A Glimpse into Armenian Grammar: Mastering Numbers
Armenian, an Indo-European language with a unique script, is spoken predominantly in Armenia and the diaspora community. The rich history and fascinating linguistic features of Armenian make it a captivating subject for linguists and language enthusiasts alike. This article will delve into one such aspect of Armenian grammar: numbers. We will explore cardinal and ordinal numbers, as well as the unique numerals used in Armenian writing.
Cardinal Numbers in Armenian
Cardinal numbers are used for counting and expressing quantity. They encompass the basic numbers from zero to infinity. In Armenian, cardinal numbers follow a straightforward pattern, enabling learners to easily build upon their understanding. Here is a list of cardinal numbers from one to twenty:
- մեկ (mek) – one
- երկու (yerku) – two
- երեք (yerek) – three
- չորս (chors) – four
- հինգ (hing) – five
- վեց (vets) – six
- յոթ (yot) – seven
- ութ (ut) – eight
- ինը (inuh) – nine
- տաս (tas) – ten
- տասնմեկ (tasnmek) – eleven
- տասներկու (tasnyerku) – twelve
- տասներեք (tasnyerek) – thirteen
- տասնչորս (tasnchors) – fourteen
- տասնհինգ (tasnhing) – fifteen
- տասնվեց (tasnvets) – sixteen
- տասնյոթ (tasnyot) – seventeen
- տասնութ (tasnut) – eighteen
- տասնինը (tasninuh) – nineteen
- քսան (qsan) – twenty
Larger numbers can be formed by combining the root of the smaller number with the appropriate multiplier. For example:
- երեսուն (yeresun) – thirty
- քառասուն (k’arasun) – forty
- նստանը (nstane) – fifty
Ordinal Numbers in Armenian
Ordinal numbers are used to express position or rank in a sequence. They are formed by adding the suffix “-րդ” (“-rd”) to the cardinal number. For example:
- մեկերորդ (mek’erord) – first
- երկրորդ (yerk’ord) – second
- երեքերորդ (yerekerord) – third
- չորսերորդ (ch’orserord) – fourth
Ordinal numbers are used with nouns and agree in number, gender, and case. In the nominative case, the ordinal number comes before the noun, while in other cases, the noun comes first.
Armenian Numerals
In addition to using Arabic numerals, the Armenian language possesses its own numeral system. Based on the Armenian alphabet, each letter has a corresponding numeric value. The letters are combined to create numerals that represent different numbers, and a horizontal line is drawn over the letters to indicate numerical rather than literal meaning.
Armenian numerals are often found in historical texts, religious manuscripts, and calendars. It is essential for those working with ancient Armenian documents to familiarize themselves with the numerical system.
Conclusion
Understanding numbers in Armenian grammar is a vital part of mastering the language. With a clear grasp of cardinal and ordinal numbers, as well as the unique Armenian numerals, learners and enthusiasts can dive deeper into the intricacies of this fascinating linguistic tradition. In doing so, they will gain an appreciation for the rich cultural and historical aspects that inform Armenian grammar and syntax.
