Kēlen: Difference between revisions

Both animates and inanimates have three numbers: singular, collective, and plural. These could also be termed non-plural, collective plural, and distributive plural. There is also the stative inflection, which has no number and is neither animate nor inanimate.

Nouns that are inherently singular include things that can be counted, pieces or parts of things, instances of a feeling or experience, and events. Singular nouns are used with modifying numbers up through four. Possessed nouns, even those that denote paired objects, are singular.

:'''sakīwa''' 'skin'

Collective nouns include inherent aggregations of parts, powders, liquids, and gases. Collectives are also sets, series, or expanses, and can optionally be used for large scale natural phenomena. Collectives can be used to refer to a generic when discussing something that applies to all members of a set.

:'''makīri''' 'kinfolk'

Plural is a distributive plural, and refers to multiple distinct entities that are not grouped.

:'''mallācien''' 'girls'

Stative nouns include abstractions, qualities, and attributes. The stative can be used to refer to a generic when discussing the essence of something. Also, the stative is the preferred 2nd opject of PA.