tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Sat Nov 30 14:09:34 1996
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RE: KLBC: interrogative punctuation
- From: "David Trimboli" <[email protected]>
- Subject: RE: KLBC: interrogative punctuation
- Date: Sat, 30 Nov 96 20:52:02 UT
November 29, 1996 11:08 AM, jatlh Andrew 'Ska' Netherton:
> > > jIneH,
> >
> > "I want"? What do you mean by that?
>
> I thought it out-of-context to use <nuqneH>, as *I* am the one
> speaking here, and am the one who desires something. An alternate
> greeting form for this medium, specific to the content of my letter.
I like your thinking, but it really doesn't work. (At least you're not
barging into a room and shouting "What do you want?")
When a Klingon has something to say, he just says it. If he has to get
someone's attention first (not really necessary in a mailing-list format), he
might shout {SuH}, {SU'}, {'eH}, or {SSS} (the last is not actually a word,
but is a slurred form or {SuH}). These all mean "Get ready!" They indicate
that the speaker is about to give a command. {Su'} and {SuH} can also
indicate that something is about to happen.
> > > SuStel chojang. Qapla'...
> >
> > This should be a command. {SuStel, HIjang!} or {HIjang, SuStel!}
>
> I figured (loosely translating) "SuStel, you answer me." was
> sufficient. Yes, I could have stated it more forcefully, but then that
> brings up whether I *should* have. I could have easily written <SuStel
> chojangneS>, which probably would have made more sense. Yes? (Too many
> options...)
It's not a question of force, it's a question of command. When you tell
someone "Answer me," you are giving them a command. Read TKD section 4.1.2.
--
SuStel
Beginners' Grammarian
Stardate 96916.8