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===Nouns=== | ===Nouns=== | ||
There are two articles: the definite article ''fi'', from the distal demonstrative ''fi'', and the specific article ''se'' (m), from the proximal demonstrative ''se''. Indefinite nonspecific nouns do not take an article. The English definite article, and some unpreceded English nouns such as ''society'', ''man'' (humanity), and ''life'', correspond closely to the Naeng definite article, but the English indefinite article can be translated into either Naeng indefinite nouns or specific nouns depending on context. | There are two articles: the definite article ''fi'', from the distal demonstrative ''fi'', and the specific article ''se'' (m), from the proximal demonstrative ''se''. Indefinite nonspecific nouns do not take an article. The English definite article, and some unpreceded English nouns such as ''society'', ''man'' (humanity), and ''life'', correspond closely to the Naeng definite article, but the English indefinite article can be translated into either Naeng indefinite nouns or specific nouns depending on context. | ||
*nonspecific: ''Thăgem | *nonspecific: ''Thăgem șar nga ies rüe șar imyar!'' / ''Thăgem dunse rüe drel e ies imyar!'' = "I want her to give me some flowers! (any flowers, I don't care what flowers they are)" | ||
*specific: ''Thăgem | *specific: ''Thăgem șar nga ies rüe șar se imyar!'' / ''Thăgem dunse rüe drel e ies se imyar!'' = "I want her to give me some flowers! (specific ones I have in mind)" | ||
*definite: ''Thăgem | *definite: ''Thăgem șar nga ies rüe șar fi imyar!'' / ''Thăgem dunse rüe drel e ies fi imyar!'' = "I want her to give me the flowers! (you and I both know what flowers)" | ||
The nonspecific-specific distinction often makes pluralization unnecessary where English would require it: | The nonspecific-specific distinction often makes pluralization unnecessary where English would require it: | ||
:'''''Rie die poar fa binfăndaw.''''' | :'''''Rie die poar fa binfăndaw.''''' |
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