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Deadjectival complemented nouns
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Nouns corresponding to adjectives form yet another subclass of nouns. For example, the noun kwaaiheid angriness corresponds to the adjective kwaai angry.

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Deadjectival nouns are nouns which may be related to a corresponding adjective because of their similarity in form. For example, the noun nuuskierigheid curiousness may be related to the adjective nuuskierig curiosity.The most common affix in Afrikaans to nominalise an adjective, is -heid, but affixes like -iteit (for example intens/intensiteit intense/intensity), -te (dik/dikte thick/thickness) and -me (for example sinies/sinisme cynical/cynicism) are also used (Ponelis 1979:486). Two pairs of examples are given below. In the first pair of examples the affix -heid is used to nominalise the adjective verantwoordelik responsible to the noun verantwoordelikheid responsibility. In the second pair, the affix -te is used to nominalise the adjective stil silent to the noun stilte silence.

1
a. Sy is verantwoordelik vir die bestuur van die Klub.
she be.PRS responsible for the manage of the Club
She is responsible for managing the club
VivA-KPO
b. Dan het sy nog die verantwoordelik·heid van twee kleinkinders in haar sorg.
then have.PRS she still the responsible·NMLZ of the two grandkids in her care
Then she still has the responsibility to take care of two grandkinds
VivA-KPO
c. Dit is stil in die biblioteek.
it be.PRS quiet in the library
It is quiet in the library.
VivA-KPO
d. Daar is stil·te in die kombuis
there be.PRS silent·NMLZ in the kitchen
There is silence in the kitchen
VivA-KPO
References
  • Ponelis, F.A1979Afrikaanse sintaksis.Van Schaik
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