PLURALS. 27
The order in which the foregoing particles and examples are given is that of a gradually decreasing politeness. There is no great difference between gata and tachi, but both are decidedly more polite than the three that follow them. Onna-shu might be used in speaking of the female attendants of another; onna-domo is better in speaking of the female attendants in one's own household. The suffix ra is decidedly contemptuous.
IF 42. Numerous as are the above particles, the idea of plurality is not always very clearly expressed even by their help. Thus, whereas ko may mean "children" as well as "child," the so-called plural form ko-domo may mean " child" as well as " children." In this particular instance, but scarcely in any others, we may, in order to get an undoubted plural, superadd one suffix to another, and say ko-domo-ra or ko-domo-shu, " children."
- < 43. We may also (chiefly in vocables borrowed from the
Chinese) prefix independent words in order to obtain a sort of plural ; thus :
ban-koku, "all countries," " international ;" from ban,
"ten thousand," and koku, "country." sho-kun, "gentlemen;" from sho, "all-," and kun, prince," " Mr."
su-neit, "many years;" from sfi, " number," and nen, " year."
T 44. But though the ways of indicating sex and number are thus various, it cannot be sufficiently borne in mind that they are all more or less exceptional, and are scarce- ly found except in a comparatively small number of cases, which are sanctioned by usage. Distinctions of sex and even of number are not dwelt on at every moment by the Japanese, as they are by the European, mind.
