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For a project I am involved in I wanted to clarify the differences and similarities of {boQ} and {QaH}, so I asked Dr. Okrand for clarification. What follows is the complete and unedited response that he gave:<br>
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Regarding {QaH} and {boQ} – There’s a good deal of overlap, and either one can be used in many (maybe most) situations. The main difference is really one of connotation. In general, {QaH} would be used in situations where the person needing help can’t do whatever
needs to be done without assistance of some kind, while {boQ} would be used in situations where the person might be able to do the task alone, but it’s easier or better or more efficient if someone helps out. <br>
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The object of {boQ} (the recipient of the aid) retains responsibility for the activity being aided. The person {boQ}-ing is secondary (though not necessarily unimportant!).<br>
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The object of {QaH} can’t do whatever it is alone, so responsibility falls to the person {QaH}-ing (or responsibility is shared).<br>
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Someone who falls into a river and is unable to swim would not shout out {HIboQ!}.<br>
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Someone who can’t reach the top shelf would probably ask another person for {boQ} to get something down from the shelf (even though the task could be done alone if the person used a stepladder or stool or something). If the person tried it alone and boxes toppled
down from the top shelf onto the person, immobilizing him/her, you’d probably hear the buried person ask for {QaH}.<br>
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It would be odd to use {QaHwI’} to refer to an administrative aide; that’s a {boQ}.<br>
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A parent probably wouldn’t {QaH} a child with a homework assignment.<br>
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There is nothing weak about asking for {QaH} (when help is warranted), but an offer to {QaH} in a situation where you’d expect to hear an offer to {boQ} may sometimes be mildly insulting, implying that the offerer questions the offeree’s ability to do something.<br>
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Having said all of that… The distinction is not always clear nor does it always matter, which is why the words are mostly interchangeable. <br>
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"Assist” would probably be translated as {boQ} most of the time. Other than in a few contexts, both “help” and “aid” could be translated as either {boQ} or {QaH}.<br>
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(David’s {boQwI’} app is aptly named.)<br>
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