2 Morphology

Section 2

**Number:** - Singular — unmarked

### 2.1 Core Principle

> **Rule:** Lexical roots are **category-flexible** and appear without obligatory part-of-speech suffixes. Grammatical role is carried by fixed word order and invariant postpositions.

### 2.2 Word Classes by Position

| Position               | Interpretation |
|------------------------|----------------|
| Nominal position       | noun           |
| Clause-final predicate | verb           |
| Before a noun          | adjective      |
| Before a verb          | adverb         |

### 2.3 Nominal Morphology

**Number:**

- Singular — unmarked
- Plural — optional suffix `-s`

**Special cases:**

| Case                | Rule                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|---------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Roots ending in `s` | Zero plural — singular and plural forms are identical. The `*-ss` sequence is phonotactically forbidden. Number is inferred from context or a numeral modifier.                                                                             |
| Mass nouns          | Domain and semantic particles used as standalone abstract roots (`fos`, `as`, `men`, `ti`, `iro`, etc.) are mass/collective by default and do not take `-s`. When individuation is required, use a numeral modifier or classifier compound. |