tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Tue Nov 19 15:16:13 1996
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
RE: My First Translation(using the nIS(need to) prefix)
- From: "David Trimboli" <[email protected]>
- Subject: RE: My First Translation(using the nIS(need to) prefix)
- Date: Tue, 19 Nov 96 21:41:01 UT
Hi! I'm SuStel, the list's Beginners' Grammarian! I'll give you a hand here!
bIjatlh:
> yISopnIS
> I need to eat. (I=B4m hungry.)
{yI-} is an imperative (command) prefix. If you're speaking in first person,
singular, and there is no object (as in this case), then the correct prefix to
use is {jI-}.
jISopnIS.
I need to eat.
Note also:
jIghung
I am hungry.
> qajatlhnIS
> I need to speak with you.
This has been a point of contention here on the list. Let me show you how you
should probably say this:
SoHvaD jIjatlhnIS.
I need to speak with you.
The {-vaD} suffix on "you" means that "you" will receive the results of the
action ("speak"). {jIjatlh} is "I speak." {SoHvaD jIjatlh} is "I speak to
you."
> qajaHnIS DaH
> I need to go now.=20
Adverbials like {DaH} always come *before* the phrase. Also, "I go" has no
object, so you should use the {jI-} prefix again.
DaH jIjaHnIS.
I need to go now.
> Satlho=B4=20
> I thank you. (Thanks.)
Make sure you use the correct character key! I can't see your apostrophes!
Satlho'
I thank you (plural).
This is correct, although I doubt it's something you'd hear a Klingon say.
And saying "thanks" is such a typically human thing to do! A Klingon would
just leave when his conversation is finished.
SuStel
Beginners' Grammarian
Stardate 96886.8