[343] in tlhIngan-Hol
multiple negatives
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU)
Wed May 20 01:24:12 1992
Errors-To: tlhIngan-Hol-request@village.boston.ma.us
Reply-To: "Klingon Language List" <tlhIngan-Hol@village.boston.ma.us>
From: mosquito@Athena.MIT.EDU
To: "Klingon Language List" <tlhIngan-Hol@village.boston.ma.us>
Date: Wed, 20 May 92 01:06:23 -0400
Yes, in Japanese, a response to "Haven't you eaten today?" could be
"No, I have eaten." However, a "yes" or "no" is not common; more
common is "Soo (that's true)" and "chigau (different)". Often, the full
statement will be repeated (I have eated/I haven't eaten). Even though
it's well known in Japan that "Hai" and "iie" refer to agreement with
the statement associated with the question, and denial of the
statement, there's some hesitancy to use them, especially when the
question is negative. It's similar to the hesitancy many English speakers
feel in understanding "Do you mind if I sit here?" "No. Absolutely not."
Incidentally, when a German hears "Haven't you eaten today?", he may answer
"Nein" (no) if he hasn't, and "Doch" if he has. "Ja" (yes) is not possible
as an answer.
Which brings us to the question: What if a Klingon says, "bISopta'be''a'?"
What does "HIja'" and "ghobe'" mean? Of course, one could take the Japanese
solution and say "jISopta'" or "jISopta'be'" and avoid the issue. But I think
this is another one for the Okrand queue.
\ /
--OO--
!!
