tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Thu Nov 16 05:46:06 2000
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Re: plurals (was Re: Grammar Highlight Each Day)
- From: [email protected]
- Subject: Re: plurals (was Re: Grammar Highlight Each Day)
- Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2000 08:45:43 EST
In a message dated 11/9/2000 7:16:26 PM Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
<< One: I was quite deliberate in my choice of words above. I was very
careful to refer to "applying suffixes to indicate plural nouns" in
order not to complicate the situation beyond the categories associated
with the three plural suffixes defined in TKD. I left out irregular
plurals by intent and by design, because they do not involve applying
suffixes to indicate plural nouns, and are not relevant to the
categories I was discussing.
Two: Words having irregular plural forms (such as {jengva'} "plate" or
{vIj} "thruster") are not in the "inherent plural" category. The term
"inherent plural" applies to a noun which indicates multiple things but
is treated as singular for the purposes of grammar. The irregular
plurals themselves ({ngop} "plates", {chuyDaH} "thrusters") can be
called inherently plural, but that's not what you said.
>>
DaH chomISmoH. Although {ngop}, as an example of an "inherent plural," does
not use any "suffix" to indicate its plurality, I still think of it as a
plural form. This does not make them irregular, only a different category.
As to how to treat them grammatically, so far I have not seen a grammar
highlight talking about them. You are correct--from what I have been able to
discern from TKD--that Klingon grammar treats them as singular when
conjugating a verb.
While you say you have been really careful and deliberate, it seems to me
that you are picking on the grammar highlights any chance you get. I would
like to see people comment constructively on learning Klingon. Furthermore,
your attitude makes me want to pick on anything I can find wrong in your
postings. I don't like this feeling; I don't really want to do this.
yIghoHtaHQo'! tlhIngan Hol taghwI'pu'vaD pab chovnatlhmey tIpoj! tIDub neH!
tIpovmoH!
Xardana