Page:An Ainu-English-Japanese dictionary (including a grammar of the Ainu language).djvu/640

82 THE GENDER OF NOUNS.

Gender is sometimes designated by a different word; as:—

When an object has no special masculine or feminine form, as for instance, “a bird” (cock or hen), or , “dog” or “bitch,” and it should be necessary to specify to which sex it belongs, the words ,” [sic] “male,” and , “female,” “ [sic]are placed before it; thus:—

For human beings and gods, however, or, “male,” take the place of.

THE NUMBER OF NOUNS.

The number of the noun is, in the case of animals, generally indicated by the context or verb, and is therefore mostly left unexpressed by any addition to the noun. Thus,, “baby” or “babies”; , “man or “men.” However, when it is necessary to express plurality , , or is used. e.g.

[The word is analyzed thus— a plural prefix meaning “mutual”;, “appendages.” Hence  is really “comrades.”]