1886.] 
F. E. Pargiter —Notes on the Chittagong Dialect. 
69 
Numerals. 
Tlie numerals are tlie same as in ordinary Bengali, but is com¬ 
monly used for eight instead of 
The word or is very generally used after a numeral to 
denote a “ thing ” or “ piece,” thus “ eight things.” When 
affixed to the word “one,” the compound becomes 
and “ one thing or piece.” It is also added to nouns to parti¬ 
cularise, thus “ that particular night.” 
(for •^TTCJT ) is also used, thus CtfTC^l “ both things.” 
is used with adjectives, thus ^15 “ how many ? ” “ how 
much ? ” “ everything.” 
The Verb. 
The most striking differences occur in the conjugation of the verb, 
which varies considerably from ordinary Bengali. Verbs are all conju¬ 
gated very much in the same way, but the formation of the Past Tense 
(and the Pluperfect which is formed from it) presents several differences 
which depend on the final letter of the root. 
The ordinary mode of forming the Past Tense is by affixing f^, ^ 
and C?I to the root if it end in a consonant, and ^f|f, and if it 
end in a vowel, for the 1 st, 2 nd and 3rd persons respectively. This ^ is 
distinctly pronounced y —thus “ I measured ^tf^J or ( ) 
“ I came ;” ^TC^J (or ) or ^rtc?r “ he came 5 ” “ he ate ;” 
“ I understood.” 
But if the root ends in <r or (and also ), the affixes are f?r, 9fj 
and respectively—thus “ I did ;” “ I read ;” and the 
is sometimes changed to thus or “ I seized.” The re¬ 
gular forms, however, or forms closely like them are in use, thus 
“ I ate ;” “ I threw ;” “ I danced.” 
The Pluperfect is formed by affixing c ^1 (or 1% ) and c?!, to the 
1st person. Past Tense—thus “ I had written ;” “ I 
had begun;” “ I had done;” “ you seized,” but 
“ he had come.” 
The 1st person Future is formed by affixing and with 
or without a conjunctive to the root, thus or “ I shall 
do;” “ I shall be able.” The other two persons are nearly 
regular. 
The Substantive Verb. 
Present. Past. 
1. “ lam,” “ we are ” “ I was,” “ we were.” 
2 . 
3. 
