tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Mar 24 18:43:09 1997
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RE: KLBC-First Time
- From: "David Trimboli" <[email protected]>
- Subject: RE: KLBC-First Time
- Date: Mon, 24 Mar 97 23:25:20 UT
On Monday, March 24, 1997 2:50 AM, [email protected] on behalf of Mike
Andrew wrote:
> Alright, I think I'm ready to try this now. I just made up small sentences
at random, let me know how I did. :)
lu'.
> Mike pongwIj
> My name is Mike.
To say <something> is <something else>, you need to use a "to be"
construction, as described in TKD section 6.3. Also, when using non-Klingon
names or words, mark them with something: quotes, asterisks, whatever. That
way we recognize it as a non-Klingon word.
*Mike* 'oH pongwIj'e'.
There's another, more complicated way to say this. I'll just show you:
jIHvaD *Mike* ponglu'
I am called "Mike."
Most literally, this would be translated as "Mike is named, and that naming is
applied to me."
> [yourname] ponglIj
> Your name is [yourname]
Same thing.
[yourname] 'oH ponglIj'e'.
> cha'maH loS ghepwIj
> My age is 24.
Hmmm . . . I don't know the word {ghep}. I can't find it anywhere.
Marc Okrand has shown us a good way to say this:
cha'maH loS ben jIbogh
I was born 24 years ago.
> Hung'avwI' vIvu'
> I manage security guards.
maj. Though remember to be sparing in creating compound nouns. This one is
pretty clear, I think.
> tlhIngan Hol Dajatlhbe'
> You do not speak the Klingon language.
maj.
> tlhIngan Hol vIjatlh 'e' vIghojtaH
> I am learning to speak the Klingon language.
Oohh, not quite. You got snagged on a tricky little rule in TKD 6.2.5. It
tells us that the second verb of a sentence-as-object formation cannot take a
Type 7 (aspect) suffix. You have to put it on the first verb instead.
tlhIngan Hol vIjatlhtaH 'e' vIghoj.
The rule is rather arbitrary, so just get used to it.
> tlhIngan Hol vIghojtaH
> I am learning the Klingon language.
maj.
> tlhIngan Hol vIjatlhchu' vIneH
> I want to speak the Klingon language clearly.
majQa'!
> tlhIngan Hol Daghoj DaneH'a'
> Do you want to learn the Klingon language?
majQa'!
> tlhIngan Hol Dajatlh 'e' Daghoj DaneH'a'
> Do you want to learn to speak the Klingon language?
bIjatlhchu'qu'!!!!!! majQa'!!!!!
> batlh Daghajchu'
> You clearly possess honor.
maj.
> not Hubbeq vIbup!
> I will never quit the Defense Force!
This is good, although I wonder if {bup} means "quit, give up" or "quit
(something)." If the first, you haven't gotten it quite right. Until we know
more, however, this looks good.
> nom Hoch vIghoj
> I learn everything quickly.
maj.
> qeSlIj vItlho'lI' jIH
> I would appreciate your advice.
"I am thanking your advice"?
Don't be so human when speaking Klingon! A Klingon wouldn't say a wishy-washy
thing like "I would appreciate your advice"! He'd say, "Advise me now!"
DaH HIqeS!
> tlhIngan Hol ghojwI'
> Student of the Klingon Language.
>
> mIq (Kli tranlation of my name?)
> Mike
That sounds more like the name "Mick." A closer phonetic approximation of
your name (which actually isn't possibly according to standard observed
Klingon phonetics) is {mayq}. Careful, though! There's at least one other
list member who calls himself {mayq}! Why not take the time to invent a good
Klingon name?
--
SuStel
Beginners' Grammarian
Stardate 97229.2