Qino: Difference between revisions

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Many nouns are by default unmarked for number. The singulative is formed with suffixes such as ''-sha, -ha, -ka, -icha, -ta, -eesha, -ocha,'' (masculine) or ''-ti, -itti, -eeti, -otti'' (feminine). The plural is formed with suffixes such as ''-oota, -ani, -aani, -eeni, -ooni, -eeCi, -ooCi, -eeya, -ooya'' and ''-iina''. Broken plurals are common in Arabic loanwords and are sometimes extended to other words.

When all three forms exist, the unmarked form is generally used with numerals and when number is not particularly important. The singulative and plural are often used for emphasis or when number is not clear from context. Multiple plural forms often exist.

The exact usage depends on the noun in question. When all three forms exist, the unmarked form is generally used with numerals and when number is not particularly important. The singulative and plural are often used for emphasis or when number is not clear from context. Multiple plural forms often exist.

Not every noun has all three forms. If there is no unmarked form, the singulative and plural are used for singular and plural respectively. Some uncountable nouns are always in the plural (pluralia tantum) - e.g. ''bisheeya'' "water".

=====Some examples=====

*''nama'' "person" most often uses the unmarked form. The singulative is used to specify the person's gender, and the plural is used to emphasize the large number of people.

*''shimmíra'' "bird" uses the singulative for a single bird and the unmarked form as a collective. It does not have a dedicated plural form, though ad-hoc formations such as ''shimmiroota'' may be used.

*''afka'' "mouth/language" uses the singulative for a single mouth/language and the plural for more than one. It does not have an unmarked form.

*''bisheeya'' "water" is always in the plural. A singulative ''bisheeti'' meaning "cup/bottle of water" exists, but it is treated as a separate noun.

====Diminutives and Augmentatives====

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 Many nouns are by default unmarked for number. The singulative is formed with suffixes such as ''-sha, -ha, -ka, -icha, -ta, -eesha, -ocha,'' (masculine) or ''-ti, -itti, -eeti, -otti'' (feminine). The plural is formed with suffixes such as ''-oota, -ani, -aani, -eeni, -ooni, -eeCi, -ooCi, -eeya, -ooya'' and ''-iina''. Broken plurals are common in Arabic loanwords and are sometimes extended to other words.
-When all three forms exist, the unmarked form is generally used with numerals and when number is not particularly important. The singulative and plural are often used for emphasis or when number is not clear from context. Multiple plural forms often exist.
+The exact usage depends on the noun in question. When all three forms exist, the unmarked form is generally used with numerals and when number is not particularly important. The singulative and plural are often used for emphasis or when number is not clear from context. Multiple plural forms often exist.
 Not every noun has all three forms. If there is no unmarked form, the singulative and plural are used for singular and plural respectively. Some uncountable nouns are always in the plural (pluralia tantum) - e.g. ''bisheeya'' "water".
+=====Some examples=====
+*''nama'' "person" most often uses the unmarked form. The singulative is used to specify the person's gender, and the plural is used to emphasize the large number of people.
+*''shimmíra'' "bird" uses the singulative for a single bird and the unmarked form as a collective. It does not have a dedicated plural form, though ad-hoc formations such as ''shimmiroota'' may be used.
+*''afka'' "mouth/language" uses the singulative for a single mouth/language and the plural for more than one. It does not have an unmarked form.
+*''bisheeya'' "water" is always in the plural. A singulative ''bisheeti'' meaning "cup/bottle of water" exists, but it is treated as a separate noun.
 ====Diminutives and Augmentatives====