tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Tue May 30 17:05:12 2006

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Re: Brainfart question (so dumb it should be KLBC)

MorphemeAddict ([email protected]) [KLI Member] [Hol taghwI']

In a message dated 5/30/2006 2:52:11 PM Central Standard Time, 
[email protected] writes:

> Shane wrote:
> 
> >could "qaneH" be used as present tense or only future tense?
> 
> Both.  As well as past tense.
> 
> Klingon does not mark grammatical tense, only aspect.  Which English tense 
> you use to translate the Klingon depends on the context:
> 
>    qaneH
>    I wanted you. I want you. I will want you.
> 
>    qaneHpu'
>    I had wanted you. I have wanted you. I will have wanted you.
> 
>    qaneHtaH
>    I used to want you. I still want you. I will continue to want you.
> 
>    etc.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --
> Voragh
> 

Context (accompanying speech/text) and setting (external environment) are the 
big determiners here.  If there is no context, then setting determines the 
time/tense.  If there is neither context nor setting, then a default should 
apply, depending on the particular verb.  In this case ({qaneH}), it makes sense 
for the default to be present tense.  
In other words, of the time adverbials that could be used with {qaneH}, {DaH} 
should be chosen before {wa'Hu'} or {wa'leS} when no context or setting 
determines otherwise.

lay'tel SIvten

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