Excerpt from A Grammatical Sketch of the Akra-or G -Language Languages the character of semiconsonants. 3) As an other consequence of the 1. Feature, mute consonants Can not (and therefore in reducing these languages to writing also should not) be reduplicated. 4) Like as Verbs the roots of all notional words, so pronouns are the roots of all pure formwords and forms; the former consisting more of the hard and mute consonants, the latter more of soft and liquid consonants, besides the vowels; and that if a notional word is used as form or formword, its sounds are generally weakened. 5) That formverbs or auxiliary verbs are employed far more extensively than in other languages, to express the relations of the language, therefore as also the double verbs, the verbal prepositions and other verbal combinations. 6) That combination in general is used also more extensively than in other languages to express the relations. 7) That, as the simplicity of the roots does not allow many modifications for the purpose of distinction, this want is supplied by augments or pure forms (3. By reduplication and combination (5. And and hence the very great fulness of forms to be observed in these languages. 8) The use of nouns (in G5: da, de, he, hewo, hie, hmmei, mli, musu, na, nane, nine, no, no, se, si, Sisi, te, ten, yi, yin, yitso etc.) as grammatical subjects or objects to individualize a general notion expressed by a verb; and hence the multitude of expressions (as in Hebrew). 9) As connected with this we have to consider the mass of proverbial sayings in these languages. 10) The use of certain adverbs expressing the same notion as the verb, which they are intended to modify, though having a different root. 11) The use of the infinitive absolute. 12) The expression of the negation by a negative voice. 13) The want of a passive voice. Etc. Etc. Comp. Also Bishop Vidals Introductory remarks to S. Crowthers Yo ruba-grammar and Vocabulary; this Grammar and Vocab. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.