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From: "Paul J. Kriha" <kriha_p@actrix.gen.nz>
Subject: Re: International Language.
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Date: Tue, 10 Jan 1995 13:18:05 GMT
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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.

Ugh. I am trying. I am trying...

Typical Slavic example in support of the original premise:

  "pan doktor"       =  a (Mr.) doctor
  "pani' doktorova"  =  a wife of a doctor
  "pani' doktorka"   =  a (Mrs.) doctor
  "slec^na doktorka" =  a (Miss) doctor
  "pani' doktor"     =  an old style respectful reference 
                        to a female doctor

It is a sign of extra respect when a female doctor is
referred to with the masculine "doktor". It doesn't
usually cause confusion since the surrounding
nouns/verbs/adjectives make it clear that she is
a female. Today it sounds slightly archaic.

And this one:

  "prostitut"   = a male prostitute
  "prostitutka" = a female prostitute

 (fem. derived again with the usual -ka)

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"  :-)

Have, I really found one?
Would other languages have similar irregularities
related to the oldest profession.  :-)

Paul JK









