performs the singulative function for collective nouns.

Notice the affix '-a' in all these examples, which indicates the feminine form. Notice also that plural forms may be derived from these singulatives in a regular way: goroshina->goroshiny (several peas), etc.

In both East Slavic and Arabic, the singulative form always takes on the feminine gender.

Singulative markers are found throughout the Nilo-Saharan languages. Majang,

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