Derivation is the fundamental principle of linguistic development, comprising three modes, viz., Addition, Mutation and Omission.

(a) General Forms

i. Additions

     Formative additions to roots:

     e.g. tiru-tirundu, to become right, correct or refined, to be          cultivated or cultured.

         mu‰mu‰ugu, to sink, to be immersed.

     Amplification of themes or stems:

     e.g. tolai-tolaiccu, to kill, destroy; to exhaust.kidai-kidaiccu, pith.

         Gemination or Reduplication of consonants:

     e.g. pagu-pakkam, side, page.

         e‰udu-e‰uttu, writing, letter.

         pƒdu-pƒ——u, song.

         e–-e––am, thought.

         ko˜-ko˜˜ai, plunder.

The three kinds of paragoge:

     e.g. prosthesis: a‰a‰ta‰al, fire.

         a˜ƒvu-va˜ƒvu, to mix, as cold water with hot water.

         uru˜-suru˜, to coil.

         ,,–-s„n, distance, altitude.

Epenthesis: kƒdam-kƒvadam, a distance of ten miles.

           paravar-paradavar, trading fishermen.

           ilagu-ilaŒgu, to shine.

           piŠagu-piŠƒkku, backwards.