tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Thu Jun 01 10:36:19 2006

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Re: Klingon WOTD: neH (verb)

...Paul ([email protected]) [KLI Member] 

On Thu, 1 Jun 2006, Steven Boozer wrote:

>     qama'pu' vIjonta' vIneH I wanted to capture prisoners.
>   In this final example, the first part is {qama'pu' vIjonta'}
>   "I captured prisoners". Note once again that the aspect marker
>   (in this case, {-ta'} "accomplished") goes with the first verb
>   only; the second verb {vIneH} "I want it", is neutral as to time.
>   The past tense of the translation ("I wanted...") comes from the
>   aspect marker on the first verb.
>
> Used in canon:
>
> vIneHpu'
> I wanted them. TKD

Interesting question here.  /vIneHpu'/ is the ONLY example where /neH/ 
takes an aspect marker.  The note above that indicates that the aspect of 
/neH/ comes from the aspect marker on the first verb.

The question is, does this negate the possibility of using an aspect 
marker on /neH/?

For example, is the following still valid?

* 'op leS Duj vIra' vIneHpu'
"I had wanted to command a ship someday."

I think it works; the aspect of the verb "want" in the English is clearly 
past, while the concept expressed as the object of desire is clearly in 
the future...  Does that make sense?

...Paul

          ** ...Paul, [email protected], Insane Engineer **
   ** Visit Project Galactic Guide http://www.galactic-guide.com/ **
            "Do, or do not.  There is no 'try'." -- Yoda

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