228 THE NICOBARESE 



accusation of untruthfulness brings them up in arms immedi- 

 atel}^ 



Somewhat absent in manner, unemotional and apathetic, the 

 more intelligent are yet extremely inquisitive towards strangers, 

 and ask endless questions of a personal kind. 



Although not remarkable for courtesy, or possessing any 

 forms of salutation,* they are very hospitable, and always ready 

 with coconuts, cigarettes, etc., for a visitor. It is customary for 

 natives, when travelling, to enter without remark any house on 

 their path, help themselves to food and drink, and depart in 

 silence.f 



They are exceedingly independent in manner and spirit, are 

 of a somewhat commercial turn of mind, and are occasionally 

 gifted with a distressing importunity, which is most common in 

 those places where visits from Europeans have been most frequent. 



Parents seem to possess great affection for their infants, and 

 the number of men, especially, who may be seen about the 

 villages carrying their children, or otherwise amusing them, is 

 remarkable. 



Six distinct dialects and languages are spoken in the Archi- 

 pelago — one on Kar Nicobar, another on Chaura ; Teressa and 

 Bompoka together have one ; the central islands of Kamorta, 

 Nankauri, Trinkat, and Kachal speak a fourth ; while Little and 

 Great Nicobar with their adjacent islands have a fifth. Lastly, 

 the Shorn Peii of the interior of Great Nicobar employ a speech 

 that is dissimilar to the others. 



The language, which is somewhat harsh in sound, has, however, 

 "an extraordinarily rich, phonetic system — as many as twenty-five 



* "They have terms answering to 'How d'ye do?' and 'Good-bye.' The 

 following are said in the Central Islands : — 



A. Met chai-chachd-ka? — How d'ye do.'' 



B. Pehdri (said in response). — The same to you. 



A. Ydshe vie ra. — Good-bye (said by the person leaving). 



B. Tawdtse me rakdt. — Good-bye, ///., Thus you at present moment (said 



in response). 

 A. Pehdr/. — The same to you. 

 At the other islands there are corresponding terms." — E. H. Man. 

 t Y. Solomon. 



