tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Fri Nov 10 07:04:40 2000
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Grammar Highlight Each Day: purpose clause
- From: [email protected]
- Subject: Grammar Highlight Each Day: purpose clause
- Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 10:04:16 EST
Disclaimer: This "tip" may create discussion about the fine points of the
Klingon language. There are many grammar points that have been discussed
over the years. I am not claiming to be the authority, only someone posting
information which may be helpful to learning.
For further, deeper, discussion of any Grammar Highlight, see Marc Okrand's
materials, including The Klingon Dictionary.
Purpose clauses in Klingon: -meH (verb suffix, type 9)
Ha'DIbaH pe'meH ghot, taj lo'. = In order to cut the meat, the person uses a
knife.
Ha'DIbaH = meat [also translatable as animal] (noun)
pe' = cuts (verb)
-meH = in order to, for the purpose of (verb suffix, type 9)
ghot = person (noun)
taj = knife (noun)
lo' = uses (verb)
There are other issues in this sentence. Today's grammar highlight is
concerned only with one issue, i.e., the purpose clause marker, -meH.
Sentences to compare: loD chopmeH targh, Ho'Du' lo'. = In order for the dog*
to bite the man, it uses teeth.
loD = man, male (noun)
chop = bites (verb)
targh = dog-/pig-like Klingon animal
Ho' = tooth (noun); Ho'Du' = teeth (body part noun in the plural)
be' luqIpmeH puqpu', naQmey lo'. The child uses a stick to hit the woman.
be' = woman (noun)
qIp = hits (verb); luqIp = they hit him, her, it (not them)
puq = child (noun); puqpu' = children (plural of noun capable of language)
naQ = stick (noun); naQmey= sticks (plural of noun not capable of language)
batlh peqeq! peghojchu'! Qapla', peHruS