dirigeras

Dirigeras is a term used in linguistic theory and worldbuilding to denote a hypothetical verb-form category that encodes directive speech acts. It is not an established feature of any real language, but it is discussed in typological and conlang contexts as a way to model how languages could mark directiveness, command, or instruction through verbal morphology.

Etymology and conception: The word is coined from the Latin dirigere “to direct,” combined with a suffix commonly used in constructed-language grammars to flag a particular mood or category. In discussions, dirigeras is treated as a specialized marker that can attach to a verb stem to indicate that the utterance is directed as an instruction or command from the speaker to one or more addressees.

Morphology and syntax: In proposed models, dirigeras appears as a suffix or affix on the main verb, sometimes integrated with person, number, tense, or aspect markers. The exact form and placement can vary in different conlang grammars or typological simulations. Some analyses view dirigeras as a mood-like feature that interacts with evidentiality or deontic modality to convey the speaker’s stance and the force of the directive.

Semantics and use: The primary function of dirigeras is to foreground directive force—such as commands, instructions, or requests—while allowing additional nuance about directness, authority, or urgency. In worldbuilding or typological exercises, it serves as a tool to explore how directive meaning could be encoded grammatically.

See also: imperative mood, directive markers, illocutionary force, conlang grammar, verb mood.