Kafumi.

Jan. 22nd, 2002 01:00 pm
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There is a text I've been reading through called Evolution Is Proof of Life, about how the Esperanto language has evolved in the century since it has been invented, and how it proves beyond a doubt that Esperanto is, in fact, a living language. Among these examples are the familiar quality of words that use the "wildcard" suffix -um-, which has no meaning of its own, but pretty much mean "something related to this word that would make sense in this context." Or, perhaps, "start at this meme and take ten paces." My favorite example given is that for kafumi:
Quantitatively, that [-umi] suffix is not very productive, but it is qualitatively. While it does not give birth to many words, those it creates usually have a particular flavor, which makes them especially pleasing to the members of the Esperanto community. To say kafumi (< kaf- 'coffee'), a rather frequent word in sessions and conferences, is something quite different from 'to have a cup of coffee'. It evokes an atmosphere of friendship, of relaxation, of well-being which other phrases lack entirely. If those connotations are absent, you will simply say trinki kafon or kaftrinki. Kafi is also heard, but its atmosphere is less friendly, less warm than kafumi.
Now I just feel like searching the web for a list of all Esperanto words that use -um-.

Date: 2002-01-22 12:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pootrootbeer.livejournal.com
-um- is an infix, not a suffix!

PLONKUMI!

Date: 2002-01-22 02:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pentomino.livejournal.com
Neniom tranokteblecon por vi!

Date: 2002-01-22 02:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pootrootbeer.livejournal.com
VI SUX!

EMACS ROXoR

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