} 
} 
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} 
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4 
1881. ] 361 [Brinton, 
GRAMMAR OF THE CAKCHIQUEL LANGUAGE. 
CHaprer I, Or tur Noun. 
Declension of Nouns. 
The first matter which it is necessary to discuss is the declen- 
sion of the Noun. In this language there is no declension 
of cases, as in Latin, as the singular serves for all cases of the 
singular, and the plural for all cases of the plural. The follow- 
ing rules will explain which nouns have plurals, and which 
have not: 
§{. Every noun which signifies an inanimate thing lacks the 
plural; as abah, stone, che, wood, stick, vlewh, the earth. 
“|. Every noun which signifies an animate thing without 
other relation or any accident,* has no plural. Such are gene- 
ric and specific names, as, chicop, animal or brute, tz¢quin, bird 
queh, horse,t balam, tiger. 
{{. An exception is yok, the female, which makes yaxoki, 
the females, and dalam which is found with the plural balami, 
the tigers, 
4. It is to be noted with reference to these rules that when 
such nouns are united to the primitive or derivative pronouns 
of the plural number, then they have 4 plural, not in expres- 
sion but in signification. For example, mani kochoch, we have 
no houses; go kapop, we have mats. 
4]. When any of the above nouns are united to the primi- 
tive or derivative pronouns, in metaphorical expressions, prais- 
ing or blaming, then they have the plural form; as, yx quere 
axe, you are like hens; ya quere balami, you are like tigers. 
4]. The nouns referred to in the above two rules also have a 
plural by union with words signifying plurality, as q?, much, 
conohel, all, and with the ordinal numbers; as qwtyache, many 
sticks, oxtvay, three loaves, tzatcht vinak, many people. 
* Here used in its metaphysical sense. 
+ Properly ‘deer,’ 
PROC. AMER. PHILOS. SOC. Xx1. 115. 27, PRINTED APRIL 9, 1884, 
