tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Sat Mar 09 13:49:35 1996
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Re: TKD 4.4.
- From: [email protected] (Alan Anderson)
- Subject: Re: TKD 4.4.
- Date: Sat, 9 Mar 1996 16:51:24 -0500
David Barron writes:
>I am trying to clear up an ambiguity in TKD 4.4.
>The section seems to indicate that ONLY the suffix {-qu'} can
>be used to modify a stative verb that is acting as an
>adjective.
What's ambiguous about it? First it says "The rover {-qu} /emphatic/
(section 4.3) may follow verbs functioning adjectivally." This tells
us that {-qu'} is permitted. Later, when discussing the use of Type 5
noun suffixes along with adjectival verbs, it says "...the verb...when
used to modify the noun in this way, can have no other suffix except
the rover {-qu'} /emphatic/." This tells us that *only* {-qu'} is
permitted if there's a Type 5 noun suffix. This is absolutely clear
and unambiguous.
It doesn't quite answer the question of whether other suffixes may be
used if there *isn't* a Type 5 noun suffix (it says "no *other* suffix"
which implies that it's not talking about the general case). However,
there are examples that tell us at least *some* verb suffixes are okay.
I think PK says approximately {wa'maH yIHmey lI'be'} for "ten useless
tribbles."
>Example:
>I am distressed because of my friends unfortunate death.
>{jISot jupwI' Hegh Do'Ha'mo'}
By the rules given in TKD 4.4, this is not permitted.
>Or should it be
>{jISot jupwI' Heghmo' Do'Ha'} ?
No, this doesn't follow the rules either. Basically, it seems we don't
have a way to say "unfortunate death" at all.
But your original meaning is a little unclear. Do you really mean the
"death" is unfortunate? Try referring to your unfortunate *friend*.
{jupwI' Do'Ha' Heghmo' jISot}
Better yet, put the {-mo'} on a verb. Actions cause events more often
than mere things cause events.
{Heghpu'mo' jupwI' Do'Ha' jISot} or {Do'Ha' Heghpu'mo' jupwI' jISot}.
-- ghunchu'wI' batlh Suvchugh vaj batlh SovchoH vaj