tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Thu May 27 08:35:05 2004

Back to archive top level

To this year's listing

[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]

Re: yI- -choH (was core semantic case roles: agent, patient, focus)

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

...Paul:
> >I would like for you to explain *how* you thing /yIQong/ and /yIQongchoH/
> >differ significantly.  I realize there are many constructs/concepts in
> >Klingon that don't have a good English *equivalent*, but that does not
> >mean that they cannot be *explained* in English. [...]
> >In fact, would you EVER use /-choH/ on a verb if you put an imperative 
> prefix
> >on it?

taD:
>We have at least one canon example of this in Power Klingon, albeit spoken
>by a non-Klingon:
>   {yIjotchoH}
>The terran wants the Klingon (who is angry) to calm down. The added {-choH}
>just sounds like he is emphasizing a change of state - he wants the Klingon
>to change from angry to calm. To me, this sounds like the difference
>between "Be calm!" or "Stay calm!", and "Calm down!" - the latter suggests
>to me a complete 180 degree change, rather than going from a neutral state
>between calm and angry.

There's another example of this very word in KGT with a bit of context:

   bIboH.  yIjotchoH!
   You're impatient. Calm down! KGT

Although I can't find any contrasting pairs of the pattern {yI[VERB]} vs. 
{yI[VERB]choH}, there is another example of the latter used twice in canon:

   yItamchoH
   Be quiet! TKD

   When first officer ChaqI was making disparaging comments about the Pakled,
   Gowron told him {yItamchoH}. [KCD]

It may turn out that {yI[VERB]choH} isn't being contrasted with {yI[VERB]}, 
but with another suffixed form:

   yItamchoH!
   Be quiet! (i.e. Become quiet! Quiet down! Shut up! Don't say another word!)

   yItamtaH!
   Be quiet! (i.e. Stay/Remain quiet! Don't say a word! Don't say anything!)

   yItammoH!
   Quiet him/her! (i.e. Make him/her quiet! Shut him/her up!)



-- 
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons

Back to archive top level