tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Mar 17 18:44:19 1997

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RE: KLBC: ghomvaD wa'DIch jabbI'IDwIj



jatlh maqlIy:

> ghItlh IrmI : < paqmey law' pollu'bogh qachDaq jIvum.>
> 
> maj!  paqqachDaq jIvum je.
> Good! I work in a bookbuilding (library) also.

{paqqach} might also refer to a bookstore, but I think the phrase is 
understandable.

> paq chorghnetlh ngaS.
> It has eighty thousand (80,000) books.

When you are counting something, the number word comes before the noun.  See 
TKD 5.2.

chorghnetlh paq ngaS.

> De' vItu'meH qawHaqmey vInej.
> I search databanks in order to find information.

{nej} means "search for," not "search (something)."  The object is the thing 
you're looking for.  You are not searching for databanks, you're using them in 
order to search.  Recast:

De' vItu'meH qawHaqmey vIlo'.
I use the databanks in order to find information.

> nuvpu'vad yu'wI'mey vIjang.
> I answer questions for people. 
> [SuStel: this sentence feels wrong, but I don't know why.]

It's because {jang} has to do with talking, and any words to do with talking 
are high on our (at least, my) "how the @#$ do you use it" list.  So far, the 
only instances of {jang} we've seen in canon are from the jokes in Power 
Klingon.  They never have an object.  If it is allowed to have an object, I'd 
expect the object to be the person being answered.  If this is right:

De' poQchugh vay', mutlhob 'ej vIjang.
If someone requires information, he asks me and I answer him.

This is far removed from the original sentence, but I think it conveys the 
same idea.

Now, what about {yu'wI'mey} for questions?  I don't know if I like it; I get a 
picture in my head of a lot of mean Klingon interrogators in a dark room, 
surrounding the latest catch.  Who needs a mind sifter?

> jIHvaD paqqachlIj yIDel.
> Describe your library to me (please).

I like your English translation.  Don't be afraid to add politeness to English 
expressions where there are none in Klingon.  For Klingons, politeness is 
expressed by not wasting another's time, and by getting right to the point.  
And maybe flattering his sense of honor.

Imri!  yIjang!

-- 
SuStel
Beginners' Grammarian
Stardate 97210.4


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