Am 21.05.2026 um 17:56 schrieb SuStel via tlhIngan-Hol:
I don't see why we don't call these "inherently singular nouns."
Because that is a term that was not used in TKD. Section 3.3.2 says: "Finally, some nouns in Klingon are inherently or always plural in meaning, [...]" and then: "The singular counterparts of such words are utterly distinct:" and "The singular forms may take the {-mey} suffix, [...]" Going further (I might be wrong, I am not a linguist), the word "inherently plural" roughly means that a noun includes a plural meaning (in Klingon, not in English). Reversing this definition would mean that a "inherently singular noun" is ONLY singular. But TKD clearly says that those singular forms can take plural suffixes, and also "The plural suffixes are not necessary when a number is used." So, short: an inherent plural noun is ALWAYS plural. Its singular form CAN be singular but also plural. That's why it's not an "inherently singular noun".
-----Original Message----- From: tlhIngan-Hol <tlhingan-hol-bounces@lists.kli.org> On Behalf Of Steven Boozer via tlhIngan-Hol Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2026 11:46 AM To: tlhingan-hol@kli.org Cc: Steven Boozer <sboozer@uchicago.edu> Subject: Re: [tlhIngan Hol] Klingon Word of the Day: toyDal (noun)
Klingon word: toyDal Part of speech: noun Definition: tactic Source: qep'a' 28 [2021] _______________________________________________
This is the singular form of an inherently plural noun. _______________________________________________ tlhIngan-Hol mailing list tlhIngan-Hol@lists.kli.org http://lists.kli.org/listinfo.cgi/tlhingan-hol-kli.org
-- Lieven L. Litaer aka the "Klingon Teacher from Germany" https://tlhInganHol.com https://klingon.wiki/En/InherentPlural