1851.] Notes on the Dophlds and their Language. 133 



He, who ? and Hogo, what ? 

 They may be declined in the same way as the Personal Pronouns. 



Of Verbs. 

 Verbs expressive of being and possession are very rare. Of the 

 former class we have Dong-pa, in the present, and Dong-pona in the 

 past tense. Verbs of the latter class appear to be wholly wanting. 



The regimen for the conjugation of verbs exhibits great simplicity. 

 There are but three recognized relations of time, the absolute present, 

 the absolute past, and the simple future ; but should occasion require 

 that the time of an action be expressed with greater precision than 

 these tenses admit of, corresponding adverbs of time are employed and 

 usually placed before the verb. 



The variations that verbs undergo, whether in mood or tense appear 

 to be effected by the aid of auxiliaries, which may properly be termed 

 immutable verbal fragments. Verbs undergo no change expressive of 

 either number or person. 



Indicative Mood. 

 The adjuncts Do, Pana, and Bd, form the distinctive signs of the 

 present, past, and future tenses. Do, is in all probability a contracted 

 form of the substantive verb Dong, to be. 



Pana, is often used by itself to signify, did; for example, 

 Lak mona pana, I did it with my hand. 

 Present Tense. 

 Singular. Plural. 



1 . Ngo do-do, / am eating, 



2. No do-do, thou art eating. 



3. Ma do-do, he is eating. 



1. Ngo-lu do-do, we are eating. 



2. N6-lu do-do, you are eating. 



3. Ma-lu dodo, they are eating. 



Thus also ; — Bang-do, I am carrying. Angne-do, I am going. 

 Tang-do, I am drinking. Me-do, / am seeking. 



Past Tense. 

 Singular. Plural. 



1 . Ngo-lu do-pana, we did eat. 



2. N6-lu do-pana, you did eat. 



3. Ma-lu do-pana, they did eat. 



1. Ngo do-pana, I did eat. 



2. No do-pana, thou didst eat 



3. Ma do-pana, he did eat. 



Bang-pana, I did carry. Tang-pana, I did drink. 



Angne-pana, J did go. Me-pana, / did seek. 

 Future Tense. 



Singular. Plural. 



1. Ngo do-bo, I will eat. I 1. Ngo-lu do-bo, we will eat. 



2. No do-bo, thou wilt eat. I 2. N6-lu do-bo, you will eat. 



3. Ma do-bo, he will eat. | 3. Ma-lu do-bo, they will eat 

 Bang-bo, J will carry. Tang-bo, I will drink. 

 Angne-bo, 2" will go. Me-bo, J will seek. 



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