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From: "Paul J. Kriha" <kriha_p@actrix.gen.nz>
Subject: Re: International Language.
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Date: Wed, 11 Jan 1995 11:10:55 GMT
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deb5@ellis.uchicago.edu (Daniel von Brighoff) wrote:
>
> In article <D26yA6.vD@actrix.gen.nz> "Paul J. Kriha" <kriha_p@actrix.gen.nz> writes:
> >deb5@ellis.uchicago.edu (Daniel von Brighoff) wrote:
> > 
> >> If you know of a European language possessing specifically feminine
> >> agent nouns *not* derived from the corresponding masculine forms,
> >> please share.  If there are some, I'd like to know more about them.
> 
> [some exaples deleted]
> 
> >BUT, what about this one:
> >
> >  "kurva"    = a whore/harlot
> >the only masculine agent equivalent is
> >  "kurevnik" = a man who goes out with whores
> >               (i.e. he is not a male whore)
> >               (grammatically derived from "kurva")
> >
> >It looks as if there must have been "kurva" first 
> >before there could have been a "kurevnik"  :-)
> 
> Keep in mind that not all nouns denoting the practitioner of 
> a profession are agent nouns.  Agent nouns are derived from
> verbs and denote the performer of the action described by the
> verb.
> 
> Under this definition, "kurva" probably doesn't qualify (is there
> a verb "kurvovat"?).  It belongs to the same class as z^ena and
> dcera, i.e. non-agentative nouns denoting female persons.

There is a related verb. It is "kurvit" which means
(a) to associate with harlots
(b) to make a mess of things
etc..

I think you are right. I half expected it to be fools gold. 
On reflection, it's probably the verb which is
derived from "kurva" and not the other way around.

You mentioned "z^ena".  There is a verb "z^enit" or
"oz^enit se" (= to marry a woman) which is definitely
derived from "z^ena".  Obviously "z^ena" (woman) and
"z^enich" (groom) are not agent nouns of "oz^enit se"
(to marry a woman)  :-)))

Paul JK


> A valiant effort though!  
> 
> >Have, I really found one?
> >Would other languages have similar irregularities
> >related to the oldest profession.  :-)
> 
> A lot do, at least in Western Europe, presumably because (the
> Romans notwithstanding) female prostitution has always been 
> more culturally accepted here than male prostitution.  
> 
> 
> -- 
> 	 Daniel "Da" von Brighoff    /\          Dilettanten
> 	(deb5@midway.uchicago.edu)  /__\         erhebt Euch
> 				   /____\      gegen die Kunst!

