[net.nlang] Reduplication as a Plural

barryg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Lee Gold) (04/15/85)

Most of the time Japanese doesn't spcify whether a word is singular or
plural.  One way some plurals are formed, though, is by repeating the
word and changing the voicing.

     Hito = person (people)    Hitobito = people
     Shima = island(s)         Shimajima = islands

Perhaps more strange is the use of iroiro (iro = color, emotion) to
mean "various."

--Lee Gold