Nussuffix

Nussuffix is a term used in linguistic descriptions of the constructed language Nus to denote a derivational suffix that forms diminutive or affectionate nouns from base nouns and adjectives. It is one of several productive suffixes in Nus and is frequently employed to convey closeness, familiarity, or small size. The name combines the language identifier Nus with the notion of a suffix.

Morphology and usage: The basic form is -nuss, added directly to the end of the base word. In practice, phonological adjustments may occur to preserve ease of pronunciation, yielding occasional allomorphs such as -nussa or -nussi depending on the final sound of the base. Semantically, nussuffix generally creates affectionate or diminutive derivations and can also function in the formation of nicknames or pet forms. It can attach to both nouns and adjectives, but it does not typically convert verbs into derived forms.

Examples:

- kura (dog) + nuss → kuranuss, meaning “doggy” or “little dog.”

- ami (friend) + nuss → aminuss, meaning “dear friend.”

- tiv (child) + nuss → tivnuss, meaning “little child” or a term of endearment for a child.

Usage and relation: Nussuffix is described as a derivational, non-productive in strict syntactic terms beyond its primary function of affection and diminutives within Nus. It contrasts with more neutral suffixes that form generic nouns, by imparting affective or diminutive nuance. In typological discussions, nussuffix is cited as an example of how constructed languages encode social meaning through morphology and how such devices differ from diminutive systems in natural languages. It is primarily of interest to conlang communities and linguistic studies of constructed languages rather than to natural-language typology.