TGV/MGV - Lesson 21
Ba-|Iyi-Gol-Vuhlkansu - Tupa 21

GENDER-SPECIFIC NOUNS
Guv-Kozauk Vel-Zhitlar

This lesson has to do with the use and formation of gender-specific nouns in Golic Vulcan. Most nouns in Golic Vulcan have a gender-neutral form which is used under most circumstances in normal speech. But, occasionally, it may be necessary to clearly show that the subject of the noun is of a specific gender. In Golic Vulcan, this is done very easily. For this lesson, we will use the word "savensu" (teacher) for demonstration.


Male-Specific Nouns
Sa-Kozauk Vel-Zhitlar

The male-specific form of nouns is formed by prefixing "sa-" to the noun being modified. Therefore, when you want to say that the teacher is a male teacher, the Golic Vulcan would be "sa-savensu". And, of course, there is the honorific form of nouns to consider. The honorific male-specific noun prefix is logically "osa-". From that we would get "osa-savensu" (honored male teacher). If you are talking about a group of all male teachers, you can show this with "sa-savensular" or "osa-savensular". If there is a mix of genders or asexual/non-corporeal beings are included, you must use "savensular" and "osavensular".


Female-Specific Nouns
Ko-Kozauk Vel-Zhitlar

The female-specific form of nouns is formed by prefixing "ko-" to the noun being modified. Therefore, when you want to say that the teacher is a female teacher, the Golic Vulcan would be "ko-savensu". The honorific female-specific noun prefix is logically "oko-". From that we would get "oko-savensu" (honored female teacher). If you are talking about a group of all female teachers, you can show this with "ko-savensular" or "oko-savensular". If there is a mix of genders or asexual/non-corporeal beings are included, you must use "savensular" and "osavensular".


Important Note about Asexual, Multi-Sexual and Non-Corporeal Beings
Yauluhk Pitoh na'Riguv- - Wehk-Guv- heh Ri-Vukhut-Hasular

Never use a gender-specific noun when dealing with any of the asexual, multi-sexual or non-corporeal beings you may encounter! This can cause great embarrassment or insult to the being(s) involved. Always use gender-neutral nouns when referring to these beings, like "savensu|lar|" and "osavensu|lar|".



There are no exercises for this lesson.


The student is encouraged to experiment creating gender-specific nouns from words in the dictionaries.

This lesson was put online on
September 5, 2004.
and updated on
January 9, 2005.




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