When a word ending in a vowel is followed immediately by a consonant, particularly b or s,[[49]] between that vowel and consonant is pronounced the letter n, not perfectly, but softly; e.g., sonõ gotoqu.
I have given special care to the accenting of words.[[50]] This has been done so that the signs that have been placed correctly over the accented letter will allow the listener to understand the meaning of the words and the sentences of the speaker. For instance, qèixèi has the accent on both èè; fìbicàxi has it on the first i and on the a.[[51]] This same
arrangement will be respected in the dictionary, with the accent being written with the same degree of correctness as is able to be achieved with great attention. If at times I have made mistakes, I am prepared to correct them immediately. Concerning what has been explained too briefly or left out of this grammar and the dictionary, learned people will be able to do that when they add a third dictionary and a third grammar, since it is easy to supply this material. Because I wish neither to be criticized by the Head of our Order (pater familias) and the Lord our God, nor do I wish this knowledge to be wrapped up in a handkerchief;[[52]] I want by these two works to help and to cooperate in the salvation of the Japanese not only by preaching but also by offering to the preachers, if I can, the tools of the language and chiefly the method by which they might better learn the Japanese language, a task made very difficult by the persecutions in Japan. Farewell, Reader, and be of good cheer. Madrid, 30 August 1631.
In This Grammar We Have for the Most Part Observed the Arrangement Which Antonius Nebrissensis and Others Have Followed in Latin for the Treatment of Sentences, Namely Nouns, Pronouns, Etc.
The Noun—Its Declension and Its Gender
In the Japanese language there are no case declensions as there are in Latin; but there are certain particles, which when suffixed to nouns, determine the differences between the cases for both common and proper nouns. The particles which form the nominative are five; va, ga, cara, no, and iori. The particle va is used when we want to give a sort of reduplicative[[53]] and specific turn to the person or thing that is signified by such a noun. It indicates either the first, second, or third person; e.g., Vatacuxi va mairanu 'I, or those related to me, will not come.' The particle no is suffixed to the second and third person, especially if they are inferior in rank or in a sentence where there is a relative construction which does not indicate a transitive action; e.g., sonata no móxita coto 'that which you said.' The particle no is also used when some indefinite form is used; e.g., iie no aru ca miió [... miio] 'see if there are houses.' The particle ga is used usually for the first and third persons of inferior status as well as for the second person when he is the most lowly or is to be humiliated; e.g., Pedro ga qita 'Peter came.' This particle is also used to indicate something indefinite, as has been said of the particle no; e.g., coco ni va iie ga nai ca? 'aren't the houses here?' It is also used in sentences that have a relative construction which does not indicate a transitive action. If the reference is to something of inferior or humble status the particle ga is also used; e.g., soregaxi ga caita fumi 'the letter which I wrote,' sochi ga iúta coto 'what you said.' The particles cara and iori are used to form the
nominative case when the sentence shows a transitive action, especially if the sentence contains a relative construction; e.g., Deus iori cudasareta gracia 'the mercy which God gave,' tono cara core vo vôxe tçuqerareta 'the Lord taught this.' Sometimes the words are in the nominative case without any particle; e.g., Pedro Ioaõ vo iobareta 'Peter called (7 John.' There are two particles for the genitive; i.e., no and ga. The particle no is used for all persons of superior rank; e.g., Padre no võ qiru mono 'the priest's clothes, or habit.' The particle ga is used for people of inferior rank; e.g., Pedro ga fumi 'Peter's letter,' sochi ga mono 'your thing,' are ga cane 'your money,' tono va iocu ga fucai fito gia 'the Lord is of great cupidity, that is to say he is very eager.' Sometimes the particle to is suffixed to the genitive; e.g., Pedro no to degozaru 'it belongs to Peter.' But since this is not a perfect way of speaking, it is better not to use it. I have cited it so that if you hear it you will understand. When two nouns are joined to form a single word, the one which is like an adjective does not require the genitive particle; e.g., cocuxu 'the Lord of the kingdom.' According to the ordinary rule we should say cocu no xu. This way of forming the genitive is very common in Japanese; e.g., Maria coto 'Mary's thing.'