tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Wed Nov 15 18:24:12 1995
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Re: pongwIj
Wed, 15 Nov 1995, ghItlh 'etlhqengwI':
> tlhinganpu'
Watch the capitalization of "I": tlhInganpu'
> pongwIj vIwIvta'
maj.
> 'etlhqengwI' tupong tlhIH
This means, "You (pl) name me 'etlhqengwI'."
Since you are giving us an instruction as to what we should name you, you
would use the imperative prefix {HI-}: 'etlhqengwI' HIpong.
The pronoun, {tlhIH} is optional and would typically be used for emphasis or
clarification.
As a side note, this runs into a long-running debate on how to use {pong}
when there are two objects. In your sentence, "me" and {'etlhqengwI'}
are both the objects of the verb {pong}. My position (others may differ)
is that {pong} is probably used similarly to the ditransitive verb {nob} (to
give). One canon example of {nob} being used with two objects is:
{ro'qegh'Iwchab HInob} (Give me the rokeg blood pie) (PK). This example
and others lead me to believe that your usage of {pong} in this manner is
acceptable.
> pongvam mughmeH *Sword Bearer* jatlhlaH tera'ngan
maj.
> ----------
> jIlughqang 'ej jIlughrup
> QaghmeywIj HI'ang tlhIH
>
> -----------
> (I am ready and willing to learn
> Show me my errors)
Here you said "I am willing and ready to be correct". If you wanted to
say "learn", you could substitute {ghoj} for {legh}.
Here, you correctly used the imperative prefix. And you are also using
{'ang} as a ditransitive (two-object) verb. But, IMHO, I think this
usage is fine.
> 'etlhqenwI'
Be sure to spell your name right, 'etlhqengwI'. {{;-)
ponglIj chu' DawIvta'mo' qaHoy'.
yoDtargh