On Thu, 4 Mar 2021 at 22:48, SuStel <sustel@trimboli.name> wrote:
On 3/4/2021 4:35 PM, Will Martin wrote:
To be honest, I think the more interesting question is whether {pagh} is singular or plural.
It's singular.
*pa'vo' pagh leghlu'** The room has no view.* (CK) If *pagh* were plural, the verb would be *luleghlu'.*
*SaqSubDaq pagh Qoylu'** In the Saq'sub all is quiet* (paq'batlh) Not *luQoylu'.*
*SanDaj SaH pagh** [And] no one cared about its fate.* (paq'batlh) *SanDaj* is definitely singular here (the earth's [ground's] fate), and it isn't *luSaH.*
*qeylIS lIjlaHbogh pagh** Kahless the unforgettable* (paq'batlh) Not *lulIjlaHbogh.*
These examples are of the noun {pagh} meaning "nothing, none" and not of the number {pagh} meaning "zero", which is what he's asking about. I think you're right that they're the same word and have the same grammar with regards to its plurality. But it's also possible that it works differently as a number when used for counting. The only instance I can think of where the number {pagh} precedes a noun to count it is {Dal pagh jagh}, but the prefix doesn't tell us whether {pagh jagh} is singular or plural. -- De'vID