[tlhIngan Hol] does {yay'} have a positive or a negative meaning ?

[Steven Boozer]

bISovbejbe'DI' tImer
When in doubt, surprise them. TKW

Dumer DIvI' QaS 'ej DuHIv, vaj bIwunchoH 'ej bIrIQchoH
Surprise attack by Federation leaves you unprotected and damaged. MKE

Hoch qImmoH mu'meyDaj
   ghob 'agh 'ej val
   yIntaH 'e' luleghmo' chaH mer
All were bemused by his words,
    Wise and full of spirit,
    And astonished to see him alive.  PB

Voragh

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From: tlhIngan-Hol <tlhingan-hol-bounces at lists.kli.org> On Behalf Of SuStel

> On 10/29/2019 3:05 PM, mayqel qunen'oS wrote:

We have the verb {mer} for "surprise". In english, does the verb "surprise", has an inherent positive or negative meaning ?

Are both of the following acceptable ?

{muQuchmoH be'nalwI', mumerpu'}
my wife surprised me, in order to make me happy

{romuluSnganpu' peqmeH tlhInganpu', merpu'}
the klingons surprised the romulans in order to slaughter them

English surprise is neither inherently positive nor inherently negative. Without any evidence, I would not assume that Klingon mer is either.

--

SuStel

http://trimboli.name
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