tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Thu Jul 06 19:14:36 2000
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RE: obtuse question
The use of {ben} without a number may not be so much of a problem with
grammar as with culture: A Klingon may be innacurate, but he is never
approximate! Us a number. It doesn't have to be right. It just has to give
you a sense of about how many years ago. Only a human would be too much of a
coward to commit to stating a number next to the year. Humans, we all know,
prefer to be vague, wittering and indecisive.
charghwI'
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2000 1:46 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: obtuse question
>
>
> In a message dated 6/28/2000 12:42:03 PM Central Daylight Time,
> [email protected] writes:
>
> << Also keep in mind that Okrand has *never* used {ben} without a
> number.
> Usages
> like *{ben law'} or *{ben 'ar?} are relatively common on the
> mailing list,
> but
> AFAIK Okrand has never used anything like them, however nice
> they sound to
> us. >>
>
> Since {ben} is a noun, not an adverbial, separating it from use
> with a number
> seems okay to me, too. Looks like another question for MO to settle.
>
> peHruS