tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Wed Feb 23 23:50:05 1994

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Re: pegh in PK

     On {pegh}:

     I think more than whether or not a word has the word "be" in its
definition, the pattern Okrand uses for definitions between the English to
Klingon side and the Klingon to English side tells whether or not a verb can
be used adverbially. {pegh} fits that pattern for an adjectivally useful
verb.

     Look at {bIr}. In the K to E side, it says [be cold], the verb as verb
and not the verb as adjective. In the E to K side, it says [cold, be cold],
the verb as adjective first, then the verb as verb. There is no sorted entry
for [be cold] in the E to K side, and there is no entry for [cold] in the K
to E side. While this is odd, it is consistent for EVERY verb that has "be"
as the first word in its K to E definition. These are also all words that can
be used adjectivally.

     In the K to E side, {pegh} is [keep something secret], the verb as verb
and not the verb as adjective. In the E to K side, it says [secret, keep
something secret], the verb as adjective first, then the verb as verb, just
like all those "to be" words. There is no sorted entry for [keep something
secret] in the E to K side and there is no [secret] entry in the K to E side.

     We should look to see if there are other such definitions to fit this
pattern. It has really been my intent all along to draw the line between
verbs that can or cannot be used as adjectives based upon this pattern more
than upon "be" in their definition. It just so happens that most of the words
that fit this pattern use "be".

     I think that Okrand, when making up all these words, somehow set up a
process that resulted in this pattern which is different for adjectival verbs
than for other verbs. It is VERY consistent. Of course, you won't tend to
notice that unless you retype the ENTIRE FUCKING DICTIONARY.

     Ahem. Excuse me. I'm only about 25 hours into the process so far...

charghwI'

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