SYNTAX.
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CHAPTER XIV.
SYNTAX.
In speaking the Ainu language the following rules are to be observed:—
The subject of the verb is always placed at the beginning of the sentence, the verb itself at the end, and the object immediately before the verb; thus:—
- Ainu ek, “a man is coming.”
- Moyuk raige, “he killed a racoon.”
- Heikachi umma o, “the lad is riding a horse.”
The genitive always precedes the word it defines; thus:—
- Ku makiri; “my knife.”
- Chikoro uni; “our home.”
- Chiramantep maratto; “a bear’s head;” “a bear feast.”
- Seta nimaki; “the dog’s teeth.”
Adjectives are used either attributively or predicatively.
(a) When used attributively the adjective is placed before the noun it qualifies; thus:—
- Atomte chisei; “a beautiful house.”
- Wen guru; “a bad person,” “poor person.”
(b) When an adjective is used predicatively, it is placed after the noun and is itself followed by the verb “to be;” thus:—
- Nonno eramasu ne ruwe ne, “it is a pretty flower.”
- Seta nimaki tanne ruwe ne, “the dog’s teeth are long.”
Very often, particularly when the word anakne is used, the noun is mentioned twice, once with and once without the adjective; thus:—
