Vocabulary
Yagua has a quinary (base 5) counting system. Different numbers are used for inanimate objects/counting and animate objects (see measure word).
| # | Inanimate/Counting | Animate | # | Inanimate/Counting | Animate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | tárakí | tíkí | 6 | tárakínihyátee | tíkinihyátee |
| 2 | dárahúy | dánuhúy | 7 | dárahúnihyátee | dánuhunihyátee |
| 3 | múmurí | múuváy | 8 | múmurínihyátee | múúványihyátee |
| 4 | dáryahúyu | dányuhúyu | 9 | dáryahúyunihyátee | dányuhúyunihyátee |
| 5 | tádahyó | tádahyó | 10 | βuyahúy | βuyahúy |
Read more about this topic: Yagua Language
Famous quotes containing the word vocabulary:
“One forgets words as one forgets names. One’s vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die.”
—Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966)
“I have a vocabulary all my own. I “pass the time” when it is wet and disagreeable. When it is fine I do not wish to pass it; I ruminate it and hold on to it. We should hasten over the bad, and settle upon the good.”
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592)
“A new talker will often call her caregiver “mommy,” which makes parents worry that the child is confused about who is who. She isn’t. This is a case of limited vocabulary rather than mixed-up identities. When a child has only one word for the female person who takes care of her, calling both of them “mommy” is understandable.”
—Amy Laura Dombro (20th century)