tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Fri May 26 07:58:25 1995
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Re: What's wrong with "which"?
On Thu, 25 May 1995, yoDtargh wrote:
> To me, "which" is similar to "what" and "who". "What" inquires as to one of
> any conceivable possibility, "who" inquires as to what person, while "which"
> inquires as to one of a particular group or objects or persons.
> Human vIQaw'meH nuq vIlo'? (What should I use to destroy the human?)
> Human vIQaw'meH nuH nuq vIlo'? (Which weapon should I use to destroy the
> human?) or (What weapon should I use to destroy the human?)
> By using {nuq} or {'Iv} in a noun-noun construction...
> tay yuQmeyvam nuq? (Which of these planets is civilized?)
> qama'pu'vam 'Iv wIHoH? (Which of these prisoners should we kill?)
I like this idea. It would certainly get my vote. The problem is that
we aren't voting. We do not have the right to make up such policies.
Your idea does not, to me, seem to be an existing part of the grammar.
By current grammar I get "the weapon's what", "these planets' what", and
"these prisoners' who". I am hopeful that Okrand will hear of your idea
and approve it, but until then, it is only a possibility and not a usable
rule.
janSIy