tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Dec 06 16:48:53 1999
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Re: KLBC: bang
>From: [email protected]
>Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 13:00:34 EST
>
>In a message dated 12/6/99 11:54:17 AM Central Standard Time,
>[email protected] writes:
>
>> jatlh Regina:
>>
>> > Can I use "bang" also as a verb? well, per example vIbang?
>>
>> ghobe'. Parts of speech are fixed in Klingon, just like in English. You
>> certainly wouldn't say "I have to computer an email message" in English,
>and
>
>Actually, one of the sources of confusion about this topic is the fact that
>you _could_ say "I have to computer an email message". It might
>seem odd, but would be completely understood. English has an amazing
>ability to change the part of speech of its words, mostly because
>parts of speech aren't marked in any way on English words. What newbies must
>learn is that Klingon does not enjoy the same freedom. Even without any
>apparent difference in structure, nouns must remain nouns and verbs verbs
>until MO says otherwise.
Yes and yes. Okrand himself is of the opinion that pretty much every noun
in English can be verbed. His example is that if you were to ask a bunch
of Trek fans, "Is it better to Kirk one's enemies or to Picard them?" you'd
get some heated discussion on the matter... but not blank stares about the
grammar. And he explicitly says that it is not so in Klingon.
~mark
non-canon KWOTD: <'utbe'moH>: to obviate (the need for)
(happened to come to me in class, when the teacher used the word "obviate")