Grammar and Vocabulary of the Lau Language by Walter G. Ivens
page 16 of 148 (10%)
page 16 of 148 (10%)
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(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 pronouns when the suffixed pronoun 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 pronunciation. 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; |
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