tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Sat Dec 06 16:16:07 1997
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KLBC: About {-choH}
- From: Qov <[email protected]>
- Subject: KLBC: About {-choH}
- Date: Sat, 06 Dec 1997 16:16:01 -0800
When I answer a KLBC I address the usage in a particular posting, but rarely
in general. Here's an "in general" on the type 3 suffix {-choH}. Let me
know if it is useful, I found a directory full of these things.
The type 3 verb suffix {-choH} indicates a change in state or motion.
It can usually be translated "start to do" or "begin doing" the
action of the verb, but there is often a much more natural English
expression, sometimes peculiar to the particular verb that translates
it better.
ba' loD
The man was sitting/sits/will be sitting.
ba'choH loD
The man sat down/will sit down/is taking a seat.
Note that I could translate both of these as "sat/sits/will sit" but
that would lose the distinction.
paq vIlaDchoH
I start reading the book.
nom paq vIlaDchoH
I start reading the book quickly.
I quickly start reading the book.
It isn't certain whether the change indicated means that I'm changing
from reading the book slowly to reading quickly, or from not reading
it at all to reading it quickly. Context will tell, if it is
important.
SoQ jatlhpu'DI' yIHoH
Kill him when he has given his speech.
SoQ jatlhchoHpu'DI' yIHoH
Kill him when he has started giving his speech.
When the verb is negated {-choH} indicates changing to not doing the
thing.
nubejbe'choHpu' chaH
They've stopped watching us, they've changed to not watching us.
When {-choH} is negated, there is not a change.
yImev jatlh yaS 'ach qetchoHbe' Haw'lI'bogh qama'
"The officer said to stop but the fleeing prisoner didn't break
stride." more literally, "... didn't change running."
jatlh mang qama' ghaH puqloDlI''e'. tlhuHchoH be'.
The soldier said that her son was a prisoner. The woman's breath
caught.
Heghlaw'pu' be' 'a chaq vItoDlaH jatlh Qel. roDaj mup. tlhuHchoH be'.
"She has apparently died but perhaps I can save her," said the
doctor. He struck her chest. The woman started breathing.
ropchoHghach - the onset of illness
jIQongchoHlI' - I'm in the process of falling asleep.
bIyajchoHbej - You're definitely getting it.
yIHvam DIbuSnISqu'choHneS - With all due respect, sir, whe have
*got* to start paying attention to these tribbles.
wej pajrupchoHlaw' - I don't think he's getting ready
to resign yet.
pequrchoHQo' - Don't get greedy.
DoqchoHlI' naH - The fruit is turning red.
nonchoHlI' naH - The fruit is going rotten.
torchoHtaHvIS - While he is kneeling (i.e. while he is getting onto
his knees)
tortaHvIS - While he is kneeling (i.e. while he his down on his
knees.)
labbeHchoHbejlI' - It's definitely getting ready to transmit.
Some verbs have the idea of change built into them. Adding {-choH}
to them gives the idea of a change to or the onset of the change.
loD mojlI' - He is becoming a man.
loD mojchoHlI' - He is starting to become a man.
tlhe' Duj - The ship turned.
tlhe'choH Duj - The ship started the turn.
Notice that sometimes it is better to translate so the English has
more nouns. Remember this, so that someday when you want to translate
"started the turn" you aren't tempted to say {*tlhe'taHghach tagh}
DaH mojaqvam yIlo'choH.
Qov [email protected]
Beginners' Grammarian