Description:

The suffix -ka has three forms, -ka, -ca, and -kija. They derive a thematic term (that is a noun-like term that has one of the thematic roles in a verb) from another term that is interpreted as a verb. They correspond to the absolutive, ergative and dative cases, respectively.

The closest English glosses are -er and -ee, but they do not work entirely as expected, because the actual role of the derived  term will be based both on the case the form of the suffix corresponds to and the paradigm of the verbal term it is attached to.

The example of 'hitajka' (sleeper) versus of 'zeulka', 'that which is examined' shows how the interpretation of the suffix depends on the paradigm of the verbal term to which it is attached - 'hitaj' is an intransitive pali verb, so the -ka suffix has a meaning more like '-er', but 'zeul' is a transitive skurun verb, so the -ka suffix has a meaning more like -ee.

These suffixes obey the normal phonological rules of Common, so the onset consonant would be unvoiced as appropriate for the environment. They are shown as voiced because in most cases they will be.

The thematic suffixes combined with other derivational affixes to form common idiomatic meanings. In particular, where Common has no non-finite werb forms, thematic terms can serve as a substitute.

Derived Forms

Thematic Modifiers: -kas, -cas, -kijas

This derivational class is formed simply by taking a derived thematic term and then applying the suffix -(y)s to it to make it into a modifier. These fiorms are extremely common idomatically and they are used a lot in places where other languages might use a non-finite verb form. For example:

A pocuk noxa triju ija hitajkas pikki.
The(ABS) child go(P.IM) see the(DAT) sleep-EXP-MOD cat.

'The child saw the sleeping cat.'

These modifiers are usually modifiers of manner when used with noun phrases. In general, they are almost always used with noun phrases, although idiomatic use as adverbs is not unheard of.

Abstract Quality Term: -(y)syn, -kasyn, -casyn, -kijasyn

These suffixes turn a regular term into a term that implies the abstract quality or state of being associated with the term. They work like suffixes '-ness', '-hood', '-ship', etc in English. Compare to the use of '-pali', 'stand', as an compounding element to derives terms of state. Starting from the original term, if the term has more of a verbal sense, or the speaker wants to interpret it in a verbal sense, a thematic term is first derived with -ka, -ca, or -kija. Otherwise the base term is used. Then the term is derived into a modifier with -(y)s. Finally, the modifier is derived back into a term with -(y)n. The -(y)syn version of this type of derivation obeys the exact same 'y' dropping rules as the other suffixes above. An example of the derivatioon sequence from 'jusal', a term which can be used as a noxaj verb meaning to want or desire:

1. jusal + -kiya > jusalkija: 'desired thing'
2. jusalkija + -(y)s > jusalkijas ['ju.zal.gi.jas]: 'desirable'
3. jusalkijas + (y)n > jusalkijasyn ['ju.zal.gi.ja.zən]: 'desirability'