[tlhIngan Hol] {moch} in noun-noun constructions

[nIqolay Q]

On Wed, Mar 18, 2020 at 10:56 AM SuStel <sustel at trimboli.name> wrote:

> On 3/18/2020 10:42 AM, mayqel qunen'oS wrote:
>
> We have the noun {moch} which means "(the) superior".
>
> I wonder, whether we could use it in noun-noun constructions as {moch
> Qelpu'}/{moch maqleghpu'}, to say things like "the superior doctors"/"the
> superior priests", i.e. the doctors/priests who are of higher rank.
>
> The problem is, that reading {moch Qelpu'}, I understand {the doctors of
> the superior}, whatever the @!#! this means..
>
> Don't confuse the translation *Y of the X* with a more genitive meaning
> where Y is narrowed to the sense of X.
>
> *moch Qel. *It's a doctor. What sort of doctor? A higher-rank doctor.
>
> I wouldn't expect *moch* to participate much in noun-noun constructions
> like this. It would typically stand alone or be the head noun. *ja'chuq
> Qel mochDaj je** The doctor and his/her superior confer.* *lagh ra' Sogh
> mochDaj** The ensign is ordered by his lieutenant superior.*
>
I'd probably interpret *moch Qel* as a possessive phrase: "the superior's
(or superiors') doctor".

*mayqel*: If you're trying to express the notion of "superior", there's the
verb *nIv* "be superior". *Qelpu' nIv* "superior doctors", *maqleghpu'
nIv *"superior
priests"
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