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skyt-
quickinfo

The prefix skyt- derives nouns from nouns, often diminutives. It has a strongly affective, disqualifying or diminishing function. An example is kerweike odd job > skytkerweike very odd job.

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[+]General properties

The prefix skyt- forms nouns on the basis of other nouns. It evaluates the base noun and so is, like rot-, disparaging and strongly affective. On top of that, it generally has a diminishing function. It is often added to diminutives. Because of this, the use of skyt- is more restricted than the use of rot-. Examples of prefix derivations with skyt- are listed below:

Table 1
Base form Derivation
eintsje small distance skyteintsje very small distance
bytsje bit skytbytsje little bit
lytsbytsje little bit skytlytsbytsje tiny little bit
kerweike odd job skytkerweike very odd job
bedrach sum skytbedrach small sum
gonkje calm pace skytgonkje very calm pace
merakel miracle skytmerakels excuses, rubbish
sleatsje small ditch skytsleatsje very small ditch
The prefix is related to the verb skite to shit or the related noun skyt shit, and has therefore been grammaticalized to a prefixoid. Compare also English shit or German Scheiße. A synonym of skyt- is stront-.

[+]Phonological properties

The prefix is pronounced as [skit]. In derivations the stress is on the prefix, for example in SKYTgonkje very calm pace.

extra
Literature

This topic is based on Hoekstra (1998:70).

References
  • Hoekstra, Jarich1998Fryske wurdfoarmingLjouwertFryske Akademy
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