tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Aug 04 21:34:49 1997

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Re: KLBC: Klingon Postal Course



On Stardate 97580.9 muHwI' wrote:

> "To enroll, send a self-addressed, stamped 
> (adequate for two ounces) legal-size envelope to: ..."
> 
> 1- Do you think I need that postal course?
> Hopbogh DuSaQ vIlo'nIS 'e' DaQub'a' ?

Well, I wouldn't automatically think of the postal course when I saw {Hopbogh 
DuSaQ}, but otherwise this is fine.

> 2- I live in Europe (Germany). How much does that cost?
> 'almanIa'Daq jIyIntaH. Dochvam DIlmeH Huch 'ar DaneH? (I used *'almanIa'* 
for
> Germany)

We prefer not to transliterate names into Klingon.  Use a real name, keep it 
the same, and just mark it off with asterisks or something.

Otherwise, this is fine.

> 3- How much is two ounces?
> 'ar 'oH cha' *ounces*'e' ?

{'ar} doesn't work like this.  {'ar} modifies nouns only.

When you're asking "How much is two ounces," what exactly are you asking?  Two 
ounces is two ounces.  Perhaps you're asking for the metric equivalent?

cha' "ounce" tu'lu'chugh, "milliliter" 'ar tu'lu'?
If there are two ounces, how many milliliters are there?

> 4- What size is legal-size?
> chay' *legal-size* juvlu' ?

This works, though you're straining because you're talking about concepts for 
which we have no words.

> 5- How can I pay? I have no American stamps.
> chay' qaDIllaH? *American stamps* vIghajbe'.

{DIl} is "pay for," not "pay."  The object of {DIl} is that which is bought.  
Now, prefix-mangaling aside, if there's no stated object, then the prefix MUST 
do.  {qaDIl} means "I pay for you (I just acquired you, and now I'm giving 
over the correct sum for that transaction)."

And you're not asking how you may have ability to pay.  You're just asking how 
to pay.

chay' jIDIl?
How do I pay?

-- 
SuStel
Beginners' Grammarian
Stardate 97590.1


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