[tlhIngan Hol] {'er'In} {megh'an} and {qa'rI'}

[Steven Boozer]

mayqel qunenoS:
>> If {'er'In} is used for one end, then {megh'an} is used for the other.
>> Do we have any similar analogy for the {qa'rI'} ?
>>     [....]
>> If anyone would like to look into it, then HolQeD 12.2 Jun. 2003,
>> (which-of-course-I-don't-have-because-if-I-did-I-wouldn't-be-asking)
>> could provide some insight on the matter.

That's my cue... 

(HQ 12.2:7-8):  This can refer to either end of the rope, stick or whatever, but once you arbitrarily choose an end to call {megh'an}, the OTHER end is called {'er'In}. Before you make this initial reference, either end can be called either {'er'In} or {megh'an}.
   For the end of a longish enclosed space that one is typically inside of or experiences from the inside, such as a corridor, tunnel, or conduit (say, a Jefferies tube or a branch of the sewers of Paris), a different word is used: {qa'rI'}. This is the only word; it's used for both (or all) ends. The open entryway leading into such a space is called a {DIn}. If there's a door there, it's referred to by the usual word for door, {lojmIt}. {qa'rI'} is also used for the end of bounded space which is seen as having length even if it is not enclosed space. Thus, it is used for the end of a road, the end of a bridge, the end of a long field. (Maltz didn't think it would mean much of anything to refer to the {qa'rI'} of a square field.)
   On the other hand, if a bridge is under construction and lies halfway across a river or gorge or freeway, it may be said to have a {megh'an} (or {'er'In}). One could, in theory, hang a sign or flag from the {megh'an} (or {'er'In}), but one could walk on this incomplete bridge only as far as the {qa'rI'}.

  naQ 'er'In yI'uch. 
  Grasp the end of the stick. (HQ 12.2)

  naQ 'er'In yI'uchHa'. 
  Let go of the end of the stick. (HQ 12.2)

  naQ megh'an 'er'In je tI'uch
  naQ 'er'In megh'an je tI'uch 
  Grasp both ends of the stick.
  ("grasp the end and the other end of the stick") (HQ 12.2)

  naQ megh'an 'er'In ghap yI'uch
  naQ 'er'In megh'an ghap yI'uch 
  Grasp either end of the stick. 
  ("grasp the end or the other end of the stick") (HQ 12.2)

>> And before you say {DIn}, here is the problem ; If I use {qa'rI'} to
>> describe the end of a corridor or tunnel, then I could use {DIn} to
>> describe the other end. But if I use {qa'rI'}, to describe the end of
>> something which is not enclosed (road, bridge, long field etc), then
>> what do I use for the other end? {DIn} is only to be used for
>> enclosed spaces.

"The open entryway leading into such a space is called a {DIn}. If there's a door there, it's referred to by the usual word for door, {lojmIt}."

>> Also, could I use {qa'rI'} to describe both ends of the same structure?

Yes:  "a different word is used: {qa'rI'}. This is the only word; it's used for both (or all) ends."

PRIVATE PUN: 
At qep'a' wa'maHDIch (2003) Okrand revealed that his nieces, Erin and Meghan, are twins and that Kari is their mother.

SEE ALSO:
latlh 	other one, another one (n)
chob  	corridor (n)
'och 		tunnel (n)
QI  		bridge (n)
naQ  		cane, staff, stick (n)
tlhegh    	line, rope (n)


--
Voragh
tlhIngan ghantoH pIn'a'
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons