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Manual
of the
Foochow Dialect.
Part I. Grammar.
In the following pages, under the general term of Grammar, the prominent rules and principles of the science, as they exist in the Foochow Dialect, are expressed in simple definitions and statements. These are generally illustrated by short examples in Chinese characters and their Romanized equivalents, with translations into English. The proper construction and idioms of the dialect, thus brought to view, will prepare the student for the study of Phrases.
Orthography.
The system of orthography adopted in this Manual is essentially that known as the system of Sir William Jones. It was used in Romanizing the languages of India and the Pacific Islands, and the dialects of the North American Indians.
Vowels.
- a, as in far, father.
- á, as„ in„ care, fair, or as e in there.
- ă, as„ in„ hat, sat, fathom.
- e, as„ in„ they, prey, or as a in name.
- é, as„ in„ met, seven, error.
- ë, as„ in„ her, or as i in bird.
- i, as„ in„ machine,
- í, as„ in„ pin, or as the second i in infinite.
- o, as„ in„ no, note, report.
- ó, as„ in„ for, lord, or as a in fall.
- u, as„ in„ bull, but oftener as o in move, or oo in school.
- ü, as„ in„ the French l'une, jeune.
