Note (1). The word a(ne) man, has a double plural in two different meanings: ani, the men; ake(da) the married men.
(2). The shortened form of the word is often used in the plural. This naturally is the same as the singular.
III. Case.
1. There is no modification of the noun to express case, but the equivalents of cases are shown by suffixes. The vocative alone often takes a final a as in the interrogative form.
Ex. Tayova, a tsia! Tayo, come here!
The subject, direct object, and indirect object are however easily recognised by their position in the sentence. The subject comes first, followed by the direct object, then the indirect object if there be one, with the verb at the end. If there are complements they immediately precede the word which governs them.
Ex. naga kuku nu inde, I tobacco to thee gave; Baiv’ u mega nembe u fod’ al’ ema, Baiva’s child bird his bow-with killed; nuni ake mu letsi gatsi, thou men their village-to will-go.
2. The genitive is expressed by means of the possessive adjective.
Ex. ovo’u ma, hair of the pig, lit. pig his hair.
3. Persons belonging to a place sometimes omit the adjective.