises es proprimen to, que li regressistes ne conosse li essentie del nov idés e pro to ne posse apreciar lor valore e importantie, durant que li progressistes es tro inclinat depreciar li existentie del conservativ leges del realitá e li potentie del temporari circumstanties. On vell posser nominar ti du partises realistes e idealistes, de to ne vell esser alquant ínjust, nam anc li realistes have su ideales, e anc li idealistes calcula con un realitá, quel posse fórsan esser plu ver quam li evident.
Un filosof unquande ha expresset li sam pensa per ti paroles: “Li munde sempre ha ridet pri to quo plu tard ha verificat se. In omni témpores existe homes qui pensa, e homes qui ride. Quande li témpore ha passat e un nov intrat – it ha sempre esset talmen, ne existe exceptiones – tande li munde ha regardat a retro e erectet monumentes a tis qui pensat, e ridet pri tis qui ridet.”
acordantie = accordance
acumular = to accumulate
admaxim = at most
alquant = quite
alquicos = some thing
aparer = to appear
apert = open
apreciar = to appreciate
avantage = advantage
barrar = to bar
calcular = to calculate
cert = certain
circumstantie = circumstance
confider = to confide
custar = to cost
depreciar = to depreciate
effortie = effort
erecter = to erect, to raise
essentie = essence
etsi = although
exception = exception
frenar = to brake
fórsan = perhaps
impedir = to impede
importantie = importance
inclinar = to incline, to tend
indolentie = indolence
insister = to insist
intrar = to enter
lege = law
luctar = to fight, to struggle
líttere = letter
monstrar = to show
mover = to move
negar = to deny
nobil = noble
partise = party
perseverar = to persevere
persister = to persist
potentie = might, power
pruvar = to prove
pussar = to push
quasi = as if, quasi
regardar = to regard
relater = to relate
restricter = to restrict
retro = backwards, retro
rider = to laugh
sangue = blood
tenaci = tenacious
timer = to fear
tro mult = too much
unquande = once
valore = worth
verificar = to verify
victorie = victory
índiferentie = indifference
ínjust = unjust
Si noi vole economisar moné, noi deve deposir it e ne spoliar it in omnidial micri expenses. Ma si noi vole economisar témpore, nor hores e minutes, noi deve utilisar les, e plu exclusivmen ili es usat por digni scopes, plu ili es transformat in un capitale de caractere, intelligentie e potentie. Noi cresce ne in aritmetic, ma in geometric progression, li flut de nov vive ne es solmen addit, ma multiplicat per lu antean. Un nov pensa, quel on excisela, ne es solmen juntet al anteyan pensas, ma transforma les e multiplica les, da nos nov vispunctus, de queles noi vide omni relationes e idés in un altri perspective.
Un passu ancor ad-supra li monte fa li horizonte plu vast in omni directiones.
Channing
ad-supra = up
ancor = still, yet
anteyan = former
digni = dignified
economisar = to economize, to save
exciselar = to chisel out (ciselar = to chisel)
flut = flood, flow
junter = to join
monte = mountain
moné = money
passu = a step
plu … plu … = the more … the more …
scope = goal, aim
spoliar = to spoil, to waste
usar = to use
vast = vast
Noi ha studiat mult e perfectionat mult, durant li ultim témpore, concernent li grand invention del civilisation: li division de labor. Solmen noi da it un fals nómine. It ne es, si noi expresse li veritá, li labor, quel es dividet, ma li homes: dividet in segmentes de homes, ruptet in micri fragmentes e pezzes de vive, talmen que li micri parte del intelligentie, quel resta in un hom, ne es suficent por far un pivote o un clove, ma exhauste se per far li fine de un pivote o li cap de un clove. E li grand cri, quel eleva se ex nor industrial cités, plu sonori quam lor sofflada de fornes – omnicos deriva de to, que noi fabrica omnicos in ili, except homes. Noi inpallida coton, e indura stal, e raffina sucre e modella ceramica, ma clarar, indurar, rafinar o modellar un singul vivent anim, tó nequande trova se in nor calculationes de profite.
Ruskin
Note
to is only written with an accent here to show emphasis (“that is never found in our profit calculations”).
anim = soul
cap = head
clove = nail
concerner = to concern
coton = cotton
cri = a cry
derivar = to derive
elevar = to elevate, to raise
fals = false
fine = end
forn = oven
indurar = to harden
inpallidar = to bleach (also pallidar, in- strengthens the verb a bit as in “to bleach in”)
pezze = piece
pivote = fulcrum, hinge
restar = to remain
rupter = to break, to rupture
sonori = sonorous
suficent = sufficient
ultim = final, recent
Un yun greco hat aprendet de Protágoras li arte de sofistes contra payament de 50 mines ínmediatmen e ulterior 50 mines, quande il hat victet in su unesim processu. Proque il tardat payar li ultim parte, Protágoras comensat processu contra il. In ti die, in quel li judicament evenit, li du parties incontrat ante li deliberationes del judicos.
“It es plu bon, que tu paya me nu,” dit li mastro, “nam si yo victe, tu va esser judicat a payar, e si tu victe, tande tu ya ha victet in unesim processu, e va dever payar me anc in ti casu.”
“No, ples atender un poc,” replicat li yun mann, “si tu victe, tande yo ne ha victet in unesim processu, e tande, comprensibilmen, yo ne deve payar te e si yo victe, tande li judicament ya va esser tal, que yo ne deve payar.”
aprender = to learn
atender = to wait
comprender = to understand
comprensibilmen = of course (from comprensibil = understandable, natural)
evenir = to happen
judicar = to judge
judico = a judge
mastro = master
mine = mine (ancient Greek currency)
payar = to pay
replicar = to reply
tardar = to delay
victer = to win
ínmediatmen = immediately
Un lingue, aprioric e logic, in quel chascun parol vell esser solmen un signe de un sol fix notion, un lingue sin images e metáfores e sin alcun associationes de idés, queles nequande vell lurar li pensa a altri notiones, un tal lingue vell esser perfectissim, pur principiarimen, pur teoricmen. Li paroles vell esser solmen instrumentes del pensa e necos plu.
Ma, it es un fact, noi nequande vell posser aprender un tal lingue. To es, si noi ne presuposi, que li vocabularium deve esser micrissim possibil. Ma tande it ne vell esser possibil expresser to, quo un civilisat nation, mem li micrissim popul, posse expresser per su lingue. Li homan memorie besona firm punctus por adherer, ma sur li calv, glacie-polit superficie del logic notiones it ne posse retener se. Just caus lor ínperfectitás e ruditás li natural lingues da nos plu secur adhesion por li memorie.
Li amore al metáfores es tam inradicat in nor mentes, que, etsi noi vell posser dispensar li metáfores, noi támen ne vell voler it. In omni lingues, nov e antiqui, on posse constatar li fenomen, que simplic, descolorat nómines es viceat per paroles, queles per su images e associationes de idés es quasi plu vivent, plu interessant. E noi posse profetisar, que tam long quam nor homanité ne ha perdit se ancor in pur ration, tam long quam sentiment e imagination ancor lude un rol, tam long quam homes ama li flores del verne ne solmen li sicc folies del autune – tam long un lingue aprioric, sin historie e sin metáfores ne va esser parlat sur ti ci globe.
adherer = to adhere
amore = love
besonar = to need
calv = bald
chascun = each
dispensar = to dispense, to rid oneself of
fix = fixed, fast
glacie = ice
luder = to play
lurar = to lure
mente = mind
necos = nothing (n.b. derived from ne + cose, thus accented as necós and often written with the accent)
perdir = to lose
presupposir = to presuppose
pur = pure
radica = a root
rol = role
rud = rude, rough
sentir = to feel
sicc = dry
superficie = surface
vicear = to replace
Honestie es li max bon politica.
Exemples es plu bon quam prescrites.
Laude fa bon homes plu bon, e mal homes plu mal.
Fortuna favora li braves.
Li oldes save, quo li yunes ne conosse, ma li yunes aprende, quo li oldes ne posse.
Li bravo merite li bella.
De lu sublim a lu comic es sovente solmen un passu.
Leges es quam li texturas del aranés; li micri moscas es captet, li grandes trapassa.
arané = spider
brav = brave
capter = to catch
fortuna = fortune
laude = praise
meriter = to merit
mosca = a fly
texter = to spin
trapassar = to pass through
Per li studia del historie noi percepte li intim conexion, quel existe inter lu present e lu passat. Li present moment es un transient cose, su radicas es in lu passat, su esperas in lu futuri. Si omnicos vell depender del subtil fil del fugient moment, quel ilumina e dura solmen durant un move del ocul, solmen por evanescer in li abiss de Nihil, tande omni vive vell significar solmen un exeada ad in li morte. Noi es tro inclinat regardar lu passat quam alquicos mort, ma it existe ye vivent evidentie in nor animas hodie. It opresse nos e stimula nos al action, it tirannisa nos e inspira nos a coses plu sublim.
abiss = abyss
conexion = connection
depender = to depend
evanescer = to evanesce
exeada = exit
fil = thread
fugir = to flee
futuri = future (adjective)
mort(i) = dead
morte = death
Nihil = Nothing
passat = past
percepter = to perceive
significar = to mean, to signify
subtil = subtle
transir = to transit, to go by
Li historie demonstra, que un energie e scop-conscient labor finalmen triumfa, ne pro que grand masses de homes auxilia realisar alcun cose, ma sovente pro que li iniciatores sin repose acte por li idé.
— O. Fehlmann
Sovente it es plu desfacil viver por un idé quam morir por it. To es li diferentie inter heróes e martiros.
— O. Wilde
Du levul gantes ne fa un pare de gantes, du demí veritás ne fa un veritá.
— Multatuli
alcun = some
auxiliar = to help
cose = thing
finalmen = finally
gante = glove
iniciar = to initiate, to start
levul = left
repose = repose
scop-conscient = goal-conscious
Endings for types of words such as nouns, adjectives and the like are no more obligatory in Interlingue than in natural languages. Vowels at the end of words are mainly justified by ease of pronunciation. Internationally-known words found in many languages are just as diverse in Interlingue as in other languages. Some of them are: firma (company), boa, auto, conto (account), cangurú (kangaroo), marabú (a type of tree), tabú, colibrí (hummingbird), lampe, idé (idea), etc. Nouns, adjectives and particles can end in any vowel or consonant, as long as the word can be clearly spoken.
A very common end vowel in Interlingue is -e, which does not have any particular meaning, but is used for ease of pronunciation and to distinguish words from others. Nouns: teatre, centre, lampe. Adjectives: pie (pious), varie (varied). An adverb: sovente (often). The -e is also seen in plurals after a consonant before the -s: nation, nationes. It can also play a role in distinguishing a noun from an adjective: central (central), centrale (headquarters).
The most common adjectival ending is -i, which is also used for pronunciation and distinguishing types of words:
vivaci = vivacious/lively
sagi = wise
omni = all
stormi = stormy (storm = storm)
uniformi (the noun is uniform)
For nouns referring to living creatures, the ending -o is used to indicate the male gender, and -a the female, when necessary. (Genderless or unspecified: -e or no ending):
un germano = a German man
un germana = a german woman
amíco = male friend
amíca = female friend
cavallo = male horse (stallion)
cavalla = female horse (mare)
gallino = rooster
gallina = hen
In many other words the -o ending is used for a specific item, while -a refers to something in a more collective sense, a location or time. rosiero = rose bush, rosiera = rose garden, barbería = barbershop, auditoria = auditorium, imperia = empire, etc.
Substantival (noun) adjectives may be used as nouns:
li rich e li povri = the rich and the poor
li riches e li povres = the rich and the poor (lit. the rich ones and the poor ones)
The same endings can be used on adjectives to indicate the gender:
li bello = the handsome man
li bella = the beautiful woman
li yunos = the young ones (boys)
li yunas = the young ones (girls)
The ending can also be used on the definite article itself if there is no particular noun in mind:
Masculine: lo bell = the handsome
Feminine: la bell = the beautiful
Neutral: lu bell = the beautiful
Note
lu is by far the most often used of the three above.
Finally, the ending -um can be used on an adjective to form a noun that expresses the general idea of something:
novum = newness
bonum = goodness
caracteristicum = characteristicness
Comparative (more, less) and superlative (most, least) adjectives are formed in the following way:
li bell flore = the beautiful flower
li plu bell flore = the more beautiful flower
li max bell flore = the most beautiful flower (also maxim)
li min bell flore = the less beautiful flower (also minu)
li minim bell flore = the least beautiful flower
li bellissim flore = the very beautiful (gorgeous, etc.) flower
The above are the regular comparative forms. Other less regular forms exist due to their being part of already existing international words:
Note
minim is included here for the sake of completeness even though it is part of the regular comparative forms.
The usual diminutive (making smaller) suffix is -ett:
filietto = sonny, filietta = little daughter (filie = child)
brunetti = brunette (brun = brown), rosette = rosette (from rose, rose)
cigarette = cigarette (cigare = cigar)
pincette = pincette (pince = pincers)
foliettar = to leaf through (folie = leaf)
volettar = to flutter (volar = to fly)
The same suffix is used to indicate small tools or instruments. Example: inflammette = match (from flamme, flame), tenette = grip, hilt (on a sword, from tener, to hold)
The usual suffix to make something pejorative is -ach:
cavallacha = nag (cavall = horse)
populache = mob, the unwashed (popul = people)
criticachar = to complain, to bitch (criticar = to criticize)
imitachar = to ape (imitar = to imitate)
Many other expressions can be pejorative on their own: simiar also means to ape (simie = monkey, ape).
Verbs are usually formed with the -ar suffix, the most commonly used for immediate derivation.
formar = to form (from form, form)
laborar = to work (from labor, work)
salar = to salt (from sale, salt)
motivar = to motivate (from motiv, motive)
coronar = to crown (from coron, crown)
scruvar = to screw (from scruv, screw)
brossar = to brush (from bross, brush)
lactar = to milk (from lacte, milk)
sanguar = to bleed (from sangue, blood)
dominar = to dominate (from dómino, master)
plenar = to fill (from plen, full)
exsiccar = to dry out (from sicc, dry)
abellar = to beautify (from bell, beautiful)
afacilar = to facilitate (from facil, easy)
As the last examples show, adjectives are frequently made into verbs along with a preposition in front.
The present participle can also be made into verbs:
sedentar = to sit (from sedent = sitting, thus to “make sit”)
reviventar = to revive (from re + vivent = living, thus to “re-make living”)
calentar = to heat (caler = to feel warm, thus calent = being warm and calentar = to make warm)
“To make thus”, “to make as”, similar to English:
electrisar = to electrify (charge with electricity)
idealisar = to idealize (from ideal, ideal, which comes from idé, idea)
Note
electrisar is formed from a sort of hidden word (electr-) formed by removing the suffix -ic, which forms other words as well such as electron (the -on suffix will show up in the next chapter).
-isar can also be used, though more rarely, with nouns. They form words you already know:
canalisar = to canalize (from canale, canal)
tirannisar = to tyrannize (from tiranno, tyrant or bully)
terrorisar = to terrorize (from terrore, terror)
“To make into something”, “to bring towards” — similar to -isar above but slightly different.
electrificar = to electrify (note the difference between this and electrisar above. Electrisar means to make something electric, to charge it, while electrificar means to equip something with electricity or make electric. Flipping a switch would thus electrisa one’s room, while equipping a village with power cables electrifica it. Though such subtle differences are not too relevant in fluid conversation)
identificar = to identify (from identic, identical; identify has these two meanings in English as well: 1) to establish the identity of and 2) to make the same)
falsificar = to falsify (fals = false)
rectificar = to rectify (rect = right)
To become. The word itself to become is devenir, and -ijar is an alternate way of expressing the idea.
maturijar = to mature, to become mature (= devenir matur)
verdijar = to green, to become green (= devenir verd)
oldijar = to become old, to age (= devenir old)
This suffix forms verbs that indicate a swinging or repeating motion, or an intense state of being.
undear = to undulate, to wave (from unde = a wave)
flammear = to flicker (from flamme = flame)
verdear = to green (greening fields, verdant forests, etc.)
The verbal stem (present tense) can also be used as a verbal noun, which refers to a simple action.
yo pensa = I think; mi pensa = my thought
il batte = he hits; un batte = a hit
Note
For -ar and -ir verbs, this often gives the opportunity to make very subtle distinctions if one wishes, due to the general -e and vowelless ending for nouns. This is better explained with examples:
The word pense refers to a thought, while pensa refers to thought. Both are correct, and have a subtle difference:
Li pensa venit a me = the thought came to me (pensa is preferred here as it refers to the action of thinking)
penses e paroles = thoughts and words.
This is, again, a subtle distinction that one may use if wished or ignore at will, like the English words “clothing” and “clothes”, “dinner” and “supper”, “precise” and “accurate”, “venom” and “poison”, etc.)
We have already gone over the suffixes -ion and -ura in chapter 3. Here are some others:
-ar verbs use the -ada suffix, -er and -ir verbs the -ida suffix. It refers to the activity of a verb in its duration.
promenada = a walk, a stroll, a promenada (promenar = to stroll)
cannonada = cannonade (a repeated firing of cannons, from cannonar, to fire a cannon, from cannon = a cannon)
cavalcada = a cavalcade, riding (cavalcar = to ride)
currida = running (currer = to run)
More or less equivalent to the English “-nce” (designates a condition in its duration), this is formed from the -nt participle plus -ie.
existentie = existence (exister = to exist)
índependentie = independence (depender = to depend)
confidentie = confidence (confider = to confide)
provenientie = provenance (provenir = originate)
tolerantie = tolerance (tolerar = to tolerate)
(This suffix requires some special attention, as their international use is more limited than the way they are used in English and in French which uses “-ment” with great frequency.)
Forms nouns that signify a special, concrete action or its outcome or the means for it.
experiment = an experiment (experir = to experience; experientie = experience)
fundament = a foundation (fundar = to found; fundation refers to a founding)
impediment = an impediment (impedir = to impede; impedition refers to an impediment in the sense of impeding)
nutriment = nutrition (nutrir = to nourish; nutrition = nutrition in the sense of nourishing)
developament = development, a development (developar = to develop; developation = development in the sense of developing)
Some other examples Edgar de Wahl mentioned in Cosmoglotta:
abonnament (subscription) is not the act of subscribing but the legal status where one is subscribed
payament (payment) is the money that one pays
medicament (medicine) is the medicine itself, not the act of medication
ornament is the ornament itself
testament is the legal document
argument is the argument that one makes, not the act of arguing
The activity of a verb, mainly industrial or professional, its expenses, etc.:
arbitrage = arbitration, refereeing
inballage = packing (inballar = to pack)
plantage = planting
passage = passage (passar = to pass)
rafinage = refining (rafinar = to refine)
postage = postage
doanage = customs (collecting tax; doane = tax)
Collections with order, things made by:
tonnage = tonnage (tonne = ton)
foliage = foliage (folie = leaf)
boscage = boscage (bosco = bush)
plumage = plumage (plum = feather, pen)
Ja ante ott horas in li matin li publica comensat barrar li stradas ductent al grand plazza de parade, talmen que li policistes havet mult a far por retener it in respectabil distantie. Legionarios e pumperos esset comandat quam auxiliatores por li policie.
Ja on posset vider un policist, forductent un laceron e un fripon, quel esset arrestat quam furtard. Un trincard esset remarcat de un policist, al gaudie de un galoppon de hotel. Un dormion presc restat sub un automobil.
In li sud-front del plazza esset constructet tribunes por li special invitat publica. On videt functionarios de divers institutiones, publicistes e jurnalistes e anc cinematistes. Ye nin horas e tri quart li central tribune comensat plenar se. Ultra li presidente e su marita, nascet princessa D. con su can Bolognes, li comissario de policie, li magistrate municipal, li borgomastro Ciennes on videt mult altri distint persones. In li diplomatic loge prendet plazze li ambassadores anglesi, francesi, german, chinesi, japanesi, con lor damas, inter ili li marita del ambassador italian, li conosset patronessa del societé de protectores de infantes. Inter li deputates del parlament on remarcat omni fractiones comensante del max revolutionari bolshevistes, til li conosset reactionario M., actionario e companion del chef del Grand Magazin Central, e anc quelc pastores del partise Christian.
Presc precis ye deci horas comensat li grand parade militari con elegant cavalcada del cavalleristes, inter queles excellet li lanseros. Li chasseros con lor coloristic vestes evocat general sensation. Poy defilat li artilleristes con lor modernissim mortatori apparates. Inter li infanteristes marchat max von li musqueteros, flancat per li jaloneros. Li officeros portat su órdenes, e on posset remarcar, que li pedones esset plu decorat quam li truppes de ingenieros.
Pos li militare defilat li brigade de pumperos e depoy sequet li scoleros de divers institutes con lor directores, preceptores e instructores. Pos ili marchat li professionales: tallieros, chapeleros, sapateros, barberos, carreteros, carpenteros, mureros, vitreros, ferreros etc. Li ovreros del fabricas ne prendet parte in ti parade, ma li mineros del vicin carbon-miniera esset representat per lor delegates in su original costumes.
Nu sequet li sportiv organisationes e on posset vider mult conosset championes del futballistes, boxeros, velocipedistes, canotistes etc. In fin sequet un corso de automobilistes e motoristes.
In li véspere in li vast sala municipal esset arangeat un grand festa, u incontrat se li tot population per su eminent laboratores scientific, politic, artistic e social. Inter li scientistes on posset reconnosser li professores del universitá, li romanist E., li germanist F., e li orientalist M. Omni scienties esset representat, on videt juristes, medicos, inter ili li oculist S., li internist A. e li dentist U. Anc conosset pictores quam li paisagist L., li portretist R. e li aquarellist e aquafortist K. participat al festa. Ta esset anc li sculptor C. con su marita, li famosi actressa Lola C. On vide li max diferent persones in amical conversation: ci un radical socialist fonde se sub li ardent ocules del excentric baronessa S., ta un prestro del metodistes parla con li millionario e bankero M. e li proprietario del grand fabrica de motores, lord Ch. Li charitabil comtessa T. sembla interessar se ye li activitá del conosset calvinistic missionario B., un alt barbon, quel in ti desbarbat témpore es quasi un anacronisme.
Li babillada cessat quande li trio: li pianisto Z., li cellisto Str. e li violinista Senioretta Ilona M. intonat un arie del local compositor G. Solmen in tard nocte li festa trovat su fine, talmen que li reporteros havet mult a far scrir li rapportes al rect témpore, e li redactores e correctores esset occupat til li límite. Criticastros comprensibilmen ne esset content.
alt = high
arder = to burn
auxiliar = to help
babilar = to chat
barbe = beard
chapel = hat
cité capital = capital city
dente = tooth
depoy = thereafter
dormion = sleeper, sluggard
ducter = to lead
ferre = iron
flanc = side
fonder = to melt
fripon = rascal, scoundrel
galoppon = runner, errand-boy
intern = internal
jalon = a pole
laceron = a rogue, rascal
límite = limit
marita = wife
matin = morning
mineros = miners
mur = wall
ovrero = worker
paisage = landscape
pede = foot
pedones = pedestrians
picter = to paint
presc = almost
retener = to keep back
sapate = shoe
sculpter = to sculpt
talliero = tailor
ultra = besides, beyond
veste = clothing
vitre = glass
Li farmero amabilmen monstrat nos su possessiones. Sur li corte noi videt a dextri un grand dom. To esset li gallinería, u esset anc anates, ganses e quelc altri avies. Detra ti voliera extendet se un pisciera quel servit solmen quam anguilliera. Trans li bassines esset visibil li grand cafeiera e in lontan un piniera. In li horizonte stat blu montes, u esset un rich marmoriera, un ardesiera e altri minieras. Li sómmites esset covrit de nive e glacieros. Del altri látere del corte esset li orangería con mult tropic plantes e fructieros, bananieros, palmes e exotic flores. Noi eat sur un bell planat via, de un látere de quel extendet se un vast herbiera con bellissim trifolie e anc mult bell flores de camp, queles injoyat li paisage. Ma li farmero totmen ne esset content con ti malherbe, quam il nominat les. Il haltat e prendet ex li tasca un tabaciere e presentat nos quelc cigares: “Vu ne posse imaginar Vos,” dit il, “quant me despita li insectes! Vu vide ta li pomiera juntet a mi parc. It es presc vivid pro li mult vermes, con queles yo guerrea nu ja quelc annus. Anc li verdi pedicules de folies in mi adjacent pruniera, malgré omni precautiones, expande se in un horribil maniere.”
“Esque Vu have fórsan formícas?”
“O yes. Ci es pluri formicieras in li boscage vicin. Ili es tre laborosi insectes. Ples notar que just li formícas cultiva li pedicules, e yo posse solmen consiliar Vos tam rapid quam possibil exterminar omni formicieras. Ili es tre nociv animales in un fructiera.”
“Advere! Nu yo va sequer Vor consilie. Ples regardar tra ti clariera, quel aperte nos li vide súper li mare. Ta Vu posse vider un cannoniere e du destructores, queles crucea in ti regiones.”
“Quel es ti nave, quel sub segles veni al portu?”
“To es nor seglero, quel aporta nos salpetre por amelioration del terre. It veni del famos nitrieras in Chile.”
Pos har fat un promenada tra li principal branches de su proprietás, li farmero invitat nos in su “garsoniera,” quam il nominat su hem nu, proque su marita esset in un sanatoria. Quande noi hat sedentat nos in li comod apoyieres, sub li grand castaniero, un servitor aportat sur un tablette un chinesi teiere con tasses. Pos har trincat té e restaurat nos un poc, noi eat regardar li industrial institutiones, li spritería, li lavería, sapatería, carpentería e ferrería, u on fat omni ferrin ovres til li max fin ferreríes ornamental. Specialmen simpatic esset to, que on totmen ne videt forjettat ferrallia, quel talmen desgustant abunda in altri tal ovrerías. Li old forjero con su long albi barbe stat apu li incude avan li foyiere con ardent brase illuminant su energic facie, un image del old témpore.
The following suffixes create nouns that refer to persons.
(From nouns.) Similar to “-er” in English, refers to a person who is engaged in a type of work, or more rarely someone who coincidentally is engaged in a task.
molinero = miller (moline = a mill)
barbero = a barber (barbe = beard)
lavera = washwoman (lava = washing)
passagero = passenger (passage = passage)
(From nouns.) The follower of an “-ism”, or someone engaged in some sort of artistic, ideal, scientific, military, technical or sport-related occupation:
librist = book lover (libre = book)
socialist = socialist (social = social)
bonapartist = Bonapartist (follower of Napoleon Bonaparte)
darwinist = Darwinist
oculist = eye doctor (ocul = eye)
cavallerist = cavalry trooper (cavallerie = cavalry)
machinist = machinist (machine = machine)
telegrafist = telegrafist (telegraf = telegraf)
automobilist = automobilist
(Formed from verbs.) Explained in lesson 3, a simple doer of an action. Note the following:
laborero = a professional worker (this is the -er- suffix). This is derived from the noun labor + -ero
laborator = a worker in general (this is the -or suffix). This is derived from laborar → labora + t + -or
A person that is characterized through something exterior, such as a career:
millionario = millionaire (million = million)
missionario = missionary (mission = mission)
functionario = government worker (from function)
bibliotecario = librarian (biblioteca = library)
notario = notary (nota = enrollment, registration)
A person characterized by an inner or natural character:
dormion = sluggard, sleepy head (dormir = to sleep)
grison = greybeard (gris = grey)
savagion = savage (savagi = wild)
spion = spy (spiar = to spy)
-on also serves as a suffix for objects, often implying a greater size:
cannon = cannon (canne = reed)
ballon = balloon (balle = ball)
galon = braid, military stripe (gala = gala, festival, pomp)
A person with a negative or criminal quality:
falsard = counterfeiter (fals = false)
dinamitard = terrorist who attacks with dynamite
mentiard = liar (mentir = to lie)
Someone unskilled at his or her profession:
medicastro = quack (medico = doctor)
politicastro = political hack, demagogue, politicaster (politico = politician)
poetastro = rhymester, versifier, poetaster (poete = poet)
Resident of a place or someone who originates from it (also as an adjective):
franceso = Frenchman (Francia = France)
francesa = Frenchwoman
francesi = French
borgeso = bourgeois, middle-class person (borgo = borough, town)
viennesa = woman from Vienna
Suffix for females indicating an office or dignified position:
comtessa = countess (comte = count)
princessa = princess (prince = prince)
imperatressa = empress (imperator = emperor)
actressa = actress (actor = actor)
Note that -or drops the “o” in this suffix.
The following suffixes form many of the nouns referring to the states and properties of other words.
An abstract state:
maladie = sickness (malad = sick)
elegantie = elegance (elegant = elegant)
Derivations from participles are particularly numerous:
existentie = existence (existent = existing). The ending -ntie was covered in the 5th lesson, and we can see that it is simply the present participle -nt plus -ie.
It may be used on nouns as well to make them abstract:
seniorie = lordship (senior = lord, sir)
amicie = friendship (amic = friend)
astronomie = astronomy (astronom = astronomer) and many other types of sciences
Quality or character, more or less equivalent to English “-ty”:
qualitá = quality (qual(i) = what a)
homanitá = humanity (homan = human (adjective), from hom = human, (noun))
amabilitá = amiability, kindness (amabil = amiable, kind)
membritá = membership (the status of being a member)
Words that refer to a group of people or things use -té instead of -tá:
homanité = humanity, as in the grouping of people as a whole. homanitá above refers to the character of being human (humanity in the sense of showing kindness and decency)
societé = society (socio = associate, member)
membrité = membership (all the members of something)
Besides the above, -té is much more limited in scope and any doubtful cases are given the -tá ending, such as universitá (university), which is neither the character of being a universe (universe + tá) nor a collection of universes (universe + té). In the same way, society (societá) is not simply the state of being a socio, but it is also not a collection of them (a society is not simply a collection of associates) and thus it becomes societá. Rule of thumb: when in doubt, it’s probably -tá.
(from verbs): a state of feeling, activity, temperature, etc.
amore = love (from amar, to love)
terrore = terror (from terrer = to frighten)
calore = heat (caler = to be hot)
(from adjectives): size, value:
longore = length (long = long)
grandore = size (grand = large)
Special property or condition, most similar to English “-ness”. Examples:
altesse = highness (alt = high, altore = height, altitá = the quality of being high)
grandesse = greatness, magnitude (grand = large, grandore = size, granditá = largeness)
yunesse = youth (yun = young, yunitá = youngness, yunité = the youth)
This is also the suffix used for bombastic titles such as “your Highness” (Vor Altesse).
A frequent suffix for the names of places and countries:
Germania = Germany (german = german)
dominia = dominion (dómino = master)
abatia = abbey (abat = abbot)
auditoria = auditorium (auditor = hearer)
A legal, social, or public institution, state, or office (also location, time, and territory). Often corresponds to English “-at” or “-iat”:
viduatu = widowhood (vidua = widow)
celibatu = celibacy (celibo = bachelor, single man)
proletariatu = proletariat (proletario = a proletarian)
directoratu = directorship (director = director)
secretariatu = secretariat (secretario = secretary)
califatu = caliphate (calif = caliph)
episcopatu = episcopate (office of a bishop, from epíscop = bishop)
An occupation and its activities. As -ería, it refers to the actual location. Both are actually formed from the -er- suffix (doer of an action), then -ie as above for the quality, or -ia for the location.
vitreríe = glasswork, glassware (vitre = glass, vitrero = glassworker)
vitrería = a glassworks (the place)
Beyond the occupation, it also refers to a character trait and its manifestations, same as in English “-ery”:
coquetteríe = coquetry (flirtation, from coquett = coquettish or flirtatious)
bigotteríe = bigotry (bigott = bigoted)
diaboleríe = devilry (diábol = devil)
These three are best learned together.
-iera: a vast location containing something
-iere: a vessel or container holding something
-iero: carrying something (forms trees as well — “carriers” of their fruits)
-iere words:
cigariere = cigar case (cigar + iere)
tacabiere = a tobacco case (tabaco + iere)
candeliere = candle box (candel = candle)
-iero words:
pomiero = apple tree (pom = apple)
orangiero = orange tree (orange = orange)
glaciero = glacier (glacie = ice)
candeliero = candlestick
-iera words:
pisciera = fish pond (pisc = fish)
torfiera = peat bog (torf = peat)
formiciera = anthill (formíca = ant)
A place or device where something is done:
trottuore = sidewalk (trottar = trot, jog)
A consecutive, ordered series or certain amount of something:
colonnade = colonnade (colonne = column)
boccade = mouthful (bocca = mouth)
An unordered or pile of something:
antiquallia = old junk (antiqui = old)
canallia = pack of dogs (can(e) = dog)
A more scientific or specialized grouping of something.
dictionarium = dictionary (diction = a diction)
herbarium = herbarium (herbe = grass, herb)
planetarium = planetarium (planete = planet)
To quo, secun li opinion de frances e angles letores, distinte Goethe, es un qualitá, quel il divide con su nation – constant referentie a intern veritá. In Anglia e America existe reverentie por talent, e li publica es satisfat, si li talent es exercit pro un cert fixat o comprensibil interesse o partie, o in regulari oposition contra un de tales. In Francia existe un plu grand delicie por intellectual brilliantie, pro it self. E in omni ti landes talentat homes scri talentosimen. It es suficent, si li intercomprension es ganiat, li contact attinger, tant columnes, tant hores ocupat in un vivaci e honorabil maniere. Al german intellectu manca li frances brilliantie, li fin practical comprension del angleses, e li american aventura; ma it have un cert honestie, quel nequande resta in superficial performantie, ma questiona constant: pro quel scope? Un german publica demanda controlant sinceritá. “Ci es un activitá de pensada – ma por quo? Quo vole li mann? De u, de u omni ti pensas?”
Sol talent ne posse far un autor. It es necessi que existe un mann detra li libre, un personalitá qui per su orígine e su qualitá da garantíe a ti doctrines queles il exposi, e qui existe por vider e constatar li coses in ti e ne in un altri maniere, qui defende factes proque ili es factes. Si il ne posse expresser se corect hodie, li sam coses supervive e va explicar se deman. Un charge jace sur su mente, li charge de un veritá explicand – plu o minu comprendet, e it constitue su ocupation e su vocation in li munde soluer li problemas e far les conosset. Quo importa que il mistrotta e balbutia, que su voce es crud e mis-sonant, que su metodes e su tropes es ínadequat? Ti mission va trovar metode e images, articulation e melodie. Etsi il vell esser mut, it vell parlar. Si ne – si ne vell exister un tal divin parol che li mann – quo noi cuida, quam fluent, quam brilliant il es…
Emerson
atinger = to attain
aventura = adventure
balbutiar = to stutter
charge = charge, burden
crud = crude
cuidar = to take care of
delicie = a delicacy
demandar = to demand, to request
distinter = to distinguish
exercir = to exercise
explicar = to explain
exposir = to expose
ganiar = to win
orígine = origin
performar = to perform
referer = to reference
reverer = to revere
satisfar = to satisfy
scope = a goal
sol = alone
sonar = to sound
trope = figure of speech, trope
vocar = to call
voce = voice
Note
The -nd suffix (-and for -ar verbs, -end for -er and -ir verbs) adds the meaning “thing to be (verb)ed”. This is where words like dividende (thing to be divided, from divider) come from, which adds a certain obligation (a thing to do = a thing one should do). As an adjective it can also take the -i at the end for euphony. The above un veritá explicand thus means “a truth to be explained”. Another way to say the same would be un veritá a explicar.
Si li triangules vell posser pensar, ili vell imaginar su Deo quam triangulari.
— Spinoza
Li capes de grand homes diminue, si plures de ili conveni; plu mult li sagies, plu minimal li sagesse.
— Montesquieu
Moventie, progresse, esperantie, vive, omnis es solmen sinonimes de optimisme. Li antiqui romano qui pensat li proverbie: durant que yo spira, yo espera, ha concentrat li filosofie del processe del vive, e dat a un biologic fundamental veritá li forme de un classic calambure.
— Nordau
Li damas ne veni in li ciel, nam ja in li Apocalipse es dit in un loc: It esset silent durant un demí seconde. To ne es pensabil ta, u damas es present.
— Kant
angule = angle
calambure = wordplay, pun
loc = place
sagie = sage
siler = to be silent (to make no sound)
spirar = to breathe
It existe du folles in li munde. Li un es li millionario, qui crede, que il posse acumular real potentie per collecter moné; li altri es li glatt-rasat agitator, qui crede, que si il solmen vell posser prender li moné de un classe e dar it a un altri, li social maladies vell esser curat. Ili es ambi sur fals via. Mani del max successosi ho-temporan collectores de moné ne ha augmentat, ni per minimalissim summa, li richesse del homanité. Esque cart-luderos contribue al augmentation del richess del munde?
Si noi omni vell partiprender in li productiv labor, intra li límites de nor capacitá, on vell posser questionar solmen pri to, esque chascun va reciver to quo il besona. Un real manca del vital necessitás – ne un fals manca pro absentie de tintinant metallic monetes in nor tascas – posse depender solmen de ínsuficent production, e ti es, in su órdine, tro sovente un consequentie de mancant saventies pri to quo e qualmen on deve producter.
Ja in comensa noi deve fixar quam facte: li terra es capabil producter decent vive a chascun; ne solmen nutrition ma omnicos quo noi besona; nam omnicos veni del terra. It es possibil arangear li labor, li production, li distribution e li recompensation talmen, que a chascun qui fa su deventie, es garantit un parte del resultate in conformitá al exact justicie.
Omnicos es possibil. Crede es li substantie de coses pri queles noi espera, e li testimonie pri coses queles ne es visibil.
Henry Ford
acumular = to accumulate
augmentar = to augment, to increase
capabil = capable
capacitá = capacity
deventie = a duty
folle = a fool
luder = to play
monete = a coin
partiprender = to participate, to take part
rasar = to shave
substantie = substance
tintinar = to jingle
Note
mani before a singular means “many a”, while before a plural it means “many” (same as mult).
Cosmopolis, 12-esim marte 1930.
Mi car amíco.
Yo mersia Vos cordialmen pro Vor amabil lettre de 10-esim ho-mensu. Yo joya leer, que anc Vu have interesse por li lingue international auxiliari, e yo constata, que yo esset rect, quande yo suposit, que Vu ne posse esser índiferent pri un question quel have grandissim importantie por li future de nor civilisation. Quam omni novones in li interlinguistica Vu comensa per decreter. In Vor curt lettre de quelc lineas Vu expresse Vor opiniones e exposi tant postulates concernent li lingue auxiliari, que, si Vu self vell provar satisfar les, Vu vell haver suficent occupation por quelc cent annus. Vu di, que li lingue deve esser ne europan; ma universal, i. e. un sintese de omni lingues existent sur li terra. Vu oblivia, que p. ex. li lingues chinesi e german es tam diferent, que un lingue, quel deve satisfar Vor postulate, vell esser quasi un hibride inter harengo e sparro. Vu di, que li lingue deve esser idealic, i. e. li max perfect linguistic instrument pensabil. Vu oblivia, que ne omnicos pensabil es possibil.
Idealic lingues es, secun mi opinion, tam ínpossibil quam idealic states. Ili apartene ambi a Utopie. Un idealic lingue sam quam un idealic state es possibil solmen ta u vive idealic homes. Vu di adplu, que li lingue deve esser absolut regulari, nam tande it vell esser max facil. Yo ne posse comprender, pro quo regularitá vell esser identic con facilitá. Li lingue ne es solmen grammatica. It posse esser facil aprender simplic regules, ma it es tre desfacil memorar e usar ínaccustomat paroles. Quant minu un nov lingue chargea li memorie del parlantes, tant plu facil it es.
It existet unquande témpores, quande homes credet seriosimen, que on posse crear, constructer e formar nov lingues arbitrarimen, ex profundore de su animas, secun principies, queles ili self inventet. It eveni ancor sovente, que on audi simil opiniones expresset de homes íniniciat. Plu valorosi quam inventer es constatar li ja factic existent international lingue, quel vive latent in li national lingues del occidental cultura. Li international vocabularium es tre rich, e pro que li scientie e technica ja possede un international terminologie, ili ne posse acceptar un altri lingue international quam un tal quel conserva ti internationalitá.
Vor devoet
Y. Z.
acustomar = to accustom
adplu = moreover
chargear = to charge, to burden
devoer = to be devoted
esser rect = to be right (haver rason is another way to say it)
exposir = to expose
harengo = herring
iniciat = initiated
mersiar = to thank
obliviar = to forget
ocupation = occupation
sam quam = same as
sparro = sparrow
suposir = to suppose
The three most used adjectival suffixes are:
A general suffix showing a relationship or dependency: national from nation, central from centre, diferential from diferentie, etc.
Being so, possessing properties of the word:
energic (energetic) from energie
fantastic from fantaste (a fantast, someone with eccentric or fanciful ideas)
Note
Greek words ending in “-ma” take a “t”, and those ending in “-se” turn the “s” into a “-t” (“xe” also counts as it is pronounced “cse”). Thus:
sistematic from sistema
problematic from problema
hipnotic from hipnose
sintactic from sintaxe
From the adjective -ic we derive nouns with:
-ica refers to the name of the science or art in general, and -ico to the person practicing it. This is one situation where the -o does not necessarily denote a male.
logic = logical
logica = logic
logico = logician
matematic = mathematic
matematica = mathematics
matematico = mathematician
politic = political
politica = politics
politico = politician
critic = critical
critica = criticism
critico = critic
Generally, it is a good idea to resist the urge to express every “-ical” English word with another -ical in Interlingue (just -ic is preferred). But this is another situation where you can for extra precision, and a subject mentioned in Cosmoglotta before. Because -ica as shown above refers to the entire branch of art or science, -al can make an adjective referring to it. Some examples where -ic or -ical could be preferred:
un jardin botanic: a botanical garden
un tractate botanical = a botanical treatise (a treatise relating to botany, the science)
precision matematic = mathematical precision
curiositá matematical = a mathematical curiosity (a curiosity that mathematicians are interested in)
un progression aritmetic = an arithmetic progression
un problema aritmetical = an arithmetical problem (a problem that arithmeticians are interested in)
On a related note, beware of words where English is the odd man out such as energic (energetic) where only English has the added “-et-” in the middle.
Tending to (similar to English “-acious”):
mordaci = mordacious (morder = to bite)
tenaci = tenacious (tener = to hold)
vivaci = vivacious (viver = to live)
Belonging to (often made into nouns with -ano, -ana, -ane):
american = American (America = America)
homan = human (hom = a human)
According to, fitting, belonging to (English “-ar”):
regulari = regular (regul = rule)
populari = popular (popul = people)
(On nouns.) Provided with something:
foliat = leafed (folie = leaf)
barbat = bearded (barbe = beard)
Very rich in, exuberant:
barbut = heavily bearded (barbute)
sandut = sandy
armut = heavily armed
A resemblance but not entirely of the same quality (similar to English “-ish”):
verdatri = greenish (verd = green)
spongiatri = spongy (spongie = sponge)
(Of people.) Similar to, possessing similar qualities to (similar to English “-esque”)
infantesc = childlike (infant = child)
gigantesc = giantesque (gigante = giant, gigantic = gigantic)
(Transitive verbs): what can be done (transitive verbs) what one can do. -ar verbs: -abil, -er and -ir verbs: -ibil.
navigabil = navigable (navigar = to navigate)
formabil = formable (formar = to form)
audibil = audible (audir = to hear)
horribil = horrible (horrer = to be horrified, to dread)
íncredibil = unbelievable (creder = to believe)
durabil = durable (durar = to last)
ínponderabil = unthinkable (ponderar = to ponder)
ínperceptibil = imperceptible (percepter = to perceive)
ínexpressibil = unexpressable (expresser = to express)
visibil (from the perfect stem) = visible (vider = to see)
explosibil (from the perfect stem) = explodable (exploder = to explode)
Denotes ancestry, origin:
argentin = silber (argente = silver)
florentin = Florentine (from Florence, Florentia = Florence)
svinine = pork (svin = pig)
Rich in, full of:
famosi = famous (fama = fame)
musculosi = muscled (muscul = muscle)
respectosi = respectful (respecte = respect)
spinosi = thorny (spine = thorn)
The similar suffixes -iv and -ori were mentioned in lesson 3.
This finishes up the main suffixes seen in Interlingue for forming new words. On top of this are many other much less productive affixes that show up from time to time and are worth noting:
having the qualities of a verb:
timid = timid (timer = to fear, timore = fear)
frigid = cold, frigid (friger = to feel cold, frigore = cold)
Mentioned once in a note above: what is to be done.
quo esset demonstrand = what was to be demonstrated (Latin quod erat demonstrandum)
dividende = a dividend
examinando = an exam-taker (one who is to examine).
Here are some more Latin- or Greek-derived affixes that are seen in words in Interlingue and most other western European languages:
Against.
Anticristo = Antichrist
antitoxine = anti-toxin
antisocial = antisocial, asocial
Highest, over-.
archiepiscop = archbishop
archángel = archangel
archifripon = an “arch rogue”
archinull = total zero, huge loser
Auto-, self.
automobile, autobiografie
Non.
non-agression, nonsense
Pan-.
paneuropa, panslavist
Proto.
protogerman, prototipe
Pseudo, false (note: “p” is not silent!)
pseudo-Cristo = false Christ
pseudoscientie = pseudoscience
Half.
semivocale, semicólon, hemisfere
Tele-, far.
television, telemicroscope
Killer of.
patricide, suicide, homicide
Bringing, bearing.
fructiferi = fruit-bearing
mammifere = a mammal
-phile, loving.
germanofile
Fearing.
germanofobe
-oid, resembling.
negroide, mongoloide, caucasoide, romboide, elipsoide
Words can be joined together in a variety of ways.
Through simple joining, either with or without a hypen. a) Without a hyphen: postcarte, manuscrite. b) With a hyphen: Nord-Europa, automobil-garage
With the vowels “i” or “o” between words: uniform, unilateral, centimetre, microcosmo, aeroplan.
The imperative of a verb can also be used to join words together: portamoné (a wallet, lit. a carry-money), parapluvie (an umbrella, lit. a block-rain), gardarobe (a wardrobe, lit. a guard-robe).
You might have noticed that properly applying the above derivation rules almost always produces existing international words with the same meaning. New ones can be made, as that happens consistently in natural languages. In the few cases where a regularly formed derivation form differs substantially from an existing international word, both forms are permitted. Examples:
noctal = nocturn
terral = terrestri (terrestrial),
cielal = celest (celestial)
patrin = paternal (paternal).
Here are some example of how international words are created by deduction and composition from simple elements in the derivation of Interlingue:
protecter = to protect (protect-er)
protectoratu = a protectorate (protect-or-atu)
protectoria = a house for orphans (protect-or-ia)
protection = protection (protect-ion)
protectionisme = protectionism (protect-ion-isme)
protectionist = protectionist (the person) (protect-ion-ist)
protectionistic = protectionistic (adjective) (protect-ion-ist-ic)
protectiv = protective (protect-iv)
star = to stand
stabil, instabil, stabilitá, ínstabilitá, stabilisar, stabilisation, stabilisator; station, stationar, stationari, stationario; state, statu, statue, statuarium, statuette, statuer, statute, statuari, static, statica; statist; statistic, statistica, statistico; stativ; statura; constar, constant; constantie, constatar; restar, restantie; distar, distantie; circumstar, circumstantie; etc.
Plus some others if one considers that the “-stituer” ending is also related to star: constituer, constitution, instituer, institute, institution, institutor, restituer, restitution, substituer, substitute, substitution,
“In facte, yo havet un drolli somnie just nu,” racontat un irlandeso. “Yo revat, que yo esset in Roma e visitat su Sanctitá, li Papa. Apen yo hat tappat sur li porta, quande il self apertet it. – ‘A, Pat, es it Vu, qui ha venit, o alquí altri?’ – ‘Advere, Vor honore, it es yo e nequí altri.’ – ‘Ples venir con me in li superior etage!’ il dit me. E ta esset un separat chambre, bellissim equipat, quel yo ne ha videt jamá. ‘Ples seder,’ dit su Sanctitá, ‘quo Vu vole?’ – Yo meditat durant un momente, e in fine yo dit: ‘Un glass de fort trincage.’ – ‘Deve it esser frigid o calid?’ – ‘Calid,’ yo respondet. E su Sanctitá departet por aportar li trincage, ma il esset absent tro long e interim yo avigilat me. Quam yo nu repente, que yo ne hat petit le dar me it frigid.”
apen = hardly, barely, just as
avigilar = to awaken
departer = to depart
droll(i) = funny
equipar = to equip
honore = honor
interim = meanwhile
jamá = ever, never
meditar = to meditate
Papa = Pope (note: papá = papa, daddy)
racontar = to tell (a story, etc.)
repenter = to repent
somnie = dream
tappar = to tap, to knock
trincage = a drink
Pri un cose noi omni concorda: ne existe plu abominabil erras quam tis del altres.
It es sovente plu facil pardonar un injurie quel noi ha causat a un altri hom.
Li opinion de mani autor es acceptat del publica – quande il self ha abandonat it ja de long.
Mani nómina se idealist: proque il vole viver ne por, ma per un idé.
Un conosset patriot ha dit: “Yo ne comprende que alcun hom vole nascer quam extraniano.”
On posse tacer pro divers motives: anc pro to que on have necos a dir.
Homes (anc Vu ha certmen constatat it) have plu de témpore, quande ili vole alquicos de nos, quam quande noi vole alquicos de ili.
A un yun mann, qui fanfaronat pri su saventies, un old mann dit: “Vu es felici, qui vive ancor in ti etá, quande on save omnicos.”
Quam ínprudent it vell esser, si noi vell dir a nor conossetes: “Yo have exact tant interesse por Vos quant Vu por me.”
Quande un hom di: “Un de nos erra,” yo save strax, quem il alude.
Certmen Vu conosse ti person, qui quande on parla pri un altri hom, comensa strax parlar pri se self.
Otto Weiss
abominabil = abominable
aluder = to alude
concordar = to agree
etá = age
fanfaronar = to boast, to talk up
injurie = injury, insult
mani = many a
tacer = to be silent (to say nothing)
ínprudent = imprudent, careless
“Ples pardonar me, Senior,” dit un tre seriosi aparent mann a un jolli hom, qui stat fumant un grand cigare sur li strada, “quant cigares Vu fuma in un die?”
“O,” su response esset, “fórsan quar o quin.”
“Quin cigares in un die fa triant quin in un semane, circa un cent quinant in un mensu, e plu quam mill ott cent in un annu. Ples supposir, que Vu vell har economisat omni ti moné, quel Vu ha expenset a tabac! Vu vell posser fórsan esser li possessor de ti bell micri dom, quel Vu vide ci a levul.”
“Esque it es Vor, mi Senior?”
“O no, yo ne possede un dom.”
“Esque Vu save, de qui it es?”
“No.”
“It es mi!”
Note
li mi, li vor etc. is also used.
a levul = on the left
fumar = to smoke
jolli = jolly
seriosi = serious
To quo yo time max mult, es li timore.
— Montaigne
Ti qui es fidel, conosse solmen li trivial láteres del amore. Solmen li ínfidel conosse li tragedies de it.
— O. Wilde
Existe international artistes qui nequande aprende un lingue perfect: ili es li nativ extranianos.
— Moszkowski
Li fanatisme es li sol fortie de vole quel anc li debiles e li íncertes posse manifestar.
— Nietzsche
Poc homes pensa, ma omnes vole haver opiniones.
— Berkeley
Un mann qui interprende viver per li favor del musas, yo vole dir, per su poetic talentes, apari me in alcun maniere quam un puella qui vive per su charmes.
— Schopenhauer
Dilettantes, dilettantes, talmen tis qui cultiva un scientie o un arte pro amore o joy pri it, pro lor delecte, es nominat con despecte de tis qui ocupa se pri ili pro profite, proque les delecte solmen li moné, quel es ganiabil per to.
— Schopenhauer
In mani landes on have ti opinion: tri ásinos constitue junt un inteligent hom. Ma to es profundmen fals: pluri ásinos in concret fa li ásino in abstract, e it es un horribil animale.
— Grillparzer
Un solari sistema es solmen un punctuat profil del mundan genie, ma un homan ocul es li miniatura del solari sistema.
— Jean Paul
animale = animal
constituer = constitute
debil = weak
despecte = scorn
fidel = faithful
interprender = to undertake
puella = girl
ásino = donkey, ass
Durant mi viage a Stockholm yo visitat anc li natur-historic muséo e yo esset vermen impressionat per li granditá opressiv del squelette del antediluvian iguanodon. Benque yo conosset teoricmen li dimensiones e li grandore de ti prehistoric gigant, li realitá superat omni imaginationes. Li longore del caude es tam grand, que it ne have spacie in li grand sala, ma on ha devet divider it e posir li detra-parte paralel al squelette.
Su altesse, li prince de S., intrat con mult grandesse in li sala del iguanodon, ma bentost il esset un modest micri hom apu li colossal animale. Un dama regardat li gigant e dit: “It es ínpossibil. Etsi un tal animal ha vivet, qualmen on posse saver su nómine?”
animale = animal
benque = even though
caude = tail
diluvie = flood
impressionar = to impress
spacie = space
superar = to surpass
viage = journey
In the preceding texts we have become very familiar with many of the pronouns in Interlingue. Let’s look at them as a whole.
yo, me = I, me
tu, te = you, you (singular and informal)
noi, nos = we, us
vu, vos = you, you (plural or formal)
il, le = he, him
ella, la = she, her
it, it = it, it
ili, les = they, them
mi = my
tui = your
su = his, her, its
nor = our
vor = your
lor = their
Se is used to form reflexive pronouns, and unaltru means “each other”.
Some examples:
Il da la su parol. = Il da su parol a ella. = He gives her his word.
Yo da te mi parol. = Yo da mi parol a te. = I give you my word.
Li diferentie inter me e te. = The difference between me and you.
Li diferentie inter mi e tui. = The difference between mine and yours.
Li nores victet li vores. = Ours (plural) beat yours (plural). If noi had had one and vu had also had had one, it would be expressed as Li nor victet li vor.
Yo es tua e tu es mio. = I am yours and you are mine (said by a woman to a man).
Ples far lu tui! = Please do yours! (remember lu = “the thing which is”).
Note that after prepositions the pronouns except me and te are in their subject form). This has long been a subject of discussion, with some preferring outright object forms (con le, a la, sin les) and others preferring the nominative (con il, con ella, con ili). But interestingly nobody has ever preferred the forms con yo, con tu, only con me, con te. Rule of thumb: always me and te, the others are up to personal preference. Whether the community will decide on one form over the other is tough to say: even English has yet to do so in cases such as “You are taller than me” (than + pronoun) vs. “You are taller than I” (short for “than I am”).
ti = this, that
tis = these, those
tal = such, such a
tales = such (plural)
to = that (in general)
tant = so much, so
ti is very general, which is why it is translated as both this and that. To add precision, add ci (here) or ta (there) after: ti ci (this), ti ta (that).
Ti du crayones es li mis: ti ci es curt e ti ta es long; ples prender tis. = These two pencils are mine: this one is short and that one is long: please take these.
Il es sempre tal. = He’s always like that.
Yo ama tal homes. = I like such people.
Vu ne ama tales? = You don’t like such (people)? (Here tales could be something else besides people as it is not specified)
To es ver. = That’s right.
To es tant ver. = That’s so right.
Interrogative and relative pronouns
qui? = who?
quem? = whom?
quel? = which?
qual? = how?
quo? = what?
quant? = how much?
Examples:
Qui es ta? It es yo. = Who is there? It’s me.
De qui es ti chapel? = Whose hat is this?
Quem tu dat li moné? = To whom did you give the money? (a qui is another way to say the same thing)
Quem Vu saluta? = Whom are you greeting?
Quem tu ama max mult? = Whom do you love the most?
Quel adresse Vu have nu? = What/which adress do you have now?
Qual es li aqua hodie, calid o frigid? = How is the water today, hot or cold?
Quo es to? = What is that?
The most used relative pronouns are quel (singular) and queles (plural). For people qui is also used in the singular and plural, and for objects and abstract things also quo.
Ti qui (or quel) es pigri ne fa progresse. = One who is lazy makes no progress.
Beat es tis qui (or queles) ne vide, ma támen crede. = Blessed are those who do not see, but believe.
It es un cose quel (not qui) yo ne comprende. = It’s something I don’t understand.
Yo ne comprendet to quo Vu dit. = I didn’t understand what you said.
Nor lingue fa un constant progress quo (= quel facte) tre joya me. = Our language makes constant progress, which much pleases me.
Qual compositor, tal musica. = As the composer, so the music.
Quant vive, tant espera. = As long as there is life, there is (that much) hope.
Note
Sometimes users of Interlingue do not bother to pluralize quel: tis, quel… instead of tis, queles. Queles in the plural is one of those words that looks more proper when used but not outright deserving of a correction when not.
Note that many of these are simply formed by prefixing al-, ne-, etc. to other existing pronouns. They are not accented.
on = one. This is used much more than in English, where it has a pompous feel (“Pardon me, where can one purchase a…”). In Interlingue it means “one”, “we”, “people”, “you” (a general “you”), and even forms the passive. In Italia on parla italian = one speaks Italian in Italy, we speak Italian in Italy, you speak Italian in Italy, Italian is spoken in Italy.
self = self
li sam = the same
alquí = somebody
alquem = (object) (to, on…) somebody.
alcun = some, any
alquó, alquicos = something, some thing
quelc = some (a few)
nequí = nobody
nequem = nobody (object)
nequó, necos = nothing, no thing
nequel, null = no (no water, no money…)
nequal = no (sort of)
nequant = no (quantity)
chascun = each
omni = any, all
altri = other
altricos = something else
pluri = several
mult = many
poc = few
un poc = a few
cert = certain
un cert = a certain
mani = many, many a
tot = all
-cunc = fixed to pronouns to give the sense of “whatever”. quicunc = whoever, quelcunc = whichever, quocunc = whatever. -cunc is not accented.
Note
Because al-, ne-, -cunc etc. are never accented, the pronouns are often written without accents (alquo instead of alquó, alqui instead of alquí).
These pronouns are easy to remember with sentences incorporating the same forms:
Quant vu have? Nequant. = How much do you have? Nothing.
Quant vu have? Alquant. = How much do you have? Some.
Qui veni? Quicunc. = Who’s coming? Whoever.
Qui veni? Nequí. = Who’s coming? Nobody.
Quo tu have? Nequó. = What do you have? Nothing.
Quem tu dat it? Nequem. = Who did you give it to? To nobody.
Qualmen tu fat it? Talmen. = How did you do it? Like that.
Examples:
Oh hom, conosse te self! = Oh human, know thyself!
In li sam témpore e in li sam loc, mi amíca. = At the same time and in the same place, my friend.
Si alcun fémina parla pri alquó, ella pensa pri alquí. = When some woman talks about something, she thinks about someone.
Chascun hom es forjero de su propri fortune. = Each person is the forger of his/her own fortune.
Ples dar me quelc libres, yo have quelc líber hores por leer! = Please give me some books, I have some free hours for reading.
Placer a omnes on ne posse, es arte, quel nequí conosse. = Pleasing all one cannot do, it is an art known by no one. (Note: in Interlingue it rhymes.)
Ja pluri annus yo vive in ti cité. = I have lived in this city for several years already. (Note: only the present tense is used here. Yo ha vivet is also acceptable)
Il have poc espera. = He has little hope.
Il have un poc de espera. = He has a little hope.
Yo conosse un cert senior Miller, ma yo ne es cert, esque il es ci. = I know a certain Mr. Miller, but I’m not certain if he is here.
It es tot egal, esque Vu vide li tot munde, o quelc partes de it. = It is all the same whether you see the whole world, or some parts of it.
Quicunc va venir, yo ne es in hem! = Whoever comes, I’m not at home!
Quocunc tu di, ples dir li veritá. = Whatever you say, please speak the truth.
Quelcunc labor vu fa, ples far it bon. = Whatever work you do, please do it well.
Si yo prende un parol ex un lingue, it va racontar me alcun cultur-historic facte. Lass nos, por exemple, prender li german parol “Infanterie.” Su form indica, que it es un parol pruntat ex li francesi lingue. Ergo li franceses deve har havet un cert influentie concernent li developation e organisation del german armés, altrimen on vell har conservat li genuin old german parol “Fußvolk,” usat ancor in li decisixesim secul. Ma li parol explica ancor plu. It di, que originalmen it deve har esset usat por un cert sorte del infanterie, a saver, por li guardie del Infante de Hispania. Li “Infante” de Hispania es identic con li international parol, e pro to anc de Interlingue, “infante,” originant del latin “infans,” quel es composit del prefix “in” (ne) e “fans” (parlant), to es, un hom, quel ancor ne posse parlar. Talmen yo veni in mi exploration a plu e plu lontan témpores e popules, e yo fini che li unesim conosset form e sense del parol, che li etimon. Li historie de un parol es un micri novelle, un excerpte ex un immensimen grand libre: li Historie del Homanité.
concerner = to concern
developar = to develop
etimon = etymon (a word root — cf. etymology)
excerpte = excerpt
genuine = genuine
indicar = to indicate
infante = infant
influentie = influence
lontan = far
pruntar = to borrow
To quo es necessi por elevar li spíritu, ne es to, que un hom save omnicos, quo ha esset pensat e scrit in relation al spiritual natura, ne es to, que un hom deveni un enciclopedie, ma to, que li grand idés, in quel omni decovritiones termina, queles summa omni scienties, queles li filosof extrae de ínfinit detallies, es comprendet e sentit. It ne es li quantitá, ma li qualitá de saventie, quel determina li dignitá del anima. Un mann de immens erudition posse pro su manca de larg e extensiv idés, esser mult plu inferior in intelectu quam un laborero, qui, con micri saventies, támen ha trovat grand veritás. Un grand anima es format per poc grand idés, ne per infinitá de íncoherent detallies. Yo ha conosset tre doct homes, qui apparet a me tre povri in intelectu, proque ili havet null grand pensas. Quo vale to, que un mann ha studiat quantcunc detalliat li histories de Grecia e Roma, si per li historic documentes li grand idés de libertá e bellitá e bravitá e spiritual energie ne ha flammat quam vivent foyes in su anima?
Channing
bravitá = bravery
determinar = to determine
elevar = to raise
erudition = erudition
larg = broad, wide
terminar = to end
Du yun juristes, Miller e Brun, visitat sovente li sam yun dama. Un véspere Miller esset sol con ella. Il dit in tendri ton:
“Esque Vu pensa, María, que Vu posse subitmen abandonar patre e matre, sestra e fratre, ti plesent, comfortabil dom, e emigrar in li savagi West con un yun jurist, qui posse viver solmen per su profession, e serchar ta un nov hem, in quel ambi posse esser felici?”
Inclinante su bell cap sur li epoles de Miller, ella chuchotat tendrimen: “Yes, yo pensa que yo posse, Arnold.”
“Bon,” dit Miller, “it es Brun, qui intente emigrar e desira un sponsa, yo va mentionar to a il.”
A un yun mann, qui sedet silent in un companie, Teophrástos, li famos grec filosof, dit: “Si Vu es folli, Vu acte sagimen; si Vu es sagi, Vu acte follimen.”
ambi = both
chuchotar = to whisper
emigrar = to emigrate
epol = shoulder
felici = happy
foll(i) = crazy
fratre = brother
intenter = to intend
matre = mother
savagi = wild
serchar = to search
sestra = sister
sponsa = spouse (female)
subitmen = suddenly
tendri = tender
Mem li deos combatte li stupiditá in van.
Li paroles es solmen vente – li erudition consiste solmen ex paroles – ergo li erudition es solmen vente.
— Swift
Li gazettes es li secund-indicatores del historie. Ma ili es sovente de plu ínnobli metalle quam li altri indicatores, e ea anc rarmen correct.
— Schopenhauer
Quande Pythagoras hat decovrit su conosset teorema, il aportat un hecatombe al deos. Desde to li boves treme, tam sovente quam un nov veritá es decovrit.
— Börne
Li majorité del homes lassa voluntarimen presser se in li carne li spine de un fals teorie, ma ili defende se per omni forties, si on vole denove extraer it.
— Pauly
From adjectives we can create adverbs by adding the ending -men. This ending does not change the stress:
Un prudent mann acte prudentmen. = A prudent man acts prudently.
When the meaning is clear, the adjective by itself may function as an adverb:
Il parla bon. = He speaks well (lit. good).
Li sole luce clar. = The sun shines clear(ly).
Another way to form an adjective is to use in maniere:
Il scri in elegant maniere. = He writes in an elegant manner.
Prepositions can be used to form adverbs: in (li) nocte = at night, in fine = finally, in general = in general, in ocasion = on occasion, per ocasion = by chance, etc.
Pronominal adverbs:
u? = where?
ci = here
ta = there
necú = nowhere
alcú = somewhere
partú = everywhere
supra = above
infra = below
extra = outside, besides
intra = inside
detra = behind
a(d) u? = to where?
a(d) ci = to here
a(d) ta = to there
adavan = forward
retro = backward
ad supra = upwards
a bass, ad infra = downwards
ex, ad extra = out from
in, ad intra = into
de u? = from where?
de ci = from here
de ta = from there
de supra = from above
de infra = from below
qualmen? = how? in what way?
talmen = in that way
tam = so (with an adjective or adverb following)
alquam = somehow
quande? = when?
tande = then (also alor)
unquande = once
apen = hardly
ne totmen = not entirely
totmen ne = not at all
fórsan = perhaps
junt = together
presc = almost
nequam = not at all
nequande = never
alquande = some time, ever
poc a poc = bit by bit, gradually
solmen = only
ya = indeed, well (strengthens the meaning somewhat)
yes! = yes!
no! = no!
ínterim = meanwhile
nu = now
strax = right away
bentost = soon
sovente = often
ja = already
jamá = (n)ever
sempre = always
antey = before
quant? = how many?
tant that many
nequant = none at all
alquant = a certain amount
poy = after
in ante = beforehand, in advance
depoy = from then
ancor = still
adplu, ulterior = furthermore
hodie = today
tre = very
tro = too
circa = around, circa
mult = many
ho-annu = this year
ho-témpore = these times
deman = tomorrow
posdeman = the day after tomorrow
yer = yesterday
anteyer = the day before yesterday
un poc = a bit
suficent = enough
vez = time (as in two times)
With the enclitic -cunc we get words like ucunc = wherever, quamcunc = however, as ever, quandecunc = whenever, etc.
Some more examples showing their function?
Qualmen Vu fa it? Talmen. = How do you do it? Like that.
Quam bell es li flore! = How beautiful the flower is!
Tam bell quam un flore. = As beautiful as a flower.
Plu bell quam un flore. = More beautiful than a flower.
Quam un rey. Quam rey. = Like a king. As king.
Quam Vu save, it es talmen. = As you know, that’s the way it is.
Quant homes esset ta? Tant quant yer. = How many people were there? As many as yesterday.
The most frequently used conjunctions are:
e = and
e … e = both … and …
o = or
o … o = either … or …
ni = not (stronger than ne)
ni .. ni = neither … nor …
sive … sive … = either … or …
ma = but
nam = for, because
támen = however
ergo, dunc, do = therefore, thus, etc.
plu … plu = the more … the more …
nu! = well!
vi = behold, here are
nu … nu = first … now the other (i.e. doing one thing and then the other)
There are also some subordinate conjunctions:
que = that (e.g. “He said that …”)
si = if
quam = as, like
esque, ca = whether, if (e.g. “I don’t know whether …”)
quasi = as if, quasi
benque = though, although
etsi = albeit, although
sam quam = same as
With quam and que together with other words we get a large number of conjunctions such as:
anteque (ante que) = before
posque (pos que) = after
proque (pro que) = because
porque (por que) = in order that
perque (per que) = in that (because of…)
Note
The que here is not translated as “that” in English but carries that sort of meaning. Point to take home: Having que means the parts of the sentence before que and after it can stand on their own. Examples of conjunctions with and without que to demonstrate the difference:
Il venit ante quin annus. = He came five years ago. (quin annus on its own is not a phrase)
Il venit ante que il hat trovat it. = He came before he had found it. (il hat trovat it on its own is a phrase)
Il laborat pro manca de moné. = He worked due to lack of money. (manca de moné is not a phrase)
Il laborat pro que il mancat moné. = He worked because he lacked money. (il mancat moné is a phrase)
Il luctat por su país. = He fought for his country. (su país is not a phrase)
Il luctat por protecter su país. = He fought to protect his country. (protecter su país is also not a phrase)
Il luctat por que su filies mey saver qui hat protectet lor país. = He fought so that his children would know who had protected their country. (su filies mey saver qui hat protectet lor país = may his children know who had protected their country — is a phrase!)
Li famosi unesim frase del Evangelium de Johannes cela un profund sense, anc si noi comprende it litteralmen. Nam solmen per su capabilitá expresser per paroles su intern traviventies, su observationes e sentimentes, su perceptiones e desiras e comunicar les, evenit li metamorfose del hom ex un animale, solmen li linguistic talent corona li hom quam li dómino del creaturas. Sin parol ne vell exister un clar notion, sin notion null pensation, sin lingue null alt spiritual vive. Nam li singul notiones, per li medie de queles li hom pensa, es strictissim ligat con cert paroles, un real, ver pensada sin paroles ne es possibil. Concedet que mani brevi pensation, mani actiones de vole eveni instinctiv o intuitiv, un plu alt spiritual vive, quel eleva se súper obscur fluctuationes de pur instinctes e perceptiones a plen claritá e libertá del conceptiv pensada, es e va esser connectet a linguistic capacitá. Omni spiritual valores li hom debi finalmen a su talent de articulat parlation. Novális di unquande in su aforismes: “Li grammatica es li dinamica del spiritual dominia. Un parol de comande move armés, li parol ‘libertá’ nationes.”
Quande li poet e li pensator vaga líber ad in li immens dominia de pensas, lor ales es li parol. Li parlant hom victe li circumant natura per li parol e quam creator forma per li parol su propri, subjectiv munde, in contraritá e quam contrast al sensualmen perceptibil fenomenes: li munde del spíritu – de su spíritu. On ha dit, que li hom es un hibride inter deo e animale, e yo vole dir que li paroles es li scalunes de ti scaliere celesti, along quel il prova grimpar súper lu pur animalic ad in li luce del spritualitá. De to seque anc, que li lingue da nos li fundament e li unesim base de omni cultura.
Güntert
Li lingual situation in li hodial Europa es paradoxal.
Li material civilisation, li scientie, e mem li arte unifica se plu e plu. Li cultivat europano senti se quasi in hem in omni landes queles have europan civilisation, it es, plu e plu, in li tot munde. Hodie presc omni states guerrea per li sam armes. Sin cessa li medies de intercommunication ameliora se, e in consequentie de to li terra sembla diminuer se. Un parisano es nu plu proxim a un angleso o a un germano quam il esset ante cent annus a un paisano francesi.
Li civilisation tende vers unitá.
It existe solmen un scientie, a quel li erudites de omni nationes contribue, partú on studia li sam problemas per li sam procedes, per li sam instrumentes. Li laboratorias de America e Japan labora pri li sam questiones quam tis de Europa. Li observatorias del tot munde prepara un carte de ciel, in quel ili execute chascun un parte. Un modern erudito es, si il vole o ne, li colaborator de omnes, qui in li tot munde cultiva li sam scientie. It existe, por chascun specialitá scientific, un micri comunité de erudites, qui, amicos o rivales, conosse unaltru, seque li activitá de unaltru e reacte un a li altri.
Li scientie, quel es un, domina un tecnica, quel anc es un. Chascun decovrition scientific change li procedes de fabrication e li conditiones de production. E omni nov procede de fabrication es rapidmen conosset in li tot munde.
Li aferes comercial es international. Li industries de un branche conclude cartelles trans li frontieras. Li bankes del tot munde es alliat per comun operationes.
Li ovreros ha sentit, que, in regard a lor patrones, ili have identic interesses. Li formul “Laboreros de omni landes, unia vos” ha evocat ecó in li classes de ovreros de omni landes.
Li rel-vias, li naves, queles fa possibil li relationes inter li homes, deve devenir simil, caus necessitá. Li postal servicie ha esset fortiat unificar se por conformar se secun li principies del union postal universal.
Li vestes deveni partú li sam. Li guerre ne ha impedit li feminin modes subir in li tot munde occidental presc li sam changes in li sam témpore.
Omnicos va uniformisar se.
Durant omni to li lingues, queles servi quam organes por li civilisation, es tre divers, ili deveni constantmen plu mult. Li conossenties del german, anglesi, hispan, francesi e italian ne sufice plu a tis queles vole sequer li currente del tot civilisation modern.
Chascun nation, quamcunc micri it es, vole haver su propri lingue de civilisation. Presc chascun nation de Europa ha obtenet autonomie e nu li conossentie de duant lingues ne sufice por sequer li civilisation de sol Europa.
Por experir li obstacules quel resulta de to, sufice transpassar un lingual frontiera. Por tis, doctos o practicos, qui deve sequer li currente del labor fat in li munde, li diversitá del lingues del civilisation complica li labor in un maniere íntolerabil. Li aprension de un scientie o tecnica deveni per chascun die plu laborosi, e li necessitá aprender divers lingues e sempre plu divers, adjunte un cargo, quel ne cessa far se plu e plu pesant.
In li sam gradu quam li civilisation deveni plu uniform, li lingues have a expresser li sam coses per materialmen diferent, ma paralel procedes. Li notiones ne varia con li paroles, queles expresse les. Li lingues de Europa per to quo ili expresse, tende a devenir li fidel calcationes de unaltru.
On save quel desfacilitás incontra un congress international pro li diversitá del lingues, ne solmen si it acte se pri un congress de homes con mediocri education, queles ne conosse foren lingues, ma anc li congresses de homes alt educat, nam quam rarmen ili ha havet témpore aprender parlar fluentmen un foren lingue! Li congresses de un partise, quam li socialistic, quel confesse internationalisme, es fat tre desfacil per li necessitá traducter omnicos in adminim du lingues, e li delegates del micri landes deve esser electet solmen inter tal homes, queles bon conosse un de ti lingues queles es usat in li congress. E it es ínevitabil haver un comun lingue por far possibil un ver discussion. Por ti scope on besona un lingue, quel es facilmen aprensibil e aplicabil e neutral. Solmen un lingue artificial responde a ti conditiones.
Li practic necessitá haver un lingue international es evident. E proque un tal lingue es possibil, it deve esser introductet tam bentost quam possibil.
(Secun A. Meillet, professore de Collège de France.)
Syntax in Interlingue is for the most part very similar to English, with some notable differences in places such as adjectives where they can also be placed after the noun (general rule of thumb: the longer the adjective, the more it feels right to place it after the noun). Some other small differences exist, some of which are seen in the following examples.
Li monument es plazzat avan li palace. = The monument is located (placed) before the palace.
Li judico es nominat Cadi che li arabes. = The Arabs call the judge Cadi (lit. the judge is named Cadi with the Arabs).
Il pensat sovente pri li felici témpore del yunesse. = He often thought about the happy times of (his) youth.
Tui amore e tui felicie eleva se avan me quam un etern aurora. = Your love and your happiness rise before me like eternal dawn. (Goethe.)
Li númere de spectatores hat crescet extremmen per arivas ex vicin districtes. = The number of spectators has grown greatly (extremely) by arrivals from nearby districts.
Yo ne save, esque yo ha fat bon. = I don’t know if I’ve done right.
Por scrir un bon lettre de amore, tu deve comensar sin saver quo tu vole dir, e finir sin saver quo tu ha dit. = To write a good love letter, you must begin without knowing what you want to say, and end without knowing what you have said. (Rousseau.)
The regular word order in Interlingue is:
1. Subject | 2. Predicate | 3. Object |
---|---|---|
Goethe |
ha scrit |
Faust. |
The same applies to subordinate clauses.
Note some important differences that take place when the word order is changed. Words such as anc, solmen, etc. quantify the word they stand in front of. The word ne also negates the word it stands in front of. Other examples: tro, and tre.
Yo ne va prender Vor libre. = I won’t take your book (but will leave it lying or do something else with it).
Ne yo va prender Vor libre. = I won’t take your book (somebody else will).
Yo va prender ne Vor libre. = I won’t take your book (I will take somebody else’s).
Vor libre yo ne prende. = I’m not taking your book (I’m doing something else with it, e.g. leave it lying).
Anc yo ama Vos. = I love you too (other people, including me, love you)
Yo ama anc Vos. = I love you too (I love other people, including you).
Solmen ella ride. = Only she is laughing (nobody else is).
Ella solmen ride. = She only laughs (she keeps laughing, she doesn’t something else).
Il tre regreta, que il have solmen poc euros. = He regrets having just a few euros.
More on the rule of thumb for adjectives: they tend to stand before the noun when they are short or refer to the character of the noun, and after when longer, less directly related, part of a subordinate clause, adding extra information, etc.
Li delicat caviare russ. = delicate Russian caviar.
Li lingue international. = The international language.
Ti mann, clar in su pensas e pur in su intentiones. = That man, clear in his thoughts and pure in his intentions.
Su patre e su matre hat fat omni arangeamentes necessi por su viage. = His/her father and mother had made all arrangements necessary for the trip.
Raporte aproximativ pri merces, important durant ti ci estive. = A summary report on goods (that are) important during this summer.
In the first two sentences above it is somewhat a matter of taste whether to say russ caviare or international lingue, though the word international being long feels a bit more right after the noun. The next three sentences however are much more clear cut (necessi-por-su-viage-arangeamentes would be odd).
Dependent clauses: note the same word order.
Il di, que il es malad. = He said that he is sick. (Il di + il es malad).
Il pensat, que yo hat ja venit. = He thought that I had already come. (Il pensat + yo hat ja venit).
Ella questionat, pro quo yo es tam felici. = She asked why I was so happy. (Ella questionat + yo es tam felici).
In sentences with questions (direct and indirect) that do not start with question pronouns (where, why…) or adverbs are usually formed with the general question word esque (lit. is that), but may be formed without it.
Esque Vu comprende me? = Do you understand me?
Ha Vu comprendet me? = Have you understood me?
Yo ne save, esque yo comprende Vos corect. = I don’t know if I understand you right.
Pensa Vu o dormi? = Are you thinking or sleeping?
Other options for esque in subordinate clauses are ca and si. The third setence could start with Yo ne save, ca… or Yo ne save, si ….
The difference between forming questions, wishes (optative phrases) and conditional sentences:
Esque ella hat conosset su matre? = Did she know her mother?
Mey ella har conosset su matre! = If (only) she had known her mother!
Si ella vell har conosset su matre, ella vell… = If she had known her mother, she would…
For the conditional you can add a in ti casu (in that case) if wished to translate English “then” (if she had known her mother, then she would have…), but vell on its own is always enough. Also note that in the conditional, both parts of the sentence use vell. This is like saying “if she would have known her mother she would have…”, because both parts are conditional. One does see the perfect past starting off these types of sentences from time to time, however: Si ella hat conosset su matre, ella vell har…
Where some languages use a preposition (especially a) before the subject of a verb and others don’t, Interlingue prefers to not use them. Rule of thumb: if in doubt, try going without a preposition if the meaning is still clear.
The same goes for reflexive verbs (verbs using se). English uses them infrequently but still does in some places such as “I’m going to find myself something to eat” which would be written Yo va trovar alquó a manjar and not Yo va trovar me alquó a manjar.
Yo mersia Vos (not a Vos). = I thank you.
Ples auxiliar li (not a li) povri mann. = Please help the poor man.
Il menaciat su ínamicos. = He threatened his enemies.
Yo memora li cose tre bon. = I remember it (“the thing”) very well.
Il prepara por un viage. = He is preparing for a voyage.
To il solmen imagina. = He just imagines it.
Yo es conscient pri to. = I’m aware of that.
Yo tre joya vider Vos. = I’m very happy to see you.
Yo senti dolore; yo regreta. = I’m sorry; I regret that…
Yo repente. = I’m sorry (“I repent that…”)
Yo senti calore; yo cale. = I’m hot.
Yo senti frigore; yo frige. = I’m cold.
Yo senti fame. = I’m hungry.
Yo senti sete. = I’m thirsty.
Yo successat far it. = I was able to do it.
On dansat e ludet. = We/they/one danced and played.
Note
The above phrases are ones that in the original German are rendered with reflexive verbs in German; fortunately, English does not use them nearly as much.