[tlhIngan Hol] meaning of an {x-mo' verb-be'} sentence

Alan Anderson qunchuy at alcaco.net
Sat Jan 11 06:11:29 PST 2020


On Jan 11, 2020, at 8:28 AM, SuStel <sustel at trimboli.name> wrote:
> 
> Unless you've got some kind of direct evidence as to what a Klingon would do, it is not a valid criticism of the things someone wants to say.

I think you’re referring to his suggestion that context strong enough to override an otherwise obvious meaning of a phrase is strong enough to make the phrase itself unnecessary. I offer this “direct evidence” in support of the proposition:

DS9 “Way of the Warrior” shows Martok presenting a Daqtagh to Sisko, saying the single word {SoHvaD}. He did not think it necessary to say anything further about how the former owner of the knife had been executed for failing to follow orders. That was obvious, at least to someone familiar with the cultural context of the situation.

Basically, if a thing need not be said in order for it to be understood, it is appropriate not to say it.

— ghunchu'wI'


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