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Singular and Plural

himalayanpussycat ("himalayanpussycat" <maryannehanna@...>) on July 10, 2007

I find that “plu” is used as a literal translation of “-s” (plural). When = I was learning English eons ago :-) I used to wonder, “What is this Wester= n obsession with singular and plural?” As I began to speak I gradually for= got about it.

I believe that in most naturally isolating languages where= a noun is usually translated as singular, actually contains plural meanin= g as well. They do not normally use “plu” equivalent particle, except whe= n they want to stress it. I noticed some instances of this in Glosa as wel= l. E.g. mo bibli (one book), tri bibli (three books); u flori (a flower), = poli flori (many flowers). In these examples the “noun” (without -s or plu= ) seems to be singular as well as plural.

I recommend you would adopt th= is feature in Glosa; i.e. a word (noun) would be both singular and plural;= therefore, “plu” (when otherwise required) is not needed unless you would= like to emphasize on the fact it is plural. (Similar methods are used in = Glosa; e.g. “u” is both definite and indefinite articles) It would make th= e language a little simpler, would it not?

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Singular and Plural - Committee on language planning, FIAS. Coordination: Vergara & Hardy, PhDs.