tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Sun Jul 09 08:52:41 2000
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
Re: Deixis and direction
jatlh ghunchu'wI':
> > I keep seeing your arguments couched more in terms of manipulating the
> > shape of the wiring in order to match the form of the floating
> > electricity.
jatlh charghwI':
> It's more like each verb has a prewired box with a series of ports mounted
> on it that can be plugged into, so long as the jack fits the port. I
prefer
> this to just having a soldering gun and some wire with the assignment of
> setting up a diagram for the wiring that will handle all varieties of
> electricity for various purposes.
I rather like this analogy, though it does not explain WHY the difference is
important.
You see a verb as a box with prewired ports, which will only accept certain
jacks (sentence elements). You have no choice about which sort of jack goes
where, but when you plug it in, the box will provide its preset function
automatically. The job of the user is to sort through the various jacks and
find the right one.
I see a verb as a box with nearly universally-accepting ports. However, the
circuit will only perform the function you want if you use the right jacks.
We must remember, however, that languages are NOT as exacting as circuits.
The analogy is probably quite limited, and should not be taken too far.
SuStel
Stardate 522.0