Part 2 (1/2)

p.r.o.nOUNS.

The p.r.o.nouns may be cla.s.sified as (A) those used as the subject of a verb; (B) those suffixed to a verb or a preposition as object; (c) those suffixed to nouns substantive and denoting possession.

A. p.r.o.nOUNS USED AS THE SUBJECT OF A VERB.

Singular: (1) _inau, naut gu_.

(2) _ioe, oe, o_.

(3) _inia, niat nit e_.

Plural: Inclusive: (1) _igia, gia; igolu, golu_.

Exclusive: (1) _igami, gami, mi; igamelu, gamelu_.

(2) _igamu, gamu; igamolu, gamolu_.

(3) _igera, gera, da; idalu, dalu_.

Dual: Inclusive: (1) _igoro, goro_.

Exclusive: (1) _igamere, gamere_.

(2) _igamoro, gamoro_.

(3) _idarot daro_.

1. The longer forms, those with _i_, are used as possessive p.r.o.nouns when the suffixed p.r.o.noun can not be added: _geni inau_ my wife.

The forms with _i_ are never used by themselves as the subject, but are accompanied by one of the shorter forms: _igera da ada ma da si ada na_ they see but do not see. The three longer forms in the singular are of more or less infrequent use. The initial _i_ is run on to the preceding vowel in p.r.o.nunciation.

2. All the forms without _i_ are used alone as the subject of the verb. Where there are three forms the second and third are generally used together as subjects: _gami mi langi si saetamana_ we do not know; but the short forms _gu_, _o_, _mi_, _mu_, _da_, may be used alone as subjects: _gu si saea_ I do not know. The forms in _lu_ are not used as a trial number, but denote a more restricted number of persons.

3. _Nia_ is used as meaning, there is, it is: _efita fe bread nia agamolu_, how many loaves have you? It may be used before a proper name as the equivalent to a genitive: _ana maaedangi nia Abiathar_ in the days of Abiathar. When the meaning is, there is, it is, _nia_ is preceded by _e_: _na liqa gera enia ada_ they have their holes; _ma te ai enia i luma_ there is only one person in the house; with _na_ demonstrative added: _nia na_ that is it, that is so.

4. The form _ni_ is seen in _nifai_ what? where? It occurs in certain phrases as meaning, it is, there is: _e uta ro si lio ni agamu_ how is it ye are of two minds? _na light fuana noni ni maa_ the light of the body it is the eye.

5. The plural sign _gi_ is used with the forms in the plural but not with those ending in _lu_: _gia gi fi dao na_ we have just come.

6. The forms in the plural third _igera_ and _gera_ are used as equivalent to a plural article: _igera na judea_ the Jews.

7. The p.r.o.nouns of the third person singular and plural may be used of impersonal or inanimate things.

B. p.r.o.nOUNS SUFFIXED TO VERBS OR TO PREPOSITIONS AS OBJECT.

Singular: (1) _nau_. (2) _oe_. (3) _a_.

Plural: Inclusive: (1) _gia_, _golu_.

Exclusive: (1) _gami_, _gamelu_. (2) _gamu_, _gamolu_.

(3) _gera_, _da_, _dalu_.

Dual: Inclusive: (1) _goro_.