[tlhIngan Hol] does -jaj have the "may your request be granted" meaning ?

Lieven L. Litaer levinius at gmx.de
Wed Sep 30 11:33:31 PDT 2020


Am 30.09.2020 um 20:17 schrieb Will Martin:
> Everyone has been using the word “wish” to describe the verb suffix
> {-jaj}. My understanding has been that it’s more like a blessing than a
> wish.

I agree with what you say. The word "wish" is used because that's how
TKD describes it:

<<This suffix is used to express a desire or wish on the part of the
speaker that something take place in the future. [...] {-jaj} is often
translated with "may" or "let," and it is particularly useful when
placing a curse or making a toast.>> (TKD, addendum 176)

So, yes: you don't use that to express a wish for a Christmas present,
or a wish for a sandwich.

The suggested usage of the translation with "may" reminds me of a quote
spoken by Q in TNG: "May whatever god you believe in have mercy on your
soul..." – Q does not literally "wish" that it happens, he says it more
like a blessing.

(Now I want to check how the translation of "Let it snow" was made :-) )


--
Lieven L. Litaer
aka the "Klingon Teacher from Germany"
http://www.tlhInganHol.com
http://klingon.wiki/En/Type9VerbSuffixes



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