The distinction between case and postpositions is also dealt with as a given requiring no justification or explanation by most NMGs. Thus Arden (1942:74-77) gives the following explication about the Tamil case system:
``102. Tamil Nouns have two Numbers (1) The Singular and (2) The Plural. In each Number there are eight Cases. ...103. The Cases are known in Tamil grammar as the First Case, Second Case, Third Case and so on. ...
105. (A) Singular Number.
(i) The First Case or the Nominative Case Singular is the Noun itself; as nari a jackal, maram a tree. ...
Except the Vocative the remaining Cases are all formed by adding certain casal suffixes to the Inflexional Base. ... It is sometimes called the `Oblique' Case. [His footnote, hs.]
The Inflexional Base is the form of the Noun that takes the casal suffices except the suffix of the Vocative. It is often the same as the Nominative; but it sometimes has a peculiar form of its own. Thus the Inflexional Base of vannan is vannan; of nari is nari; but the Inflexional Base of maram is marattu.
Postpositions are presented as equivalent to English prepositions, except that they are ``suffixes added to the words which they govern, often called Particles and sometimes called Postpositions." (Arden 1942:125) ... ``These Postpositions are often Nouns or Verbs in origin, e.g. kiir is a Noun, time, oriya is a Verb, to cease or to set aside."
Arden then catalogues the various postpositions and the cases they are suffixed to; he notes of course that there is variability in the system: ``Instead of the Accusative, some of these words occasionally take the Nominative case." (Arden 1942:126) ...``But they may also be added to the Inflexional Base." (ibid. p. 127) ...``The following are added to the Inflexional Base. Neuter Nouns usually insert in between the Noun and the Postposition. " (ibid.)
In yet another section of his grammar, entitled ``Uses of the Cases of Nouns and Pronouns," one finds some interesting observations about syntactic problems involving cases and postpositions:
362. (i) The Genitive expresses possession. ...From Arden's description we can see that although he accepts a priori the notion that case and postpositions are separate morphological categories, his own description of exceptions to the rules he gives us, especially in (362) belies the categorical differences he claims exist.
(iii) But in many such cases the case ending is omitted and the Nominative form used. ...
(iv) Very often the Inflexional Base is used. ...
(vi) There is no rule as to which ending in, utaiya, inutaiya, atu should be used. Westerners are apt to use the ending in too frequently.
(vii) The Nominative Case should not be used for the Genitive if any ambiguity is likely. (Arden 1942:190-1)