Mutation Rules

Mutations

First State or Radical

The first state is where the original word remains unmodified in its form

Rules for States 2, 3, 4 and 5

State 2 (The Soft Mutation) - Lenition

Previously we have looked at the soft mutation (State 2). This applies to words following a feminine noun (benyn² dha “a good woman”), feminine nouns after “an” (the definite article) (an² venyn “ the woman”) and plural masculine nouns relating to people (tus² gref “ strong people”).

In addition we notice that “un” (one) (un² venyn “one woman”) and “dew” (two) (dew² dhen “two men”) also mutate the following word if it is feminine singular  or masculine plural relating to people. 

Some particles also cause a state 2 mutation e.g. (my a² welas “I see” or my na² welas “I do not see”)

Some other words, particularly pronouns “dha” (your) (dha² jy “your house”) and “y” (his) (y² gath “his cat”) cause a soft mutation, as do some prepositions such as “a” “of” “war” “dhe” “heb”.

Finally Pajer (four) has the feminine form Peder to be used with feminine nouns, and Mil (1,000) causes a soft mutation

So, in summary State 2 occurs

·        After “an” for feminine singular nouns and masculine plural relating to people ( which makes the “Soft Mutation” the odd man out as gender can make a difference as to whether mutations are applied.

·        After some particles (a, ny, na)

·        After possessive pronouns (dha & y)

·        After important functional words (mainly prepositions)

·        In numbers un², dew², and mil² causing a following mutation

State 3 – Aspirate

This mainly happens:

·        After the possessive pronouns ow³ (my), hy³ (hers) and aga³ (theirs)

·        After tri³ and teyr³ (masculine and feminine forms of three)

This mutation is independent of gender of any nouns involved

State 4 – Hard 

Mostly you will find this mutation in secondary clauses after mar “if” and the present participle “ow” ( -ing) “ow⁴ qwil” (doing), “ow⁴ colhy” (washing)

This mutation is independent of gender of any nouns involved

State 5 – Mixed 

This occurs after “yn” the adverbial particle meaning “-ly” “yn tyen” (completely) “yn teffri” (really), and after the verbal particle “y” (that) “my a² welas y⁵  teth ef” (I saw that he had come)

This mutation is independent of gender of any nouns involved.

 

 

 

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