3. Grammar is, as we should expect it to be, at its _minimum_ amount.
_a._ _b._ There are no signs of either the possessive case or the plural number. The former is determined by the construction only--_kata nēm maika papa_=_what name thou father_=_wh(-at) is (the) name (of) th(-y) father_. The latter is sometimes denoted by _haiu_=_many_.
_c._ In general the tense of verbs is to be discovered by the context. When it is absolutely necessary to fix the time, certain adverbs are resorted to; as, _now_, _formerly_, _tomorrow_. The future sense is expressed by _tuké_=_wish_.
_d._ The notion of condition is expressed by the Chinúk _klunas_=_perhaps_, or by the English _pos_=_suppose_. The only other conjunction in the language is _pi_ =the French _puis_=_and_, _or_, _then_, &c.
_e._ The substantive verb is generally (as in the normal state of the Semitic languages) omitted--_maika pilton_ = _thou art foolish_.
The changes that European words undergo may be collected from the following vocabulary.
Boston, American[111] Bōt--boat. Hakatshum--handkerchief. Haus--house. Klai--clay. Klas--glass. Kintshosh--Englishman.[112] Kitl--kettle. Kōl--coal. Lēk--lake. Lēsi--lazy. Lûm--rum. Oluman[113]--father. Paia--fire. Pilton[114]--foolish. Pēpa--paper. Pōs--suppose. Shŭt--shirt. Stutshin---sturgeon. Tala--silver, dollar. Tlai--cry. Tshaket--jacket. Tumola--tomorrow. Wām--warm. Wata--water. Win--wind.
Kapo--capot. Kasét--casette. Kuli--courir. Labúsh--la bouche. Lahásh--la hache. Laklés--la graisse. Lalán--la langue. Lamestin--la médecine. Lamontai--le montaigne. Lasuai--la soie. Latapl--la table. Lawie--la vieille. Lebiskwi--le biscuit. Liman--la main. Letan--les dents. Loup-marin--loup marin[115]. Pasianks--Français. Putāli--poudre. Sawash[116]--Indian. Shante--chanter. Seápot--chapeau. Siápul--ditto.
Hehe--laugh. Liplip--boil. Tiktik--watch. Ting-ting--bell. Tum--heavy noise. Tum-wata--cataract.
The power of combination is greatly developed. Almost every verb and adjective may receive a modification in its meaning by the prefixion of the word _mamúk_=_make_ or _cause_. Thus--
Tsháko[117] = come mamúk tsháko = bring. Klátawa[117] = go " klátawa = send. Kikwili[118] = below " kikwili = bury. Pepa = paper " pepa = write.