POSTPOSITIONS.
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Shirikata ; this word properly means “upon the earth,” but it is very often used for “below” or “beneath,” instead of rata; thus:—
- Kando rikta an, moshiri shirikata an, “heaven is above, the earth is beneath.”
Ta; “to,” “at,” “in.”
- Mopet ta san, “he is going to Mopet.”
- Chisei ta okai, “they are in the house.”
- Shine an ta, “at one place.”
Tumugeta, tumuta ; “amongst.”
- Chikuni tumugeta; “among the trees.” Mun tumuta; “among the grass.”
Un ; “in,” “to,” “towards,” “at,” “of,” “among.”
The postposition un is of very extensive use, and has a great variety of meanings. Its use as a locative particle should be particularly noted. It should be noted that it governs the word it follows.
| Chisei un, “in the house.” | Oya moshir’un guru, “a foreigner.” |
| Uni un ku arapa, “I am going home." | Kim un, “to the mountains,” or “in the mountains.” |
| Te un, “here.” | Kim un kamui, “the gods of the mountains.” |
| Eani un, “you.” | Rep un kamui, “the gods of the sea.” |
| Kuani un, “I.” | Paro un guru, “a man of mouth” (i.e. eloquent). |
The particle un is found to sometimes enter into the construction of Place-names. Thus:—
- Ki-un-nai, “the stream among the reeds.”
- Kin-un-nai, “the mountain stream.”
- Kush-un-kotan, “the village yonder;” meaning that a “river,” “lake,” or “arm of the sea” intervenes.
