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===Plural and Numbers=== | ===Plural and Numbers=== | ||
When a Cha speaker wants to say "two chairs", "three tables" and so on, she uses an expression similar to English "a pair of chairs": '' | When a Cha speaker wants to say "two chairs", "three tables" and so on, she uses an expression similar to English "a pair of chairs": ''xu soruraolono'', ''sam maolono'' (lit. "pair of chairs", "trio of tables"). The numeral is grammatically a noun ("pair", "trio", "dozen") and is followed by Genitive. | ||
Note that when used as adjectives the numerals become ordinal numbers: ''soruraolono | Note that when used as adjectives the numerals become ordinal numbers: ''soruraolono xua'' "the second chair". | ||
Often, especially with number two and with paired body parts, the number indicator is merged with the main word: '' | Often, especially with number two and with paired body parts, the number indicator is merged with the main word: ''siaotenoxú'' (eyes, lit. "pair of eyes"), ''haoxú'' (hands, lit. "pair of hands") etc. | ||
"Plurality", or "multiple" is translated into Cha with the use of word ''on''. So if "a person" is ''tu'', then "many persons" is ''on tuo'' (lit. "plurality of persons"). If we merge this expression into a single word, ''tuón'', we get "people". Note that the two "o"s have become one "o" with an accent. | "Plurality", or "multiple" is translated into Cha with the use of word ''on''. So if "a person" is ''tu'', then "many persons" is ''on tuo'' (lit. "plurality of persons"). If we merge this expression into a single word, ''tuón'', we get "people". Note that the two "o"s have become one "o" with an accent. | ||
Using the same method (adding ''-ón'') one can form plural of most any noun. Note however that the plural form will be used when it is not otherwise clear from context that a | Using the same method (adding ''-ón'') one can form plural of most any noun. Note however that the plural form will be used when it is not otherwise clear from context that a plurality of objects or persons is being referred to. In particular, the plural with ''-ón ''is never used with numbers or words like "some" or "several"; e.g. ''tu pana'' "all people" (NOT <strike>''tuón pana''</strike>) | ||
===Translating Pronouns=== | ===Translating Pronouns=== | ||