tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Sat Nov 15 20:35:30 1997
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Re: same verb for "to X" and "to cause someone to X"
- From: "David Trimboli" <[email protected]>
- Subject: Re: same verb for "to X" and "to cause someone to X"
- Date: Sat, 15 Nov 1997 15:37:47 -0500
-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony.Appleyard <[email protected]>
To: Multiple recipients of list <[email protected]>
Date: Saturday, November 15, 1997 8:08 AM
Subject: same verb for "to X" and "to cause someone to X"
> Are there any Klingon verbs that can mean both "to X" and "to cause to
X"?
There are a few. I don't remember all of them, but here are some canon
examples:
mev
bIjatlh 'e' yImev
Shut up! ({mev} is transitive.) (TKD p.172)
not mev peghmey
Secrets never cease. ({mev} is intransitive.} (PK: Secrecy Proverbs)
tagh
Qu' DataghDI' 'aqtu' mellota' je yIqaw.
When you begin a mission, remember Aktuh and Mellota. ({tagh} is
transitive.} (TKW p.187)
taghbej mu'qaD veS.
Curse Warfare has definitely begun. ({tagh} is intransitive.) (PK: final
dialogue)
There is another interesting flip-transitive dichotomy, but I don't remember
what it is right now.
Just because a few words can do this does NOT means that all verbs can.
That's what {-moH} is for. If they could all do it, there would be no
reason whatsoever for {-moH} to exist.
>"If I burn" in Klingon (jImeQchugh), am I the stoker or the fuel?
{meQ} is another funny verb. TKD merely says "burn."
Terrans enjoy eating burnt animals.
Ha'DIbaHmey meQ Sop 'e' tIv tera'nganpu'
(Though it should be {lutIv}. CK: restaurant dialogue)
Notice that {meQ} seems to be used as a verb meaning "be burned."
meQtaHbogh qachDaq Suv qoH neH.
Only a fool fights in a burning house. (TKW p.111)
This one uses {meQ} intransitively. That is, the subject of {meQ} is the
thing that is on fire.
I seem to remember an instance in KGT, but I cannot locate it right now.
SuStel
Stardate 97875.0