tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Tue Nov 04 05:32:56 1997
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KLBC: Mole's tale
Why Mole Lives Underground, a Cherokee tale
parbogh be' parHa' loD. tlho'Daj ghajmeH Hoch nID loD 'ach Qapla' ghajbe'
ghaH. vaj loD tunglu' 'ej 'oH buSmo' rop ghaH.
paw *Mole* 'ej loD tunglu' 'e' legh ghaH. tlhob *Mole* qab nuq. lut naQ
ja' loD. ja' *Mole* qaQaHlaH. DuparHa' be' 'ej DughoSqang be'.
DaH 'oH ram. wutlh 'el *Mole*. pa' be' ghoS ghaH. Qong be'. tIqDaj lel
*Mole*. chegh *Mole* 'ej loDvaD tIq nob *Mole*. ghopDajDaq 'oH tIq'a'
'ach 'oH leghlaHbe'. ja' *Mole* DaSop. vaj DughoSqangbej.
tIq Sop loD. vem be' 'ej pay' loD buS ghaH. loD ghos neH be'. loD
parmo' be' 'oH yajbe' ghaH. loD tu' be' 'ej ja' be' qaparHa'. be'nallI'
jIH jineH. vaj loD nay be' 'ej be' Saw loD.
quppu' lumerlu'. chay' qaSpu' 'e' luSovbe'. qaSmoHpu' *Mole* 'e' tugh
luSov. laHDaj luneH. *Mole* luHoH lubuQ. So'meH wutlh 'el *Mole*. wej
chegh ghaH.
*** ADDENDUM - In defense of Question as Object usage
You probably noticed that I use the sentence "chay' qaSpu' 'e' luSovbe'".
I do this, knowing how controversial it is at the moment. However, I
would argue that users of a language have a right to innovate new usages
when they can find no other efficient way to say what they mean. "-bogh"
would certainly not work here, as I am not referencing a noun but an
action. As a linguist I am biased toward descriptive rather than
prescriptive approaches to grammar. I am also aware of certain things
which Klingon is missing. I feel that the only way in which Klingon can
become a fully expressive language is for users of it to innovate
constructions where they become necessary. Using question words as
objects of "'e'" constructions is a natural way to express certain ideas.
If it weren't, nobody would be doing it. There exists a possibility that
Klingon will evolve into two dialects: one based on canon and Okrand's
explanations, and one based on the actual, practical usage. This isn't a
bad thing. It simply adds to the flavor of the language, i.e. the
development of a formal/colloquial dichotomy. OK, now I've said my piece.
I submit this translation of a Cherokee legend for corrections and such.
Thanks.
Scott
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* Scott Murphy *
* University of Kentucky *
* email: [email protected] *
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