66 



DIVERSITIES OF LANGUAGE. 



our century. A man's age is computed by the 

 lesser cycles ; thus, if you are twenty-eight you are 

 said to be in the year of the hare, i.e. two complete 

 cycles of twelve years in each have elapsed since your 

 birth, and you have entered the fourth year of your 

 third cycle. 



With regard to the language, I must confess that, 

 with the multifarious occupations of the expedition, 

 and in the absence of a good dragoman, we were 

 unable to study it closely, or pay much attention to 

 the different dialects. This was a serious omission, 

 but it was chiefly caused by our want of funds ; if 

 we had been able to dispose of ample means, I could 

 have hired a good interpreter thoroughly conversant 

 with his business ; but circumstanced as we were, ours 

 could not spare a minute for days together for his 

 proper duties ; and his limited intelligence made 

 him of very little use on occasions when tact and 

 address were required. 



The Mongolian language prevails throughout 

 the country. It is rich in words, and has several 

 forms and dialects, which, however, are not very 

 distinct, except as between Northern and Southern 

 Mongolia, where the difference is strongly marked.^ 

 Words in use among Southern Mongols are perfectly 



Among Khalkas. In Ala-shan. 

 Khalat (Tunic) is Zupsa Labishik 

 Bowl is Imbu . Haisa 



Cloth „ Tsimbu. Dahar 



Gunpowder „ Dari . Shoroi 

 Milk „ Su . . Yusu 



Hither „ Nasha . Naran 



Thither „ In-shi . Tigehi 



