tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Fri Dec 16 14:09:55 1994
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Split in >taH< meanings
>From an earlier message I wrote:
> Not that it's canon, but I feel that 'negative angle' most likely refers
> to how one would hold one's disruptor pistol when your Captain ordered
> you to lower your weapons. (That is, to cause your disruptor to be at a
> negative angle.) <snip>
In looking at Mark's comments also, I'm starting to feel that the
'negative angle' probably *does* refer to holding a disruptor pistol a
bit below the horizon... You're not going to fire, but can quickly raise
it to blast your prisoner/enemy/target. In this sense (and here's the
key) you are CONTINUING to hold your weapon at a readiness point. You
aren't holding it up to fire, but you CONTINUE to have it ready.
Now this ties the two meanings of >taH< together! And I'm all for a
little historical speculation on the origins of >Hol<....
So once upon a time, your virdakaasei, I mean disruptor was ordered by
your superior to continue to hold in position. This meant lowering it
(so that it appeared to be at a negative angle), yet it continued to be
at readiness.
Ergo, we have a secondary meaning of >taH< created, and can now see a bit
of evolution in the warrior tongue...
Dave.
<[email protected]> >tlhIngan Hol Dajatlh'a'?< "Pardon me, but if I must
David E G Sturm, Laboratory Manager operate in a vacuum, can
Wake Forest University Department of Physics I at least have a little
Box 7261 Reynolda Station, Winston-Salem NC 27109 ether to calm my nerves?"