Re: Semantic content of 'thank you'

Yahya Abdal-Aziz wrote:
> Natlangs:
> Malay uses "terima kasih" - "receive love
> (affection)".  Iban and Kadazan both use forms
> that appear to be derived from this widespread
> usage.  Interestingly, for another aspect of polite-
> ness, where English says "Please (give me ...)",
> or "May (I have ...)", both Malay and Kadazan use
> words meaning "Can (I have ...)", while Iban instead
> uses words meaning "Try (I have ...)".
Curious... Indonesian uses both "coba" = try, and "tolong" = help; there is
a distinction of course, but I'm sure I often mixed them up.

Kash: the base word is _kuvus_ 'thankful/grateful', and in descending order
of formality:
te makuvus "I thank/am grateful to/ you"
makuvus
kuvusmi 'my thanking'
kuvus (very brusque)
The proper reply is "ta yale ~tale" 'there is not'

There is also (abbreviated) 'tekup' 'a small tip for services rendered'

The Gwr are a little more direct (e.g. they answer the telephone with "what
do you want?")  so "thanks" would probably be something like 'that's
good/nice of you' to which one would reply 'sure ~of course'