tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Sat Jan 11 15:16:08 1997
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RE: KLBC: Duj ghoStaH
- From: "David Trimboli" <[email protected]>
- Subject: RE: KLBC: Duj ghoStaH
- Date: Sat, 11 Jan 97 18:20:38 UT
January 10, 1997 8:34 AM EST, jatlh [email protected]:
> Duj ghoStah
>
> I can't find a definition that makes sense for the taH
> suffix on ghoS
>
> TKD gives ghoStaH: it is approaching it
>
> I feel im missing something here.
{-taH} isn't a suffix which has a one-for-one meaning with something else in
English. TKD suggests "It is approaching it" instead of "It approaches it."
The concept is: in {ghoStaH}, the action of approaching is continuous; it is
proceeding as of the time in question. {ghoS} has no indication of whether or
not the action is continuous. Usually, when I see {ghoS}, I don't assume that
an action is in progress, but hasn't finished yet; I just see the action
happen, and that's the end of it.
{ghoStaH Duj} "The ship is approaching." Even as we speak, the ship is
getting closer to our location (although there's no indication that we are the
ship's destination; if you want that, use the suffix {-lI'}).
{ghoS Duj} "The ship approaches." When the sentence is done, I'd assume that
the ship is now next to you. There is no sense of "still happening." It's
done.
> On a second note, what does the list feel about IHoS as a name.
> It dosent mean anything and it starts with a vowel but I kind of like
> it. Opinions?
It's your call. I'll just say that when I pronounce {IHoS}, I'm going to be
adding a glottal stop to the beginning most of the time ({'IHoS}). I can say
it without it, but it takes a great deal of effort.
--
SuStel
Beginners' Grammarian
Stardate 97031.5