Aspected Verbs: The -pu' Verb Suffix

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As I said in the previous lesson, tlhIngan Hol does not use verb tenses for past, present or future tense. Context is made clear in the sentence.

The examples from the previous lesson again:-

wa'Hu' targh tIq vISop means Yesterday, I ate heart of targ;

DaHjaj targh tIq vISop could read Today, I ate heart of targ/
Today, I am eating heart of targ/
Today, I'll be eating heart of targ;

wa'leS targh tIq vISop could read Tomorrow, I will eat heart of targ.

The Verb Suffix -pu'

This suffix is called the perfective aspect; it indicates that the action has been completed in the past. The closest English equivalent is the English present perfect tense (have done something).

Some of the examples from the previous lesson, now with the -pu' suffix instead of -ta' so you can compare the subtle difference.

DIHoHpu'be'	We have not killed them/ (our best shot failed)
DaSuqpu''a'	Have you got it?/ (Or did someone else get it?)
boSujpu'mo'	Because we disturbed them/ (unintentionally)
paq DaHaDpu''a'	Have you finished studying the book?/ (because you are snoring really loudly)
nuHmey boqempu'mo'	Because you brought weapons/ (and we wanted you to bring the BEER)
nuHmey boqembe'pu'mo'	Because you did not bring the weapons/ (you were told to, but failed to do to)
nuHmey boqempu'be'mo'	Because you have not yet brought the weapons/ (you forgot them and will have to go back)

The differences may seem slight, but the examples above should show you that there is a world of difference between -pu' and -ta'; and that -pu' is the suffix of an almost casual completion of the action.

The Verb Suffix -pu' and The Noun Suffix -pu'

-pu' is both a verb suffix and a noun suffix. This might seem confusing, but remember how English uses the same suffix -es in prizes and downsizes. Both look the same, but they both have different meanings.

-pu' in a noun can only appear after a noun of a being capable of using language: man, woman, fighter, Klingon. The context of the word, its position in the sentence, should make it clear which -pu' you are looking at.

Next lesson: the -taH verb suffix, and continuous actions.

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