Re: Cute little sentence

>     Tonot* preget*drys oriu tonot* !rol ykk
>     where (t* == pi-shape) and (! == lambda-shape)
>
>means,
>     Constructing languages always causes happiness.
K'grekar necanain sipatam ðalyar.
/k'grekar nE'S{najn 'sipatam 'dj{ljar/

Analysis:

K'     grek  ar  | necan ain   | sip  at  am  | ðaly(a) ar
ErgInf build Erg | lingo AbsPl | time Loc all | happy   3pPrInd

"Building of-languages at all times makes-happy."

Step by step:

K' = ergative infinitive prefix. Converts the verb into an infinitive and
implies an ergative subject ("to build something", rather than "to be a
thing built" or "to get built", for example). It acts on the absolutive in
the phrase - "necanain".

grek = build, construct.

ar = ergative. Infinitive verbs are treated as nouns. This ergative acts
via the verb of the sentence - "ðalya" - on a nonexistent/implied
absolutive.


necan = language (specific lingo).
ain = absolutive plural.

sip = time, moment
at = locative. Locative is used for positions in time as well as space.
am = a clitic denoting "all".

ðalya = happy. Like all Lyanjen adjectives, it is really a verb. If it were
used with a nominative, it would mean "to be happy", but since it is used
with an ergative in this sentence, it means "to make something happy".

ar = third person singular present indefinite. The indefinite mood (?)
indicates something that is generally true, as opposed to something
happening right this minute.