tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Thu Feb 16 04:47:41 2006

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Re: Negative numbers

MorphemeAddict ([email protected])

• From: [email protected]
• Subject: Re: Negative numbers
• Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 07:47:15 EST

In a message dated 2/15/2006 7:16:13 PM Central Standard Time, 
[email protected] writes:

> Is there any known reference in tlhIngan Hol to negative numbers?
> For example, how can I write "-1"?
> 
> Thanks,
> Daniel Abraham
> 


We specifically do *not* know how Klingons talk about negative numbers.

Looking at the new word list tells us that the word for "subtract" is <boqHa'>
.  

/tlh/newwords.html

HolQeD v9n3p10 (September 2000) is where subtraction is discussed:

"(b) Subtraction

       For subtraction, the suffix {-Ha'} 
"undo" is attached to {boq} producing 
{boqHa'}, literally "dis-ally" or 
"dissociate from."  Thus, "4 - 3 = 1" 
would be {loS boqHa' wej; chen wa'} 
(literally, "three dissociates from 
four, one forms").

       When subtracting, the subject 
and object cannot be reversed 
without changing the equation.  {wej 
boqHa' loS} would be "3 - 4" and the 
answer would be a negative number 
(a concept Maltz wanted to 
postpone for another time)."

jInejDI' jISammo' jIQuch.

lay'tel SIvten

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