Page:A dictionary of the language of Mota.djvu/17

Rh of the two is one which has no special substantival termination there is no change; where there can be an independent termination, i, iu, ui, there is no cause in this composition for its occurrence; but where the word ends in a this vowel in words so constructed is lightened to e. Thus mata the true form, matai in independent form, mate tanun a man's eye; nonomia a verbal substantive, nonomie tanun, man's thought; sinaga, a word with no special form, sinage tanun, man's food.

The same construct form is rarely used where there is no possessive relation; moe gene, a chief thing.

There is here an appearance of inflexion, but no true inflexion.

4. Prefixes to Nouns. There are two instrumental prefixes, i 4. and ga 3. with which verbs become substantives; ras to bale, iras a baler; pulut to stick, gapulut glue. The latter, ga, is also prefixed to words other than verbs, but rarely.

5. Number. The Noun itself has no number. If there be no sign of plurality it must not be thought that the word is in the singular number; if particularly meant to be singular tuwale, one, must be added.

The Plural of Nouns is marked by Reduplication, (see below), by (a) a plural sign, and by (b) a prefix.

(a) The sign in common use is nan; ima, house, ima nan houses. This is by no means the equivalent of the English plural in s; there must be a considerable number definitely in view to make the use appropriate. The collective noun taure is rarely used.

(b) The Prefixes ra, re, are used when persons are spoken of in regard to age and relationship; re of the class, ra of certain persons; o retamtamai the fathers as a class in the village; ratamak my fathers, uncles, etc.

The Personal Pronoun shews the same ra in the 3rd Person Plural. In the expression ira ta Mota, the Mota people, ira may be called a Pronoun; but ira before a person's name signifies that person and those with him; i Qarat, as above, ira Qarat, Qarat and his company; and here ira is the plural Personal Article.

6. There is no Gender; the adjectives mereata, tavine, or vavine, are added when the word does not itself shew sex.

7. Reduplication. Either (1) the whole word is reduplicated; vatvat stones; or (2) the first syllable; nanatiu children; or (3) the first syllable closed by the succeeding consonant; ranranoi legs. The effect of Reduplication is to express number and size; with the closed syllable (3) rather intensity and exaggeration; gate ranranona! what legs he has!

Reduplication in the name of a plant signifies that it is wild or useless; matig, metigtig; qeta, qetaqeta.

V..

1. Personal Pronouns are in two distinct forms; (a) those which are used as the subject or object of a Verb; (b) those which are suffixed to Nouns substantive.