Aspect

All lexemes in Qohenje vary for aspect, whether they are functioning as verbals or nominals. The seven aspects are marked by consonant and tonal alterations on a single syllable of the lexeme, called the aspect syllable (see declensions).
Qohenje lexemes exhibit a more complex core semantic structure than English lexemes. While English lexemes are essentially denotative, as represented by de Saussure in the image of the signe linguistique (left), the Qohenje lexeme entails not only a basic denotation, but also a developmental state. It is hence a tripartite relation, unlike the Saussurian binary structure.

The developmental specification — the aspect — entails information about the “maturity” of the signified entity with respect to the time of speaking (always present in spoken language; relative to the narrative anchor in written language).

In English, aspects apply only to verbal relations, giving us the difference between completed and continuous tenses (for instance). In Qohenje, aspects apply to all lexemes, and give information about the applicability of criterial attributes of the signified entity in terms of their natural temporal evolution. For instance, in the image given above, not only has “(mature) tree” as its referent, but also specifies that the particular referent (in the usage event where the word is employed) can be imagined with all its important criterial attributes in place and valid at the time of speaking (= the normal aspect, see below), i.e. “a real, prototypical mature tree, alive, healthy, etc.”

An aspectual change (to completed aspect, for instance, ) still has the referent “(mature) tree”, but entails that its criterial attributes are, at the time of speaking, finished/past/worn-out/over/no longer applicable. These abstract specifications of course result in specific entailments with given lexemes, and in the case of , the normal sense is a dead tree. In its projected aspect ( ), the normal entailment is “sapling, seedling”.

The seven aspects

Six of the Qohenje aspects form a set with on one side, the three "normative" aspects, and on the other, their three "aberrant" companions. The respective forms of are shown for comparison.

"Normative" aspects		"Aberrant" aspects
Normal [NOR]: Shows that the referent of the lexeme has its major criterial characteristics intact at the time of reference (Present, or else as defined by the verbal auxiliary).		Abnormal [ABN]: Shows that the attributes of the referent are odd, atypical, incomplete or disturbed in some significant way at the time of reference.
Completed [COM]:Shows that the criterial attributes of the referent are exhausted, finished, no longer valid, over or otherwise expired.		Enduring [END]: Shows that the criterial attributes of the referent would normally be exhausted, finished, etc., but are not, against expectation.
Projected [PRO]: Shows that the criterial attributes of the referent are pending, not fully developed, potential, foreseen or expected.		Delayed [DEL]: Shows that the criterial attributes of the referent are not yet fully established, against expectation (they should or would normally be.)

The seventh aspect, Aorist [AOR] does not indicate a developmental state at all, but rather divorces the referent from any specific condition, and hence stands as a kind of generic reference, closer in fact to the binary (purely denotative) arrangement of English lexemes. Despite the conceptual similarity of the aorist form to the English conception of lexical status, the “base” form in Qohenje is the NOR aspect.

When applied to verbals, exactly the same developmental conditions are implied. The lexeme means “currently in the process of fighting” in its verbal guise, while its projected form means “preparing to / about to fight”. The effect of the lexical aspect system on tenses will be discussed in the section on Verbals.

Examples (links to more detailed sections)

In the first example, the verbal is in the NOR aspect, and shows a normal act of thinking. The second example contains the NOR nominal which indicates a normal road or pathway.

In the second example, the verbal is in the COM aspect, and shows an act of thinking characterised as over or finished. The second example contains the COM nominal which indicates a road or pathway that is no longer used, or no longer usable. This could be for any reason (neglect, damage, natural disaster...).

The two examples above contain END aspects: shows an act of thinking which is still in progress against expectation. This would be said of something that has taken longer than expected to resolve or consider; indicates a road or pathway that is still in use, against expectation (i.e. very old, or having survived some manner of destructive event such as a landslide, or a bombardement).

These two examples contain DEL aspects: shows an act of thinking which is yet to be undertaken, despite an expectation that it would have been already, while indicates a road or pathway that is still unfinished, despite an expectiation that is would already have been completed.

The two PRO aspects show anticipation or simple expectation: shows an act of thinking which is anticipated or expected. PRO verbals translate quite naturally as future tenses in European languages. is a road or pathway that is planned, or that is possible or conceivable but that does not actually exist yet.

The ABN aspect is the counterpart of the NOR aspect, indicating something that is not right: shows an act of thinking which is disturbed, unusual or inappropriate. is a road or pathway that is odd, bizarre, dysfunctional or otherwise unusual.

The AOR aspect shows generalisations or global truths: shows an act of thinking which is habitual, permanent or otherwise "out of time". AOR verbals are often translatable as habitual verbs. is a general, or generic reference to roads. Often translated in English as a generic plural.