tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Fri Nov 10 19:05:19 2000
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Re: Grammar Highlight Each Day: purpose clause
ja' peHruS:
> Disclaimer: This "tip" may create discussion about the fine points of the
> Klingon language.
Is it permitted to create discussion about the gross points as well?
> ...Today's grammar highlight is
> concerned only with one issue, i.e., the purpose clause marker, -meH.
Any introductory discussion of {-meH} should probably point out that it is
unique among type 9 verb suffixes, in that the clause it creates can be
used to modify either a verb or a noun. See TKD section 6.2.4, pages 64-65.
And perhaps the words "purpose clause" should be explained. If an activity
is being performed in order to achieve a goal, the verb associated with
that activity receives the {-meH} suffix. The clause containing that verb
is called a "purpose clause", and goes before the verb or noun being
modified.
> be' luqIpmeH puqpu', naQmey lo'. The child uses a stick to hit the woman.
I realize that these are supposed to highlight specific points, but is it
really necessary to ignore completely the previously presented points about
plurals? An example sentence and its translation should not disagree with
each other as strongly as these do.
> batlh peqeq! peghojchu'! Qapla', peHruS
chatlh yIqeH. peSovchu': QapHa' peHruS.
-- ghunchu'wI' 'utlh