MORE ABOUT NOUNS
So, as we learned last time, a noun is a word that names or refers to a person, a place, or a thing. To make things even more clear, I hope, a thing, can actually be not just an object or a person, but also a quality or even a concept.
We also leaned about common nouns, which name any one of a class of persons, places or things, and proper nouns, which name a specific person, place, or thing.
Let’s talk for just a moment about “number”. Number means that a word can be singular (which means that it referrs to one person, place or thing) or plural, which means that it refers to more than one person or place or thing. Of course, in Japanese, we don’t bother with number because the same word can be used for one or for more than one person, place, or thing. Here are some examples:
· Hon = book or books
· Shinbun = newspaper or newspapers
· Uchi = house or houses
· Ki = tree or trees
· Te = hand or hands
· Hon o motte imasu. ( I have a book) or
· Hon o motte imasu. (I have some books).
We should also begin to think a little bit about articles! In Japanese we do not use articles before nouns. There are no words in Nihongo that correspond to the English a, an, or the. For right now, just be aware that English does use articles a lot and that they are an important part of learning to both speak and write in English well. A major mistake that is often made is to forget to use articles when speaking or writing in English because Japanese people don’t normally use them or even give them a thought.
Some English nouns also show gender. Not so much in Japanese right? There are no special endings to show masculine, feminine, or neuter forms, but there are in English, so for now, just be aware that they exist.
Now, let’s talk a little bit about two “new” kinds of nouns. The are compound nouns and collective nouns. Please don’t be intimidated by these new names. The ideas behind them are pretty simple.
Compound nouns are two or more nouns that function or work together as a single unit. They are partners! A compound noun can be two individual words, words that are joined by a hyphen (-), or two words that are combined into one “new” word.
· Individual words: time capsule
· Hyphenated words: great-uncle
· Combined words: basketball (basket + ball)
Collective nouns name groups of people or things.
· Audience
· Family
· Herd
· Crowd.
Don’t forget, as you learn to read, write and to speak English, a really good dictionary is an important thing to have close by to refer to. My favorite is the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language which I always keep at my desk (yes, even I need a dictionary, often!!!). You can see it here for yourself:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/American-Heritage-Dictionary-English-Language/dp/0618701737/ref=sr_1_26?ie=UTF8&s=english-books&qid=1209238747&sr=8-26
Another really good dictionary is the Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, available in several forms:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_ss_fb/250-4870713-0556251?__mk_ja_JP=%83J%83%5E%83J%83i&url=search-alias%3Denglish-books&field-keywords=webster+collegiate+dictionary
Well, we have covered a lot of material today so take a minute to relax! After you have done that, we have a short quiz for you! Oh, it’s not too hard and it is good practice for you.
QUIZ
If you can, print out a copy of this quiz onto paper. Underline the nouns in each of the following sentences.
1. In ancient China, a hungry tiger was roaming through the jungle looking for something to eat.
2. He came across two men.
3. One man was sitting under a tree and reading a book; the other man was writing on a piece of paper.
4. The tiger quickly pounced on the man reading the book and devoured him.
5. Even a tiger knows that readers digest and writers cramp.
Give yourself 5 points for each noun you find. Also, there are two puns in this quiz. Yes, even English speaking people have fun with puns. Can you find them? If you can, give yourself an extra 5 points for each one.
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