tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Tue Dec 17 18:14:28 1996
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RE: KLBC: Phrases
- From: "David Trimboli" <[email protected]>
- Subject: RE: KLBC: Phrases
- Date: Tue, 17 Dec 96 23:19:36 UT
December 13, 1996 9:52 PM, jatlh Kontay:
> I have 116 phrases that I need help with.
{{:-O
> I translated them a year ago so I
> don't trust that I did them right. I would greatly appreciate any and all
> assistance with them. I shall break them up into 4 e-mails so to reduce the
> length of this e-mail.
And *I* shall only respond to those which need explanation. I shall delete
anything which is completely correct.
> 2) little child
> puqHom
{-Hom} means more than just "small" or "little," it means that the noun has a
lesser meaning than the original. {mab} means "treaty," but {mabHom} doesn't
mean a shorter treaty, it's more like "informal alliance."
"Little child" would simply be {puq mach}.
> 13) five foreigners
> novpu' vagh
When numbering things, the number word comes first: {vagh novpu'}.
Furthermore, noun plural markers are almost always optional, so this could
also be just {vagh nov}.
> 14) their five foreigners
> novpu'chaj vagh
Same thing: {vagh novpu'chaj} or just {vagh novchaj}.
> 15) their treaties
> mabpu'chaj
Treaties don't speak, so you must use the {-mey} plural suffix. {mabmeychaj}.
> 16) our treaties
> mabpu'ma'
Because they don't speak, you must also use the {-maj} possessive suffix.
{mabmeymaj}
> 17) due to your big hand
> ghop'a'lIjmo'
Like {-Hom}, {-'a'} doesn't merely mean "bigger." It means that the thing is
bigger, more important, or greater than the noun without the suffix.
Continuing my other example, {mab} is "treaty," while {mab'a'} could mean
"formal ties and great friendship between two governments."
Due to your big hand
ghoplIj tInmo'
Note that when using {tIn} adjectivally, you put Type 5 noun suffixes on the
end of it! (TKD p. 50)
> 18) Klingons all over the place
> tlhInganpu'mey
You cannot combine two suffixes of the same type, whether noun or verb. If
you say {tlhInganmey}, you have successfully indicated the "all over the
place" idea.
> 19) little girl
> be'Hom
Actually, check the dictionary. {be'Hom} is listed, meaning "girl." If you
want to say "little girl," say {be'Hom mach}.
> 20) big secrets
> pegh'a'mey
Now, THIS is the correct use of {-'a'}!
> 25) I'm honored to talk to you
> qajatlhneS
We believe that when using {jatlh}, the only object it is allowed to use is
the name of a language. {qajatlh} means "I speak you." This really doesn't
work. Use {-vaD} for the "to you" part:
SoHvaD jIjatlhneS.
Also, consider
SoHvaD jIjatlhmo', jIquv.
Because I talk to you, I am honored. (This is closer to the English meaning.)
> 26) We have eaten it
> maSopwI'taH
nuqjatlh? Check out those suffixes! Besides having a Type 9 ({-wI'}) coming
before a Type 7 ({-taH}), neither of these are what you mean! To indicate
that something is completed, use either {-pu'} or {-ta'}. Which one you
choose depends on whether the goal was to eat.
maSoppu'.
We have eaten.
Notice that I didn't say "it." This would be an object. If you have "it" as
an object, you must use a different prefix: {wI-}.
wISoppu'.
We have eaten it.
> 27) They have spoken to one another
> jatlhchuqtaH
{-taH} is the "continuous" suffix, not the "completed" suffix.
Also, {jatlhchuq} means "They speak each other." This doesn't work. It seems
an appropriate time to use a verb which Okrand provides: {ja'chuq} "confer."
(Note, there's a lot of controversy on this one!)
ja'chuqta'.
They have conferred.
> 29) We are always going.
> maghoStaH
Weeeeelllll, this really means that at the time in question, the action of
going, or approaching, is continuous. If you want "always," use the adverbial
{reH}:
reH maghoStaH.
We are always continuously going.
--
SuStel
Beginners' Grammarian
Stardate 96963.6