I like this idea because it makes the speaker be a little more expressive and less ambiguous. 'I can't see you', then, could be translated:cybrxkhan wrote:While playing around with Merthic, I came up with an idea for negation in Merthic. Basically, there is none.
'You're not here'
'I'm looking for you'
'You're invisible'
'I'm blind'
'I'm closing my eyes'
'Something between you and me is blocking my field of vision'
'I'm at the wrong airport!'
Recently I've been toying with the idea of having several 'versions' of the essence of a subject of a sentence, according to what type of involvement they have in the verb. One indicates the subject's choice, free will and personal involvement in the verb, one indicates his/her mental, emotional or spiritual involvement, one indicates his/her authoritative involvement, one indicates that they did a automatic, involuntary action, and one indicates that only their presence is involved. Examples:
Direct involvement: The cop stopped the gang in their tracks (he arrested/dispersed them), My dad build this house (he was a builder), I've been looking for you (with my own eyes), Everyone watched in horror.
Mental involvement: My dad believes in ghosts, The man who knew too much, I wish you'd shut up, You promised me the world (until its fulfilled, a promise is just an idea)
Authoritative involvement: My dad built this house (he was in charge of its construction), I've been looking for you (I sent out a search party), I hereby sentence you to death, The king commanded that all prisoners be released.
Involuntary involvement: The baby cried all night, I nearly tripped over, People keep bumping into each other, I love you.
Presence only: The cop stopped the gang in their tracks (the gang stopped when they saw the cop), The boss kept everyone in the office respectful (everyone in the office was respectful on account of the boss being there), The new baby took up all their time. It could also be used for inanimate objects which, by their very presence have an effect on a situation; The wind blew the house down, The scorching heat drew everyone to the beach, The music helps me think. It could also be used for statements such as There's a cat on the table, There's a hole in my pocket, etc.
Any thoughts?