The apostrophe was a compounding device, though simple combination is used also. It also signifies a slight pause; a distinct break in the word, but less than the break between two words.
Adding an ‘n’ is one way to make a plural, with words ending in a vowel, but some words change form in plural and some are identical in plural and singular; including but not limited to most words that end in ‘n’ in the singular. The word mai means “maiden” or “maidens.” One word for “spear” is dareis , but its plural is darei . Another way of making a plural is adding an ‘i’, as in shar —”blood” and Shari —”Bloods,” or an ‘in’—”seeker” is mahdi and “seekers” is mahdi’in . This is all of course complicated by the fact that some words change form depending on modifiers as well, and also sometimes to indicate increased importance ( a’vron versus Ma’vron for “watchers”).
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