[3594] in tlhIngan-Hol
KBLC: Guidelines
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU)
Fri Mar 4 22:40:17 1994
Errors-To: tlhIngan-Hol-request@klingon.East.Sun.COM
Errors-To: tlhIngan-Hol-request@klingon.East.Sun.COM
Errors-To: tlhIngan-Hol-request@klingon.East.Sun.COM
Reply-To: "Klingon Language List" <tlhIngan-Hol@klingon.East.Sun.COM>
Errors-To: tlhIngan-Hol-request@klingon.East.Sun.COM
From: "trI'Qal" <DOBELBOWER@opus.mco.edu>
To: "Klingon Language List" <tlhIngan-Hol@klingon.East.Sun.COM>
Date: Fri, 04 Mar 1994 22:22:06 -0400 (EDT)
X-Vms-To: IN"tlhIngan-Hol@klingon.east.sun.com"
Well, I know that I am only going to be the Begginer's Grammarian for
a month or so, but, if I am going to do, this, I am going to do it RIGHT.
What follows is a *guidleine* for posts under the KBLC headers. By using the
word "guidelines", I mean to emphasize three things: one, these are prone to
change at the need of the beginning students, as they make those needs clear
to me. Since the whole idea of the KBLC is to cater to the needs of these
students, the guidelines should reflect that. What follows is based on what
has been discussed in previous posts to the list, and in a few cases where
even the new students are debating the issue, decisions based on what seemed
to me to be the best arguements. There are also a few things which I have
included which seem to either be conventions already, or are in the process of
becoming so. Two, I really have no authority to enforce any of this, other
than your good-will towards this project. I hope you will all comply for the
sake of our newest learners. And three, since I am only a Temporary
Beginner's Grammarian, I suspect these guides will change when my predecessor
takes the 'soapbox'.
Again, I want to emhasize that I made these based on what I am
perceiving the needs of the new students to be... and if my view of these
needs are wrong, *PLEASE* tell me! I can't fix it if I don't know it's broke.
{{:). Send your suggestions/comments/complaints on these guidelines to me at
either dobelbower@opus.iarc.mco.edu OR bdd@po.CWRU.Edu, whichever you remember
easier. 'nuff said on that. Now for the guidelines themselves....
For 'experienced' speakers (the beginners may wish to read these too):
Put only one sentence on a line. This makes it easier to see where
things start and stop (like finding the subject or the main verb). If your
sentecnce will not fit on one line, it is probably too complex for the KBLC,
and should either be re-worded, broken down, or have the extraneous details
removed. Note the word "probably" in there... it is possible you could devise
a sentence that was long, but not complex, but I still urge you to look for
another way to express what you are trying to say.
Use proper capitalization. I know Marnen is taking a vote on this,
but the only beginners I heard anything from asked that small 'i's NOT be
used... so unless I hear otherwise from them, *please* capitalize properly.
(sorry, Marnen)
Use punctuation if you use a complex subordinate clause. By
"complex", I mean one where the subject has to be stated seperate from the
verbal prefix. (Example: mejchugh jagh Duj, HoD yIja'. "If the enemy ship
leaves, tell the captain") This helps disambiguate which nouns go with which
phrases. If you do decide to use punctuation, use it as you would in English.
No sense in confusing people any more than they are. {{:)
Do NOT transliterate!!! (That is taking an English name/word/phrase
and converting it into the Klingon "equivalent", ie, <Dum> for the English
"Doom"). If you need to use an English word that doesn't appear in the
dictionary, don't try to make something up for it either. Describe the thing,
or re-word it, if you wish, but *somewhere* (where it is obvious what you are
referring to) use the English word in ""s. That way, if your description
confuses anyone, the appearance of the English word should make what you
intended clear.
Don't correct ANY posts under the KLBC, even if it is in Hol. Leave
that to the Grammarian on the Box. (Qanqor and ~mark are the only exceptions
to this, but I understand that they plan to stay out of the way of the
Grammarian of the Day (yes, I am having fun making up different names for the
title of "Begginer's Grammarian"... sorry if I am confusing people. :) ) as it
is.) If someone asks for an explaination of something you wrote, I think it
is best if the original poster explains *first*, rather than everyone wasting
bandwidth trying to "guess" what was meant... so if someone is confused by
something you posted, go ahead and explain it. Make sure you do any such
explainations in *English* though. {{:) If the Assigned Grammarian makes a
boo-boo (which in my case is completely possible, and perhaps very probable),
please let either Qanqor or ~mark correct them. Personally, I KNOW everyone
is going to be watching everything I say, to see if I am doing "the Right
Thing(tm)", and I know my Hol isn't *perfect*, so I don't want people nit-
picking me about stylistic points which may deterr from the purpose of the
KBLC. {{:)
Include the word BEGINNER somewhere at the beginning of the post, so
Qanqor and ~mark know what level they are working on. :)
At the end of the message, clearly seperated, include the English
translation of your posts. I know this is an on-going arguement right now,
but I think having the original intent of each message WITH each message,
rather than waiting for it, will stop all the "Huh? What did you mean/say?"
questions, and start the "Now why did he/she do THAT and not THAT?" questions.
If this doesn't seem to help, I will eliminate it, but for now, I think it
will be more of a help than anything.
Don't start talking about debatable grammar issues... like
transitivity of verbs, or what verbs can be used adjectively. On such issues
as these, I may make a mention that such grammar is "questionable", but I will
allow the students the greatest flexibility... let them learn the basics, then
they can join in the arguements of the fine points, okay? Make sure that if
you are going to debate these points, you take the KLBC *OUT* of the header.
I have seen it forgotten once or twice already. {{:(
Finally, HAVE FUN! Enjoy the conversations! TALK to these people...
because they obviously want to talk to you! Examples of correct grammar are
as critical to learning a language (IMHO) as trying to speak/write it
yourself! (Note corrections may be posted for 'experienced' writer's posts as
well.)
For the beginning students:
Most of the guidleines for you are the simple ones listed for the
experenced people: one sentence to each line, put BEGINNER at the beginning,
inclusion of translations, etc. However, please don't feel constrained by the
"one sentence, one line" guide! Test out your knowledge and skills, and try
things out! The best way to learn is to do... and since this whole thing is
for YOUR benefit, you aren't constrained as far as complexity of your posts.
The only other things I have to say are these: POST! As my old high school
band director used to say: pe'veIl SureHbe'chugh, vaj SalughmoHlaHbe'neS! "If
you don't play loud, then I can't correct you!" Or, if you don't post, I
cannot comment on your grammar. ASK! If you don't ask me questions, I cannot
answer them! And ENJOY! This is all so you can learn more easily... and I am
willing to help you however I may! (I used to be a beginner, too!) (Use me
and abuse me? {{;) )
Argh. This was entirely too long... but I think that covers
everything.... hope no-one minds the spam. {{:(
--HoD trI'Qal
tlhwD lIy So'
