IJNGUISTIO NOTES 



The alplial)et adopted is that of the Royal ( ieograpliical 

 Society, with the following few additions : — 



h = ng, as in " singer," not as in " finger." 



o = the ordinary English "o" as in the words — toe, 



though, sew, so. 

 () = " aw," as in " saw." 

 ri = an "o" wavering between " o" and " u," and 



varying often from one to the other if any 



addition is made to the word. 

 Xasali.sed vowels are marked —. 



All names are given in two forms. 



The first is the indefinite and simple form of the noun ; 

 the second, in brackets, the definite form. 



The second is the form the native invariably uses if he 

 says the name of the thing without any additional words. 



The indefinite form is only used when another noun 

 follows it, forming a compound noun ; or when an adjective 

 follows it. If the student uses it alone he will not be 

 understood. 



In answer to a que.stion as to the name of a thing, it is 

 the definite form that alone is used. 



The cause of the change is the addition of a pronominal 

 root, " i," which modifies the final vowel of the word in a 

 variety of ways depending on its strength or tone. The 

 following aie examples : — 



oi = "oi," each vowel is almost, but not quite, pro- 

 nounced separately, and the "i" in some 

 words becomes nearly " e." 



oi = "oy " in "boy." 



ui = either long " i " (i), or almost " wi." For instance, 

 " wuloi," small, is pronounced commonly 

 " wuli." 



ai = usually " e," as in "mesh." 



ai = " ai," as in " high," " my." 



