Tslam + dative

[Kemaweyan]

As we know, tslam is transitive and its object could be what I understand:

 Oel tslam tsat.

But what about people? If we say oel tslam ngati, would it mean that nga is the thing that I understand? But actually the meaning is «I understand what you mean». Today tsm. Kamean wrote me Oe tslolam ngaru and it seems to me interesting. The meanings of oel tslam tsat and oel tslam ngati differ, so we should have two different ways to express it, IMO. But I never saw examples with tslam and dative. Could be this correct?

[wm.annis]

Could be this correct?

I would expect the genitive more, given the line of argument you've given, but the dative is also a possibility.

If I had to guess, I'd say K. Pawl wouldn't go for it, but it wouldn't hurt to ask him.  Na'vi is fairly sensitive to distinguishing things that apply to people and things that don't, and this touches on that somewhat.

[Plumps]

I can't help it, it seems strange to me

I take the metaphorical meaning of 'I understand (what you mean)' to be conveyed by Tslolam. Every example I could find concerning understanding people uses the patientive (e.g. here). Otherwise we would have to specify, as in this blog post:

Ralit faylì'uä (ngeyä) oel ke tslivam.

K. Pawl also used the topic in this comment: Ngari tslolam nìltsan.

[Tanri]

Oel tslam säfpìlit ngeyä slä ke mllte. - I understand the idea of yours, but disagree.
Tslolam ngati, ke zene vivar oeyktivìng. - I had understood you, don't have to continue explaining.
... seems correct

but *"Oe tslam ngaru" is weird. Dative is the recipient of the action, and in this example it doesn't make any sense.

[`Eylan Ayfalulukanä]

If you consider that understanding isn't an action that had a 'direction', it makes it unlikely that you are come up with many valid constructions that use or require an object-ru. OTOH, a verb that applies a direction or a movement can easily have a 'recipient', such as Tsa'ut oel tìng ngaru.

I expect this concept is valid for a lot of other vocabulary as well.

[Kemaweyan]

K. Pawl also used the topic in this comment: Ngari tslolam nìltsan.

I think it's an answer Irayo.

[Vawmataw]

K. Pawl also used the topic in this comment: Ngari tslolam nìltsan.

I think it's an answer Irayo.

Does Ngari ralit oel tslolam also makes sense?

[Kemaweyan]

I think it's the same