Counting: Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers

Niluluk
Ismael K.Isikel 13/12/2016

In response to queries on Counting i now post on cardinal and ordinal numbers bearing in mind that  there are no written records of counting in higher numbers especially by the thousands and up when counting in general. This excludes counting shell money (tip ma tabu) which is the Tolai traditional currency, and still in use today, Tabu once it is in a loop is called a tutana regardless of the number of fathoms, but the individual owners knows how many fathoms of tabu is in the loop. Bear in mind also our old folks had different counting types for certain items such as taro, coconuts, and fish. A bundle of four or six taro (pa) is called a kura pa. Let me not digress further and get back to cardinal and ordinal numbers. Below is a table showing the numbers.

CARDINAL	ORDINAL
1. Tikai	1st Lua, Luaina, Tamaluina
2. Urua	2nd Waurua, Wauruana
3. Utul	3rd Wautul, Wautuluna
4. Iwat	4th Waiwat, Waiwatina
5. Ilima	5th Wailima, Wailimana
6.Laptikai	6th Walaptikai, Walaptikaina
7. Lavurua	7th Walawurua, Walawuruana
8. Lavutul	8th Walawutul, Walawutuluna
9.Lavuvat	9th Walawuwat, Walawuwatina
10.Winun	10th Wawinun, Wawinununa
11. Winun ma tikai	11th Wawinun ma tikai
12. Winun ma urua	12th Wawinun ma urua
......	......
20. Urawinun	20th Wawaurawinun
30. Utulawinun	30th Wawautulawinun,
40. Iwat nawinun	40th Wawaiwat na winun
50. Ilima na winun	50th Wawailima na winun

Sample usage of ordinal numbers

ToWaira a wawaurua na bul kai IaWalaun. ToWaira is IaWalaun's second child.

Ia ra wawauruana. He is the second.

Nam awawautuluna. That is the third.

Nam ia ra wawaiwat na koai utar ienia. That is the fourth mango you have eaten.

A tamaluaina wunuai kai nam ra wudu. That is the first time for that banana to bear fruit.