1841.] Grammar i^ Vocabulary of the Cashmiri Language, 1039 



General Remarks. 



The language resembles Hindostani in the two most troublesome 

 parts of that language, but with increased difficulties. The genitive 

 case agrees with the object possessed in gender, number and case 

 having moreover different forms according as the possessing noun is it- 

 self masculine, feminine, or neuter. 



In like manner the past tenses of the verb agree with the object, 

 while the agent has a peculiar form, which I have termed the agentive 

 case ; but the verb agrees in some measure with the agent, as well as the 

 object; at least assumes a modified form according to the person and 

 number of the agent. The verb is in like manner subject to modifica- 

 tions of its termination, where the enclitic pronominal dative is used. 



The verb is generally placed in the middle of the sentence as in Eng- 

 lish ; but the object is indifferently placed before or after it. 



In forming feminines, the letter of the masculine is generally changed 

 thus : — 

 m. 



d— g— zorj. 



t ts. 



k ch. 



n nj. (the nasal na of the Nagri,) ii of the Spanish. 



1 ^j- 



Nouns. 

 The genitive is formed by adding as the case may be. 



sindes* In all but proper names. 

 Plural in all genders and 

 and cases. 



The accusative by the addition of as or is in the singular, and au in 

 the plural, thus: 



Singular. 



TNom. Maiil, a father Nichu, child 



< Gen. Malii, sand, &c. Nichu, sand In proper names the geni- 



(^Ac. Malis Nichavis tive is formed by simply 



Agent. Mail Nichavi adding un, as 



m. s. 



an. 



m. p. 



/. 5. 



f-p. 



Masculine Sand 



(an) 



sandi 



sauz (ac) 



sanza 



Feminine, or hand 



(a) 



handi 



hanz (za) 



hauza 



Neuter uk 



(ik) 





ich (icha) 





