tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Thu Jun 19 23:59:51 1997
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Re: mughmeH qeq
- From: [email protected]
- Subject: Re: mughmeH qeq
- Date: Fri, 20 Jun 1997 02:59:20 -0400 (EDT)
In a message dated 97-06-19 23:38:44 EDT, charghwI' writes:
<< You forget that {rIntaH} is a special case. It can follow a
complete sentence with a more emphatic equivalent to a {-pu'}
suffix on the previous verb. >>
Special case, yes. But, according to TKD p41 Sec. 4.2 7. Aspect: "The
meaning of
{-ta'} can also be indicated syntactically. That is, instead of using the
suffix {-ta'}, a special verbal construction can follwo the verb which
indicates the accomplished action. This special verb is {rIn} "be finished,
accomplished," and in this usage it always takes the suffix {-taH}
"continuous" (see bleow) and the thir-person pronomial prefix (0). The
resulting construction, {rIntaH}, literally means "it continues to be
finished" or "it remains accomplished." It is used ot indicate that the
action denoted by the preceding verb is a fait accompli: it is done, and it
cannot be undone."
"The English translations of {rIntaH} and {-ta'} are usually the same. The
notion of absolute finality implied by {rIntaH] selcom comes across.
"It should be noted that {rIntaH} is sometimes used for dramatic effect, even
in cases when the action could be undone."
>From the above quote I infer that {rIntaH} substitutes for {-ta'}, not for
{-pu'}.
Finally, perhaps separate sentences would fit the feel of tlhIngan Hol
better.
Again, the original idea I was trying to translate into tlhIngan Hol, from a
challenge from one of my students here in Colorado, was: Four days after the
rain stopped the boulder fell.
Thank you all for your analysis. I regret that the sentence did not separate
into phrases well for you.
peHruS