THE MALAGASY LANGUAGE. 
513 
10. A verb is formed by the prefixing o $ mi fan. This form 
conveys the idea of the action being mutual between two or 
more parties; they are equally engaged in it, but do not so 
actively excite each other to it, as in the form mifampi ; e. g. 
mifan-atrikia expresses the action of two persons facing each 
other, as in a law-suit: the party causing them to face one 
another would be mifampan-atrikia, a form which follows 
next; as, 
11. A verb is also made by prefixing mifampan, and this 
expresses a cause of reciprocal or mutual actions, that cause 
being some intelligent agent; and hence this form arises out of 
the active and not the neutral form of verbs; i.e. from verbs in 
man , and not from those in mi. 
12. The regular active form of a verb is made by prefixing 
man to the root. This, however, sometimes becomes ma, man , 
mand, or mang, according to the succeeding letters, governed 
by the analogy of sounds in the language. 
Some verbs in this form have a passive or neutral significa¬ 
tion, and then such roots are destitute of the usual passive form 
in mi. The man compensates for it. 
13. A causative form is made, arising out of the active in 
man , by prefixing mampan to the root. This follows the analogy 
of the verb in man. Both express active agency : e. g. 
manao trano—I build a house, 
mampanao trano azy—I cause him to build a house 
It governs its objective case in the accusative. 
14. A mode is made of some roots by prefixing mana. The 
signification in this form is so nearly allied to that in man , that 
in the paradigm it. will be noticed under the form in man. 
A dictionary alone can explain the difference of signification. 
No general rule can be found applicable to each particular 
word. The form is often precisely the same as it would be if 
the man were employed, and the succeeding letters changed 
agreeably to the analogy of changes. In truth, mana seems 
sometimes used merely because a change would not be so 
eu phono us to the native ear. 
15. A form in almost constant use is also made by prefixing 
maha to the root: maha may also be prefixed to numerous 
words and short phrases, not being roots. It takes the significa¬ 
tion of causing to be, showing to be, proving to be, able to 
make to be. 
mahafotsy—causing to become white, as with chalk or 
paint. 
mahamenatra—causing to feel ashamed. 
maharatsy—to spoil, adapted to spoil. 
2 L 
i. 
