2013-08-11

Clarity and Perfection: the Suffix -chu'

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-chu' clearly, perfectly

This Type 6 verb suffix is used to describe an action which is conducted perfectly, or demonstrates a quality in an exemplary manner.

jaghpu' tojchu'ta' tlhIngan ra'wI'The Klingon Commander fooled the enemies perfectly
tayqeqDaj ghobmey 'oSchu'He exemplifies his culture's virtues
Dochvetlh Data'chu'ta'You did that perfectly
jIyajchu'I clearly understand.
yajchu''a'Does she understand clearly?
DapoHchu'ta'You timed it perfectly

-chu' versus -qu'

The Type 6 suffix -chu' and the emphatic rover suffix -qu' seem to have a similar function. Similar, but not identical.

Whereas -chu' indicates that an action is being performed perfectly or flawlessly, -qu' has the effect of emphasising the property, quality or activity being conducted - whether it is exemplary or not.

An example could be something very bright (wovqu') as against something shining clearly (wovchu') - the former could be shining through smoke, visible but obscured; the latter could be shining clearly through any obscuring smoke.

Another way of thinking of the difference is that something does not need to be loud to be clear: chut maqqu' noHwI' The Judge proclaims the law could mean that he is delivering his words with emphasis, perhaps beating a sparking steel ball on a stone, but chut maqchu' noHwI' The Judge proclaims the law could indicate that the Judge is delivering a proclamation in such a way that the wording is clear, distinctive and absolutely unequivocal, even if the Judge is unable to speak more loudly than a hoarse whisper.

pIvchu'He is perfectly healthy
pIvqu'He is very healthy
Doqqu'It is very red
Doqchu'It is a perfect shade of red
qama' jonchu'She captured the prisoner flawlessly
paQDI'norgh vIyajchu'I understand the teachings clearly
yIjatlhchu'Speak clearly!
jatlhchu' 'ach 'Ijchu'be'She is good at talking ... not so good at listening
qaQoychu'I hear you perfectly
qaQochbe'chu'I agree with you totally

-chu' is also used to describe a combat action or challenge which, in this specific context, means to the death.

Qojchu'They fight a war without quarter
DaH DIHIvchu'nISWe must attack them now, and show no mercy
peSuvchuqchu'Fight (one another to the death!)
jagh QIDchu'ta' SuvwI'The warrior fatally wounded the enemy
DaqIpchu'You hit him hard (fatally)

Sometimes, the two suffixes can be combined to indicate a most decisive action, carried out not only flawlessly but emphatically flawlessly - an action conducted in an exemplary manner.

To indicate this, the suffixes must be used in the order -chu'qu', with -qu' always placed immediately behind -chu' to emphasise the perfection of the action or quality.

jaj qeylIS molor mIgh Hohchu'qu'The day Kahless slew the evil Molor
jajvetlh batlh maHeghchu'qu'On that day, we shall perish honourably
SuSuvchu'qu'ta'You fought in an exemplary manner
Qubchu'qu' tejThe scientist thought flawlessly

Next: -law' uncertainty.

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