Kzinti Verb Moods
The Kzinti Heroes Tongue contains several Verb Moods: Factual (technical), inferior-superior, submissive (deferential), superior-inferior (imperative/mocking), royal (ultimate imperative), and transitive/intransitive.
Factual (Technical) Verbs
In Kzints'utng there are transitive, intransitive, mocking, polite, and factual verbs. The Factual (Technical) mode of communication uses only Factual verbs and nouns (when no factual verb or noun is present in the Kzints'utng language transitive or intransitive verbs/nouns are used instead). In the Dictionary entries the Factual verbs and nouns may be designated as: Factual Verb, vf, Factual Noun, nf. Occasionally Factual adjectives (adjf.) adverbs (advf.) or pronouns (pronf.) may exist for use in place of normal adjectives, adverbs, or pronouns.
Factual (Technical) mood in the Heroes' Tongue
Factual (Technical) mood (or mode) is formed by using Factual (Technical) verbs and nouns. Most of these verbs and nouns are much more precise than other verbs and nouns used in Kzints'utng. Word order is that of Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) like that of American or British English. Articles, prepositions, correlations, conjunctions, and the like are all used to form sentences.
Royal (Ultimate Imperative) Verbs
In the Royal(Ultimate Imperative) mode, most verbs are identical to those used in the Superior-Inferior (Imperative) mood, as are the nouns, though there are several exceptions. The difference in the Royal (Ultimate Imperative) mode of communication is in the use of pronouns and word order. Certain pronouns are marked Royal Pronouns (pronr.) and are only used in the Royal mode of communication. Word order in the Royal (Ultimate Imperative) mode is that of modern Dutch.
Royal mood
The Royal (Ultimate Imperative) mood or mode is determined by the use of pronouns relating to the Patriarch and/or his government. All such pronouns are emphasized in speech (each syllable is given heightened emphasis over the other words contained in the same sentence). In the English transliteration, these pronouns are capitalized (like the pronouns used for Jesus and God in the Holy Bible). This is to show respect for the Patriarch and his government, not to declare him a deity (a god). Word order is that of modern human Dutch language. The Kzints'utng symbols used for words in the Royal mode are those presented in the Royal Kzints'utng SFB Font. In all other respects the Royal mode is identical to the Superior-Inferior (Imperative) mode of communication.
Superior-Inferior (Imperative/Mocking) Verbs
Superior-Inferior (Imperative/Mocking) mode uses transitive and intransitive verbs, and NEVER uses the polite mood of verbs. Several verbs and nouns exist in the Superior-Inferior (Imperative/Mocking) mode which are used in no other mode of Kzints'utng. These are noted in the Dictionaries as: Superior-Inferior Transitive Verb (s-ivt.), Mocking Transitive Verb (mvt.), Superior-Inferior Intransitive Verb (s-ivi.), Mocking Intransitive Verb (mvi.), Superior-Inferior Noun (s-in.), Mocking Noun (mn.).
Superior-Inferior (Imperative/Mocking) mood
Superior-Inferior (Imperative/Mocking) mode is the only mode of communication used in Kzints'utng to berate, mock, humiliate, verbally abuse, slander, libel, curse, or insult another person, Kzinti or non-Kzinti. Superior-Inferior (Imperative/Mocking) mode (or mood) is formed using transitive and intransitive verbs or special Superior-Inferior or Imperative versions of these verbs and certain nouns. The word order is Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) and sentences are similar to those found in Japanese. No definitive articles are used, postpositions are common-place, and verbs are generally located at the end of sentences.
Inferior-Superior Verbs
Inferior-Superior mode of Kzints'utng usually uses the polite form of transitive or intransitive verbs, though not always. Inferior-Superior mood NEVER uses the Mocking tense of verbs or nouns. Inferior-Superior mode is considered the polite informal tense of Kzints'utng, whereas the Submissive (Deferential) mode is considered the polite formal tense. One would not use the Inferior-Superior mode in direct conversation with the Patriarch unless the individual speaking was a high-ranking noble, such as the Marquis, Duke, Baron, or Count. Other individual would use the Submissive (Deferential) mode, though high-ranking nobles may occasionally use the Royal mode for conversation.
Inferior to Superior mood
Inferior-Superior mood (or mode) is formed in the same way as Superior-Inferior (Mocking) mode, with the same word order, postpositions, verb placement, and lack of definitive articles. The only difference is that Inferior-Superior mode usually uses the polite tense of verbs, and NEVER uses the Mocking tense of verbs or nouns. A slip of the tail between the hocks indicates one's inferior status. When speaking with a ship's captain or someone of equal superiority, it is proper to use the term "yohj" (master, lord). It is also proper to come to attention and salute a superior with claws slashing in front of one's nose.
Submisssive (Deferential) Verbs
Submissive (Deferential) mode of Kzints'utng ALWAYS uses the polite form of transitive or intransitive verbs, and NEVER uses the Mocking tense of verbs or nouns.
Submissive (Deferential) mood
The Submissive, or Deferential, mode is formed in the same way as the Superior-Inferior (Mocking) mode, and Inferior-Superior mode, with the same word order, postpositions, verb placement, and lack of definitive articles. The Submissive (Deferential) mood is much more formal than the Inferior-Superior mode of communication, for it ALWAYS employs the polite form of transitive and intranitive verbs and any other words (nouns, pronouns, etc.) which are rendered in the polite form. In all other respects it is identical to the Inferior-Superior mode of communication. It is proper to lower one's head and knees, and place one's tail between one's legs when coming into the presence of a much higher superior as this is a humiliating position of respect.
Intransitive Verbs
Intransitive Verbs have no direct object. In other words, the object within the sentence does not receive the action of the intransitive verb.
Transitive Verbs
Transitive Verbs have a direct object within the sentence which receives the action of the transitive verb.
Intransitive and Transitive Verb mood in the Heroes' Tongue
The Transitive and Intransitive mood within Kzints'utng is the "normal," or standard, mode of communication used by most Kzintosh in everyday speech. In English transliteration it mostly resembles modern human English. The difference between Transitive/Intransitive modes and the Superior-Inferior (Mocking), Inferior-Superior, Submissive (Deferential) modes is found in word order. Intransitive and Transitive sentences usually are formed with Subject-Verb-Object rather than Subject-Object-Verb, though Subject-Object-Verb may sometimes be employed in Transitive and Intransitive speech, depending upon the dialect employed by the individual Kzintosh.
Word Order Summation
Royal (Ultimate Imperative) mode uses modern Dutch word order.
Superior-Inferior (Imperative/Mocking) mode uses modern Japanese word order.
Inferior-Superior mode uses modern Japanese word order.
Submissive (Deferential) mode uses modern Japanese word order.
Factual (Technical) mode uses modern English word order.
Transitive/Intransitive mode uses modern English word order.
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