tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Tue Mar 30 08:13:20 2004

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Re: -Daq, subject, object

Steven Boozer ([email protected]) [KLI Member] 

Dar'Qang:
> > In the sentence:
> >   lojmItDaq puqbe'wI' vIlegh.
> > Is there a standard, or default interpretation as to who would be at
> > the door?

ngabwI':
>I have always had the impression that {-Daq} marks the location of the
>action of the verb:

Often true, but not always.  Okrand on {-Daq}:

   This suffix indicates that something is happening (or has happened
   or will happen) in the vicinity of the noun to which it is attached.
   It is normally translated by an English preposition: "to, in, at,
   on." The exact translation is determined by the meaning OF THE
   WHOLE SENTENCE."  (TKD 27f., emphasis added)

Examples where {Daq} refers to the location of the object, not the subject 
(assuming they're in different locations):

   Qo'noS wa'Daq baHta' ['entepray']
   "Enterprise fired on Kronos One..."  ST6

   mIvwIjDaq poghlIj vIcha'
   I display your glove on my helmet. KGT

   raSDaq jengva' vItatlh
   I return the plate to the table. (st.k 7/99)

Note too:

   When used with nouns with the locative suffix {-Daq}, the finger verbs
   mean "point (with a specific finger) at or towards". (HQ 10.2:8)

     maghwI'Daq jISIq
     I point at the traitor with my index finger.
     I point out the traitor with my index finger. (HQ 10.2:11)

     maghwI'Daq SIq naQjejwIj
     My spear points at the traitor.
     I point at the traitor with my spear. (HQ 10.2:11)

Dar'Qang's example is therefore ambiguous; either the speaker, his/her 
daughter, or both of them could be at the door -- exactly as in 
English.  You have to rely on context - i.e. the previous or following 
sentence(s) - to know for certain.  But this is not a problem since no 
statement is completely without context... except concocted examples in 
grammar books!



-- 
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons

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