MALAYALIM LANGUAGE. 73
Among persons of a higher grade the verbal noun is used for the second
person singular; as,
വരിക, Come. പറക, Speak. സഹായിക്ക, Help.
This last form is sometimes used for the first person plural; as, നാം
പൊക, let us go. When നാം is used for ഞാൻ the form is നാം
പൊകട്ടെ, let me go.
To persons in the higher ranks of Society, a great variety of other
expressions, considered more respectful, are in general use; as,
1st. പറഞ്ഞാലും, Be pleased to speak; പൊയാലും, Go if you please.
This form is compounded of the past participle with the particle ആ
ലും. It is chiefly used in native writings, thus from the Ramayana.
എന്തൊന്നുവെണ്ടുന്നതെന്നരുൾചെയ്താലും.
Be pleased to say what is wanted.
2nd. പൊയി വരട്ടെ. Let (me or us) go; lit: let me or us go,
and come.
Chiefly used by equals or by inferiors to superiors.
3rd. കൊള്ളാം, or കൊള്ളായിരുന്നു. It is well; It were well.
This mode of expression is used by inferiors to superiors when respect-
fully requesting permission to do any thing, and is equivalent to let do if
you please; as,
ഞാൻ അതചെയ്താൽ കൊള്ളായിരുന്നു. Allow me to do that.
The same form is frequently used to desire, beseech, or advise; as,
താൻ നാളെ വന്നാൽ കൊള്ളാം or കൊള്ളായിരുന്നു.
I desire, or beseech you to come to-morrow.
നിങ്ങൾ ഇതിനെ കുറിച്ച വിചാരിച്ചാൽ കൊള്ളായി
രുന്നു.
I recommend you to consider that matter.
4th. In addressing the Deity, there is a precative form made by drop-
ping ഉന്നു of the present indicative, and adding എണമെ;21 as from
സഹായിക്കുന്നു, to assist; comes സഹായിക്കെണമെ, pray help.
ഞങ്ങളുടെ ദിവസമുള്ള അപ്പം ഇന്ന ഞങ്ങൾക്ക തരെ
ണമെ.
Give us this day our daily bread.
21 For the origin of this form, see the defective verb വെണം para 126, sec.1.
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