Learning Mongolian, a language belonging to the Mongolic language family and primarily spoken in Mongolia and parts of China, offers an intriguing linguistic journey due to its unique grammatical structure, including a complex system of noun declension. Mongolian grammar, particularly its approach to nouns, features gender neutrality, number, and cases, making understanding these aspects crucial for mastering the language. This lesson will explore Mongolian nouns, covering their classification, number, cases, and the application of these aspects in sentence construction, including transliterations for pronunciation help.

Introduction to Mongolian Nouns

Nouns in Mongolian (нэр үг, ner üg) name people, places, things, or concepts. Unlike many languages, Mongolian does not differentiate nouns based on grammatical gender, simplifying noun usage in this aspect.

Classification of Nouns

Mongolian nouns can be broadly classified into proper nouns (өөрийн нэр, ööriin ner) that name specific entities, and common nouns (нийтийн нэр, niitiin ner) referring to general items or concepts.

Number in Mongolian Nouns

The concept of number in Mongolian is expressed through singular and plural forms. Plurality can be indicated through suffixes or reduplication, depending on the context and specificity required.

• Regular Plurals: Adding “-нууд” (-nuud) or “-үүд” (-üüd) to the singular form of the noun indicates the plural. Example: “ном” (nom, book) becomes “номнууд” (nomnuud, books).
• Reduplication: Sometimes, especially in informal contexts, reduplication of the noun can indicate plurality or emphasis.

Cases in Mongolian Nouns

Mongolian employs a system of seven cases to indicate the grammatical and relational function of nouns within sentences, which is achieved through the addition of suffixes to the noun stem.

1. Nominative Case: The basic form, used for the subject of a sentence. No suffix is added.
2. Genitive Case: Indicates possession or relation, marked by “-ийн” (-iin) or “-ын” (-yn).
3. Dative Case: Shows direction or indirect objects, marked by “-д” (-d) or “-т” (-t).
4. Accusative Case: Marks the direct object, indicated by “-г” (-g) or “-ийг” (-iig).
5. Instrumental Case: Indicates means or accompaniment, marked by “-аар” (-aar) or “-ээр” (-eer).
6. Comitative Case: Expresses companionship, marked by “-тай” (-tai) or “-тэй” (-tei).
7. Locative Case: Indicates location, marked by “-д” (-d) or “-т” (-t) for “in/on/at”.

Definiteness and Indefiniteness

Mongolian does not use articles to indicate definiteness or indefiniteness. These concepts are usually inferred from context or the use of demonstratives and possessive pronouns.

Possessive Forms

Possession in Mongolian is indicated using the genitive case or possessive pronouns that agree with the noun being modified.

• Example: “Сараагийн ном” (Saraagiin nom, Saraa’s book), where “-гийн” (-giin) indicates possession.

Practice Exercises

1. Identifying Noun Types: Given a list of nouns, practice identifying them as proper or common nouns.
2. Expressing Number: Convert a set of singular nouns to their plural forms, applying the appropriate suffixes for plurality, with transliterations.
3. Case Application: Provide forms of a given noun in different cases, focusing on nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, and locative cases, with transliterations.
4. Expressing Possession: Construct sentences to express possession, using the genitive case and possessive pronouns, with transliterations.

Conclusion

Mastering Mongolian nouns and their grammatical rules is essential for effectively communicating in Mongolian. The language’s approach to number, the absence of grammatical gender, and the use of cases to indicate grammatical and relational functions of nouns offer a comprehensive linguistic experience. Regular practice, engagement with native speakers, and immersion in Mongolian texts will enhance language proficiency and deepen cultural understanding.