58 
same corresponding generic sounds; thus we get an allitera- 
tion, the subject governing ail until the object is reached. 
The inflexions are of the first, not the last syllable. The 
following are a few specimens of singular and plural with 
personal pronouns attached, illustrating the theory, which 
however is not invariably carried out 
Chink util chiami 1 , . , 
7 . . y my shirt. 
shirt my j 
Biukutu biami 1 , . , 
shMs my \ “7 
Li-ilu leaini 1 
y my nose. 
nose my J ^ 
Matu mami ] 
eyes my J 
Lungo chiami 
ring my 
Lnngo biami 
rings my 
Mwbiio ami 
child my 
Bano bami 
children my 
^ my ring. 
(No alliteration) 
j my rings. 
(No alliteration) 
> my child. 
I 
my children. 
There are some very interesting forms of verbs, adverbs 
of negation, &c., phrases, for example — | ^ 
asleep, or was asleep at the time spoken of They say in 
answer to the question, “Have ’you eaten?” “No.” In 
answer to “ Have you anything to eat ?” they do not say 
“ No,” but “Nothing.” The phrase “I have not eaten” in- 
volves again a diflerent negative. Many phrases are of a 
double nature, like the French negative in “je ne saisy^as.” 
Altogether it is a highly elaborate tongue, with whose 
beauties few are acquainted. If rapidly spoken a sentence 
seems but one long word, so easily do the syllables flow 
together. The words themselves seem intricate changes on 
simple syllables ; few double consonants unless at the be- 
ginning of a word, then generally of the extraordinary 
forms in “ Mpembo,” “Njeio,” “Msitii,” “Nkdmbo,” and as 
the preceding word ends in a vowel these readily combine. 
I do not think a dozen words in the language end in a con- 
sonant. The word for a cat is a suggestive one, “ wai-o,” 
pronounced “why-o.” 
