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{{at|xx}}
  
{{at|xx}}
−
[[File:Klingon written language.jpg|thumb|An example of Klingon script reading (in [[English language|English]]): "deck 2, red sector"]]
 +
[[File:Klingon written language.jpg|thumb|An example of Klingon script reading (in [[English language|English]]): "Deck 2, red sector"]]
 
[[File:Klingon script.gif|thumb|The Klingon written language]]
  
[[File:Klingon script.gif|thumb|The Klingon written language]]
 
[[File:Paq batlh.jpg|thumb|The ''[[paq'batlh]]'', an ancient Klingon scroll written in Klingonese]]
  
[[File:Paq batlh.jpg|thumb|The ''[[paq'batlh]]'', an ancient Klingon scroll written in Klingonese]]
−
[[File:Klingon_Characters.jpg|thumb|Klingon characters (Klingonese) on a terminal]]
 +
[[File:Klingon Characters.jpg|thumb|Klingon characters (Klingonese) on a terminal]]
−
[[File:Klingon_Characters2.jpg|thumb|Klingon characters (Klingonese) on a terminal]]
 +
[[File:Klingon Characters2.jpg|thumb|Klingon characters (Klingonese) on a terminal]]
 
'''Klingonese''' (also known more commonly as "'''Klingon'''") was the [[language]] used throughout the [[Klingon Empire]]. It was boasted that half the [[quadrant]] was learning the language by the mid-[[23rd century]]. ({{TOS|The Trouble with Tribbles}})
  
'''Klingonese''' (also known more commonly as "'''Klingon'''") was the [[language]] used throughout the [[Klingon Empire]]. It was boasted that half the [[quadrant]] was learning the language by the mid-[[23rd century]]. ({{TOS|The Trouble with Tribbles}})
   
−
The Klingon language contained eighty poly-guttural dialects constructed on an adaptive syntax. The first [[Human]] to become fluent in it was [[Hoshi Sato]], who learned from a [[linguistic database]] provided by the [[Vulcan]]s. ({{ENT|Broken Bow}}) Sato once remarked that a book given to her by [[Tarquin]], written by a civilization over a thousand years dead, was in a language very similar to medieval Klingon. ({{ENT|Exile}})
+
The Klingon language contained eighty poly-guttural dialects constructed on an adaptive syntax. The first [[Human]] to become fluent in it was [[Hoshi Sato]], who learned from a [[linguistic database]] provided by the [[Vulcan]]s. ({{ENT|Broken Bow}}) Sato once remarked that a book given to her by [[Tarquin]], written by a civilization over a thousand years dead, was in a language very similar to Medieval Klingon. ({{ENT|Exile}})
   
 
The Klingon language was not an immutable language. It was constantly changing to meet the needs and aspirations of the people. In the mid-[[24th century]], the word ''peacemaker'' appeared for the first time in Klingonese after the negotiations mediated by [[Riva]] between the Klingon Empire and the [[United Federation of Planets]] took place. ({{TNG|Loud As A Whisper}}) However, as of the late 24th century, there still did not seem to be a Klingon word for ''jolly''. ({{TNG|Parallels}})
  
The Klingon language was not an immutable language. It was constantly changing to meet the needs and aspirations of the people. In the mid-[[24th century]], the word ''peacemaker'' appeared for the first time in Klingonese after the negotiations mediated by [[Riva]] between the Klingon Empire and the [[United Federation of Planets]] took place. ({{TNG|Loud As A Whisper}}) However, as of the late 24th century, there still did not seem to be a Klingon word for ''jolly''. ({{TNG|Parallels}})
   
−
By the late-23rd century, several [[Federation]] authors wrote books on learning the [[Klingon]] language. [[Nyota Uhura|Uhura]] had several on hand aboard the ''Enterprise'' in [[2293]], when she had to convince a Klingon patrol post that they were the Klingon freighter ''[[Ursva]]'', including ''[[Introduction to Klingon Grammar]]''. ({{film|6}})
 +
By the late-23rd century, several [[Federation]] authors wrote books on learning the [[Klingon]] language. [[Nyota Uhura|Uhura]] had several on hand aboard the ''Enterprise''-A in [[2293]], when she had to convince a Klingon patrol post that they were the Klingon freighter ''[[Ursva]]'', including ''[[Introduction to Klingon Grammar]]''. ({{film|6}})
 
{{bginfo|Several of these books were seen in greater detail in the ''[[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition)]]'' DVD special features.|[[Nichelle Nichols]] complained that with the Klingons as the Federation's primary enemy, a good communications officer would be able to speak at least basic Klingon. Director [[Nicholas Meyer]] preferred to keep the scene as it was, for "the laugh."}}
  
{{bginfo|Several of these books were seen in greater detail in the ''[[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition)]]'' DVD special features.|[[Nichelle Nichols]] complained that with the Klingons as the Federation's primary enemy, a good communications officer would be able to speak at least basic Klingon. Director [[Nicholas Meyer]] preferred to keep the scene as it was, for "the laugh."}}
 
''In the [[alternate reality]], {{alt|Nyota Uhura|Uhura}} described her mastery of Klingon as "rusty", but she appeared fluent enough to negotiate with members of the Klingon Defense Force.'' ({{film|12}})
  
''In the [[alternate reality]], {{alt|Nyota Uhura|Uhura}} described her mastery of Klingon as "rusty", but she appeared fluent enough to negotiate with members of the Klingon Defense Force.'' ({{film|12}})
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In [[2374]], [[Alexander Rozhenko]] admitted to [[Miles O'Brien]] that he could barely even say his name in Klingon. ({{DS9|You Are Cordially Invited}})
  
In [[2374]], [[Alexander Rozhenko]] admitted to [[Miles O'Brien]] that he could barely even say his name in Klingon. ({{DS9|You Are Cordially Invited}})
  +
  +
In the [[Risan language]], the Klingon language was still called "Klingon". ({{ENT|Two Days and Two Nights}})
   
 
== Klingon vocabulary ==
  
== Klingon vocabulary ==
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| ''d'blok''
  
| ''d'blok''
 
| an insult (it is unclear what exactly ''d'blok'' means.)
  
| an insult (it is unclear what exactly ''d'blok'' means.)
−
| In [[2372]] [[Chancellor]] [[Gowron]] compared [[Worf]] to a [[mute]] ''d'blok'', when Worf didn't answer Gowron's offer to come with him to [[Cardassia Prime]], immediately.
 +
| In [[2372]], [[Chancellor]] [[Gowron]] compared [[Worf]] to a {{dis|mute|disorder}} ''d'blok'', when Worf didn't answer Gowron's offer to come with him to [[Cardassia Prime]], immediately.
 
| {{DS9|The Way of the Warrior}}
  
| {{DS9|The Way of the Warrior}}
  ⚫
|-
  +
| ''Dhak'tah''
  +
| wall/barrier/hull
  ⚫
|
  +
| {{ENT|Sleeping Dogs}}
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[d'k tahg]]''
  
| ''[[d'k tahg]]''
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|
  
|
 
| {{TNG|Devil's Due}}
  
| {{TNG|Devil's Due}}
  +
|-
  +
| ''Forshak''
  +
| a substance which smells bad when it [[decomposition|rots]]
  +
| In [[2373]], [[Worf]] insulted [[Thopok]] by suggesting he smelled like a pile of rotting forshak.
  +
| ({{DS9|Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places}})
  +
|-
  +
| ''ghoptu''
  +
| hand
  +
|
  ⚫
| {{DS9|Blood Oath}}
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[gik'tal]]''
  
| ''[[gik'tal]]''
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|
  
|
 
| {{DS9|Past Prologue}}
  
| {{DS9|Past Prologue}}
  +
|-
  +
| ''Ha'DIbaH!''
  +
| animal
  +
|
  +
| {{DS9|Blood Oath}}
  +
|-
  +
| ''HIjol''
  +
| energize (voice command to transporter activation)
  +
|
  +
| {{ENT|Marauders}}
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[hur'q]]''
  
| ''[[hur'q]]''
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|
  
|
 
| {{DS9|The Sword of Kahless}}
  
| {{DS9|The Sword of Kahless}}
  +
|-
  +
| ''jagh''
  +
| enemy
  +
|
  +
| {{ENT|Judgment}}
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[jak'tahla]]''
  
| ''[[jak'tahla]]''
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|
  
|
 
| {{TNG|Power Play}}
  
| {{TNG|Power Play}}
  +
|-
  +
| ''Jelik''
  ⚫
| a word, phrase, name, place, or event mentioned by [[Klaang]] to Hoshi Sato in [[2151]]; along with [[Sarin]], [[Rigel]], and [[Tholia]], Sato could not translate the word or understand its meaning
  +
|
  +
| ({{ENT|Broken Bow}})
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''jinaq''
  
| ''jinaq''
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| {{TNG|Birthright, Part II}}
  
| {{TNG|Birthright, Part II}}
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''Jelik''
 +
| ''J'khat bah''
  +
| fusion manifold
⚫
| a word, phrase, name, place, or event mentioned by [[Klaang]] to Hoshi Sato in [[2151]]; along with [[Sarin]], [[Rigel]], and [[Tholia]], Sato could not translate the word or understand its meaning
  
 
|
  
|
−
| ({{ENT|Broken Bow}})
 +
| {{ENT|Sleeping Dogs}}
  +
|-
  +
| ''kajunpak't''
  +
| courage
  +
|
  +
| {{DS9|Blood Oath}}
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[kellicam]]''
  
| ''[[kellicam]]''
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|
  
|
 
| {{film|3}}
  
| {{film|3}}
  +
|-
  +
| ''Kolat chack tabak''
  +
| Plasma Containment
  +
|
  +
| {{ENT|Sleeping Dogs}}
  +
|-
  +
| ''k'pekt''
  +
| an insult
  +
|
  +
| {{DS9|Blood Oath}}
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[Kortar]]''
  
| ''[[Kortar]]''
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| {{TNG|The Defector}}, ''et al.''
  
| {{TNG|The Defector}}, ''et al.''
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''<nowiki>Qapla'</nowiki>''
 +
| ''Pu'DaH dak cha''
  +
| Photon torpedoes
  +
|
  +
| {{ENT|Sleeping Dogs}}
  +
|-
  +
| ''Qapla{{'}}''
 
| success
  
| success
 
|
  
|
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|
  
|
 
| {{TNG|Sins of the Father}}
  
| {{TNG|Sins of the Father}}
  +
|-
  +
| ''Quee nagah''
  +
| Impulse drive
  +
|
  +
| {{ENT|Sleeping Dogs}}
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[Qui'Tu]]''
  
| ''[[Qui'Tu]]''
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| Warrior
  
| Warrior
 
|
  
|
−
| {{TNG|The Icarus Factor}}{{TNG|Redemption}}
 +
| {{TNG|The Icarus Factor|Redemption}}
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''taHqeq''
  
| ''taHqeq''
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|
  
|
 
| {{DS9|You Are Cordially Invited}}
  
| {{DS9|You Are Cordially Invited}}
⚫
|-
  
−
| ''[[tajtiq]]''
  
−
| a long Klingon knife, usually used in pairs
  
⚫
|
  
⚫
| {{DS9|Apocalypse Rising}}
  
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''yan''
  
| ''yan''
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;bortaS bIr jablu'DI' reH QaQqu' nay': ''Revenge is a dish best served cold'' or literally ''When revenge is served cold, the dish is very good'' ({{film|2}})
  
;bortaS bIr jablu'DI' reH QaQqu' nay': ''Revenge is a dish best served cold'' or literally ''When revenge is served cold, the dish is very good'' ({{film|2}})
   
−
{{bginfo|Spoken by [[Khan Noonien Singh]].}}
 +
{{bginfo|Mentioned by [[Khan Noonien Singh]], but not in Klingon. The Klingon translation first appeared in [[Marc Okrand|Okrand]]'s second book, ''[[The Klingon Way]]'' (p. 133)}}
 
----
  
----
 
;bangwI' : "My beloved"
 
;bangwI' : "My beloved"
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----
  
----
 
;taH pagh taHbe': ''to be or not to be'' ({{film|6}})
  
;taH pagh taHbe': ''to be or not to be'' ({{film|6}})
  +
  +
{{bginfo|Spoken by General {{dis|Chang|General}} during diplomatic dinner on board the ''Enterprise''. As explained in the foreword of ''[[The Klingon Hamlet]]'', the phrase uttered by chancellor [[Gorkon]], "''You have not experienced Shakespeare, until you have read him in the original Klingon,''" inspired members of the KLI to translate ''Hamlet'' into Klingon.}}
 
----
  
----
 
;nuqneH, qaleghneS: ''What do you want? I am honored to see you'' ({{TNG|The Emissary}})
  
;nuqneH, qaleghneS: ''What do you want? I am honored to see you'' ({{TNG|The Emissary}})
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{{bginfo|As with many other Klingon quotations, this song is grammatically ill-formed according to [[Marc Okrand]]'s dictionary. A close equivalent of the given English translation might be something similar to:
  
{{bginfo|As with many other Klingon quotations, this song is grammatically ill-formed according to [[Marc Okrand]]'s dictionary. A close equivalent of the given English translation might be something similar to:
 
;'ej ngIb Saw', vI', Dech je 'Iw;
  
;'ej ngIb Saw', vI', Dech je 'Iw;
−
;'ej Doq, SoDtaH, ghoStaH SIQal bIQtIq;
 +
;'ej Doq, SoDtaH, ghoStaH SIqral bIQtIq;
 
;ngugh, jaj nIv law' Hoch nIv puS,
  
;ngugh, jaj nIv law' Hoch nIv puS,
 
;molor mIgh HoHchu'qu'DI' qeylIS.
  
;molor mIgh HoHchu'qu'DI' qeylIS.
Line 288: Line 347:
 
----
  
----
 
;wIy cha': ''show tactical display'' ({{film|1}})
  
;wIy cha': ''show tactical display'' ({{film|1}})
  +
----
  +
;Chak wa kah Deesh paklah! Kah Deesh paklah 'kiV Duj Duj-to!: ''We've been attacked by an unknown ship, designation ''Enterprise'' NX-01. Any warships in range, respond.'' ({{ENT|Sleeping Dogs}})
  +
  +
;QonoS Thrott! Nej jos mIch ka Xanant 'ach pagh: an extract from a [[captain's log]] entry ({{ENT|Sleeping Dogs}})
  +
----
  +
;Gorat kA!: ''This way!'' ({{ENT|Marauders}})
  +
{{bginfo|The definition of this phrase comes from the final draft script of "Marauders".}}
  +
----
  +
;Qi-yah!: basically means ''Holy s**t!'' ({{ENT|Borderland}})
  +
{{bginfo|The definition of this phrase comes from the final draft script of "Borderland".}}
 
----
  
----
 
;SoHvaD pagh vIjatlh, Human!: ''I have nothing to say to you, Human!''
  
;SoHvaD pagh vIjatlh, Human!: ''I have nothing to say to you, Human!''
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[[Michael Okuda]], who led the [[TNG]]-era art departments in creating the Klingon language as seen in graphics or script, starting from {{film|4}} onward, has admitted they are randomly arranged symbols, which he based on the small number of Klingon writings visible in ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' and the first three {{Star Trek films}}. The original script was designed by [[Matt Jefferies]], also responsible for the very first visual representation of the definitive Klingon emblem, for use on the [[D7 class model]] as used in the ''Original Series''. ({{STTM|2|6|70}}) These graphics and writings do not reflect any possible spellings or translations in what Okrand's non-[[canon]] works call ''pIqaD'', the native Klingon writing system. ''(NOTE: An unofficial guide to ''pIqaD'' is included on the box insert of the ''[[Star Trek Klingon Edition Monopoly]]'' game.)''
  
[[Michael Okuda]], who led the [[TNG]]-era art departments in creating the Klingon language as seen in graphics or script, starting from {{film|4}} onward, has admitted they are randomly arranged symbols, which he based on the small number of Klingon writings visible in ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' and the first three {{Star Trek films}}. The original script was designed by [[Matt Jefferies]], also responsible for the very first visual representation of the definitive Klingon emblem, for use on the [[D7 class model]] as used in the ''Original Series''. ({{STTM|2|6|70}}) These graphics and writings do not reflect any possible spellings or translations in what Okrand's non-[[canon]] works call ''pIqaD'', the native Klingon writing system. ''(NOTE: An unofficial guide to ''pIqaD'' is included on the box insert of the ''[[Star Trek Klingon Edition Monopoly]]'' game.)''
   
−
The Klingon language as spoken was originally developed by UCLA dialectician [[Hartmut Scharfe]], [[James Doohan]] and [[Jon Povill]] for {{film|1}}. Doohan, who had expertise with various dialects, became involved in developing the Klingon language after he had a discussion with [[Gene Roddenberry]] over lunch. Decades later, Doohan remembered, "''[Roddenberry] didn't like what [the dialectician] created. I said, 'Well, I'll do it for you after lunch.' I was doing something close to Mongolian.''" Povill has related in more detail, "''When we switched from TV to motion picture, we had decided to make sure that the Klingons weren't speaking English, so we now asked our language expert, Hartmut, to help us construct a Klingon language. Whereas he had given us just what we needed for the [[Vulcan]]s, his Klingonese didn't sound alien enough. Hartmut is Indian, and he was using it as a combination of Sanskrit and Germanic, it sounded in some ways recognizable, so we were not completely satisfied. Jimmy Doohan has always been good at just kind of making up dialects and languages, so he volunteered his services to help us. After Hartmut had done his thing and worked it all out logically, Jimmy and I just sat down one day and made up stuff. We created the Klingonese by using some of what Hartmut had done and then combining it with our own: we strung together nonsense syllables, basically, totally made up sounds with clicks, and grunts, and hisses. Jimmy actually taught it to Mark Lenard and the others just prior to the shooting of that scene, which didn't take place until many months later.''" At the time, Doohan told his co-workers, "''We have to cut out vowels as much as possible.''" (''[[Return to Tomorrow - The Filming of Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]'', pp. 260-261; {{STM|80|16}})
 +
The Klingon language as spoken was originally developed by UCLA dialectician [[Hartmut Scharfe]], [[James Doohan]] and [[Jon Povill]] for {{film|1}}. Doohan, who had expertise with various dialects, became involved in developing the Klingon language after he had a discussion with [[Gene Roddenberry]] over lunch. Decades later, Doohan remembered, "''[Roddenberry] didn't like what [the dialectician] created. I said, 'Well, I'll do it for you after lunch.' I was doing something close to Mongolian.''" Povill has related in more detail, "''When we switched from TV to motion picture, we had decided to make sure that the Klingons weren't speaking English, so we now asked our language expert, Hartmut, to help us construct a Klingon language. Whereas he had given us just what we needed for the [[Vulcan]]s, his Klingonese didn't sound alien enough. Hartmut is Indian ''[sic: Scharfe was of German descent, but a languages specialist as spoken on the Indian subcontinent]'', and he was using it as a combination of Sanskrit and Germanic, it sounded in some ways recognizable, so we were not completely satisfied. Jimmy Doohan has always been good at just kind of making up dialects and languages, so he volunteered his services to help us. After Hartmut had done his thing and worked it all out logically, Jimmy and I just sat down one day and made up stuff. We created the Klingonese by using some of what Hartmut had done and then combining it with our own: we strung together nonsense syllables, basically, totally made up sounds with clicks, and grunts, and hisses. Jimmy actually taught it to Mark Lenard and the others just prior to the shooting of that scene, which didn't take place until many months later.''" At the time, Doohan told his co-workers, "''We have to cut out vowels as much as possible.''" (''[[Return to Tomorrow - The Filming of Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]'', pp. 260-261; {{STM|80|16}})
   
 
At that time the language was first featured, it essentially consisted of only a few exclamations, and the Klingon language was expanded for {{film|3}} by [[Marc Okrand]], who enlarged the lexicon and created a grammar around the original dozen words Doohan had created. It has spawned several [[reference works]], beginning with ''[[The Klingon Dictionary]]''. [[Montgomery Scott|Scotty]] once remarked, "''reading Klingon, that's hard.''" ({{film|4}})
  
At that time the language was first featured, it essentially consisted of only a few exclamations, and the Klingon language was expanded for {{film|3}} by [[Marc Okrand]], who enlarged the lexicon and created a grammar around the original dozen words Doohan had created. It has spawned several [[reference works]], beginning with ''[[The Klingon Dictionary]]''. [[Montgomery Scott|Scotty]] once remarked, "''reading Klingon, that's hard.''" ({{film|4}})
  +
  +
One of the questions raised by a pending lawsuit against the creators of the fan film ''Star Trek: Axanar'' involves who owns the Klingon language and can therefore use it in it and other unofficial films. [http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/apr/29/star-trek-fan-film-klingon-paramount-cbs-lawsuit]
   
 
==== Sounds ====
  
==== Sounds ====
−
The sounds of the Klingon language as developed by Marc Okrand are harsh and guttural. This transliteration system was used in preparing scripts and phrases when Okrand supplied dialog and coached pronunciation.
 +
The sounds of the Klingon language as developed by Marc Okrand are harsh and guttural. This transliteration system was used in preparing scripts and phrases when Okrand supplied dialogue and coached pronunciation.
   
−
Below is a table providing a rough guide on how to pronounce Klingon and the standard transliteration of the sounds of Klingon. Please note that this table corresponds to the sounds of the standard dialect used when Okrand created the language; other writers have introduced other sounds and concepts into the language.
+
Below is a table providing a rough guide on how to pronounce Klingon and the standard transliteration of the sounds of Klingon. Please note that this table corresponds to the sounds of the standard dialect used when Okrand created the language; other writers have introduced other sounds and concepts into the language.
   
 
{| class="grey"
  
{| class="grey"
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==== Basic phrases ====
  
==== Basic phrases ====
−
Below is a short list of some useful basic phrases in the ''tlhIngan Hol'' dialect, the most commonly-heard dialect used in the [[Klingon Empire|Empire]].
+
Below is a short list of some useful basic phrases in the ''tlhIngan Hol'' dialect, the most commonly-heard dialect used in the [[Klingon Empire|Empire]].
 
{| class="grey"
  
{| class="grey"
 
|-
  
|-
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| Do you speak English?
  
| Do you speak English?
 
| ''<nowiki>DIvI' Hol Dajatlh'a'</nowiki>''
  
| ''<nowiki>DIvI' Hol Dajatlh'a'</nowiki>''
  +
|-
  +
| I am a Klingon.
  +
| ''tlhIngan jIH.''
 
|-
  
|-
 
| I understand.
 
| I understand.
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| It is a good day to die!
  
| It is a good day to die!
 
| ''Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam''
  
| ''Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam''
  +
|-
  +
| "Follow me!"
  +
| ''Chos'Ghos!"
  +
|-
  +
| Come!
  +
| ''ghoS!''
  +
|-
  +
| Stop!
  +
| ''Ki'tow!''
  +
|-
  +
| Take him!
  +
| ''vang ghaH!''
  +
|-
  +
| What's going on?
  +
| ''chay'pen Aha'bA?''
  +
|-
  +
| Well done!
  +
| ''majQa'!''
  +
|-
  +
| Let's go.
  +
| ''khi-GOSH.''
 
|}
  
|}
   
 
==== Inconsistencies ====
  
==== Inconsistencies ====
−
The ''tlhIngan Hol'' dialect is featured most prominently in the ''Star Trek'' movies and intermittently in the series. Some writers on the television series followed ''[[The Klingon Dictionary]]'' fairly closely, while others did not. {{st.com|qapla-klingon-language-creator-marc-okrand-part-2||article}} [[Ronald D. Moore]], noted for his major contributions to developing the Klingon culture, commented "''Whether or not we use the language as spelled out in Marc's dictionary is up to the individual writer. I personally find the dictionary cumbersome and usually find it easier to make it up phonetically.''" {{AOLchat|Ronald D. Moore|ron073|1997}} Marc Okrand noted that despite these departures, "''[A]ny Klingon spoken during TNG counts as legitimate Klingon, whether I made it up or not, and I've incorporated all of it into the language.''" {{st.com|qapla-klingon-language-creator-marc-okrand-part-2||article}}
 +
The ''tlhIngan Hol'' dialect is featured most prominently in the ''Star Trek'' movies and intermittently in the series. Some writers on the television series followed ''[[The Klingon Dictionary]]'' fairly closely, while others did not. {{st.com|qapla-klingon-language-creator-marc-okrand-part-2||article}} [[Ronald D. Moore]], noted for his major contributions to developing the Klingon culture, commented "''Whether or not we use the language as spelled out in Marc's dictionary is up to the individual writer. I personally find the dictionary cumbersome and usually find it easier to make it up phonetically.''" {{AOLchat|Ronald D. Moore|ron073|1997}} Marc Okrand noted that despite these departures, "''[A]ny Klingon spoken during TNG counts as legitimate Klingon, whether I made it up or not, and I've incorporated all of it into the language.''" {{st.com|qapla-klingon-language-creator-marc-okrand-part-2||article}}
   
 
Such departures from Okrand's version included the following:
  
Such departures from Okrand's version included the following:
 
*The writers made up their own Klingon words: e.g ''kuva'magh'' or ''pfiots'', against Okrand's pronunciation rules of standard ''tlhIngan Hol''
  
*The writers made up their own Klingon words: e.g ''kuva'magh'' or ''pfiots'', against Okrand's pronunciation rules of standard ''tlhIngan Hol''
−
*They used established Klingon words but in such a way that they were strung together without following Okrand's grammar rules, for example ''<nowiki>SoH batlh jI'</nowiki>'' for "you honor me", even though this sentence means something like "I am a honor you are". The correct translation of "you honor me" would be ''choquvmoH'' or ''tuquvmoH'', depending on whether ''you'' referred to one person or multiple people.
 +
*They used established Klingon words but in such a way that they were strung together without following Okrand's grammar rules, for example ''<nowiki>SoH batlh jI'</nowiki>'' for "you honor me", even though this sentence means something like "I am a honor you are". The correct translation of "you honor me" would be ''choquvmoH'' or ''tuquvmoH'', depending on whether ''you'' referred to one person or multiple people.
 
*They gave new or extended meaning based on the English translation of a word, for example ''pu'DaH'' (pronounced poo-dakh) - phasers and ''cha'' (pronounced chah) - torpedoes, becomes ''pu'Dah dak cha'' (pronounced puh-dar dack chah) meaning photon torpedoes, when Okrand had already devised ' ''otlh cha''.
  
*They gave new or extended meaning based on the English translation of a word, for example ''pu'DaH'' (pronounced poo-dakh) - phasers and ''cha'' (pronounced chah) - torpedoes, becomes ''pu'Dah dak cha'' (pronounced puh-dar dack chah) meaning photon torpedoes, when Okrand had already devised ' ''otlh cha''.
−
*Okrand specified that Klingons do not have any rituals for ending conversations, since courtesy was not part of their culture. A conversation simply ends when either participant leaves. However, ''<nowiki>qapla'</nowiki>'' ("success") is often used in dialog where English-speaking humans would say, "good-bye".
 +
*Okrand specified that Klingons do not have any rituals for ending conversations, since courtesy was not part of their culture. A conversation simply ends when either participant leaves. However, ''Qapla''' ("success") is often used in dialogue where English-speaking humans would say, "good-bye".
   
 
====Lyrics====
  
====Lyrics====
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** {{film|12}}
  
** {{film|12}}
 
* {{TNG}}
  
* {{TNG}}
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** {{e|Heart of Glory}}
 
** {{e|The Icarus Factor}}
  
** {{e|The Icarus Factor}}
 
** {{e|Reunion}}
  
** {{e|Reunion}}
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** {{e|Broken Bow}} (by [[Klaang]], [[Hoshi Sato]] and the leader of the [[Klingon High Council]])
  
** {{e|Broken Bow}} (by [[Klaang]], [[Hoshi Sato]] and the leader of the [[Klingon High Council]])
 
** {{e|Sleeping Dogs}}
  
** {{e|Sleeping Dogs}}
  +
** {{e|Marauders}}
 
** {{e|Observer Effect}} (by Hoshi Sato)
  
** {{e|Observer Effect}} (by Hoshi Sato)
 
** {{e|Affliction}} (by the unnamed [[Unnamed Klingons (22nd century)#Klingon Prisoner|Klingon prisoner]])
  
** {{e|Affliction}} (by the unnamed [[Unnamed Klingons (22nd century)#Klingon Prisoner|Klingon prisoner]])
 
</div>
  
</div>
   
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=== External links ===
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===External links===
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* {{mbeta}}
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*{{mbeta|Klingonese}}
  +
*{{mbeta|Klingonaase}}
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* [http://wiki.qephom.de/En/ Klingon Language Wiki] - a wiki to teach and learn Klingon
  
  +
*{{mbeta|tlhIngan Hol}}
⚫
* [[w:c:klingon|The Klingon Encyclopedia]] (only in Klingon)
  
  ⚫
*[http://wiki.qephom.de/En/ Klingon Language Wiki] - a wiki to teach and learn Klingon
⚫
* [[w:c:mughom:tlhIngan Hol mu'ghom:ghItlh'a'|The Klingon Dictionary]]
  
  ⚫
*[[w:c:klingon|The Klingon Encyclopedia]] (only in Klingon)
−
* [http://www.kli.org Klingon Language Institute]
  
  ⚫
*[[w:c:mughom:tlhIngan Hol mu'ghom:ghItlh'a'|The Klingon Dictionary]]
⚫
* {{wikipedia|Klingon language}}
  
−
* [http://www.google.com/intl/xx-klingon/ Klingon portal] at [http://www.google.com Google] - Kloogle?
 +
*[http://www.kli.org Klingon Language Institute]
  ⚫
*{{wikipedia|Klingon language}}
⚫
* [http://klingonska.org/ Klingonska Akademien] - Swedish Klingon Academy
  
  +
*[http://www.google.com/intl/xx-klingon/ Klingon portal] at [http://www.google.com Google] - Kloogle?
  ⚫
*[http://klingonska.org/ Klingonska Akademien] - Swedish Klingon Academy
   
 
[[de:Klingonische Sprache]]
  
[[de:Klingonische Sprache]]

Revision as of 19:28, 30 April 2016

AT: "xx"

Klingon written language

An example of Klingon script reading (in English): "Deck 2, red sector"

File:Klingon script.gif

The Klingon written language

Paq batlh

The paq'batlh, an ancient Klingon scroll written in Klingonese

File:Klingon Characters.jpg

Klingon characters (Klingonese) on a terminal

File:Klingon Characters2.jpg

Klingon characters (Klingonese) on a terminal

Klingonese (also known more commonly as "Klingon") was the language used throughout the Klingon Empire. It was boasted that half the quadrant was learning the language by the mid-23rd century. (TOS: "The Trouble with Tribbles")

The Klingon language contained eighty poly-guttural dialects constructed on an adaptive syntax. The first Human to become fluent in it was Hoshi Sato, who learned from a linguistic database provided by the Vulcans. (ENT: "Broken Bow") Sato once remarked that a book given to her by Tarquin, written by a civilization over a thousand years dead, was in a language very similar to Medieval Klingon. (ENT: "Exile")

The Klingon language was not an immutable language. It was constantly changing to meet the needs and aspirations of the people. In the mid-24th century, the word peacemaker appeared for the first time in Klingonese after the negotiations mediated by Riva between the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets took place. (TNG: "Loud As A Whisper") However, as of the late 24th century, there still did not seem to be a Klingon word for jolly. (TNG: "Parallels")

By the late-23rd century, several Federation authors wrote books on learning the Klingon language. Uhura had several on hand aboard the Enterprise-A in 2293, when she had to convince a Klingon patrol post that they were the Klingon freighter Ursva, including Introduction to Klingon Grammar. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Several of these books were seen in greater detail in the Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Special Edition) DVD special features.
Nichelle Nichols complained that with the Klingons as the Federation's primary enemy, a good communications officer would be able to speak at least basic Klingon. Director Nicholas Meyer preferred to keep the scene as it was, for "the laugh."

In the alternate reality, Uhura described her mastery of Klingon as "rusty", but she appeared fluent enough to negotiate with members of the Klingon Defense Force. (Star Trek Into Darkness)

Montgomery Scott once stated that reading Klingon was hard compared to maintaining damage control aboard a Klingon Bird-of-Prey. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

The directory of the Promenade on Deep Space 9 was written in Klingonese, as well as English, Vulcan, Ferengi, Bajoran, and Cardassian.

Kathryn Janeway stated to Arturis that, while Arturis could speak over 4,000 languages, she could barely speak basic Klingon. B'Elanna Torres stated that she found the language a little too robust for her taste. Despite being half-Klingon herself, she was only able to speak a few phrases of Klingonese. (VOY: "Hope and Fear")

In 2374, Alexander Rozhenko admitted to Miles O'Brien that he could barely even say his name in Klingon. (DS9: "You Are Cordially Invited")

In the Risan language, the Klingon language was still called "Klingon". (ENT: "Two Days and Two Nights")

Klingon vocabulary

Word Meaning Usage Source
adanji a type of incense used only for Mauk-to'Vor DS9: "Sons of Mogh"
baH fire! (as in torpedoes, disruptors, etc.) Star Trek: The Motion Picture
baktag an insult TNG: "Redemption II"
bat'leth sword of honor; a two-handed sword-like Klingon melee weapon TNG: "Reunion"
Bekk an enlisted rank in the Klingon Defense Force DS9: "Sons and Daughters"
d'akturak ice-man DS9: "Blood Oath"
d'blok an insult (it is unclear what exactly d'blok means.) In 2372, Chancellor Gowron compared Worf to a mute d'blok, when Worf didn't answer Gowron's offer to come with him to Cardassia Prime, immediately. DS9: "The Way of the Warrior"
Dhak'tah wall/barrier/hull ENT: "Sleeping Dogs"
d'k tahg a traditional Klingon warrior's knife Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Fek'lhr the demonic guard of Gre'thor, according to Klingon mythology TNG: "Devil's Due"
Forshak a substance which smells bad when it rots In 2373, Worf insulted Thopok by suggesting he smelled like a pile of rotting forshak. (DS9: "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places")
ghoptu hand DS9: "Blood Oath"
gik'tal to the death TNG: "Lower Decks"
Gre'thor the mythological place where souls of the dishonored go after death TNG: "Devil's Due"
he'ymar energize (voice command to transporter activation) DS9: "Past Prologue"
Ha'DIbaH! animal DS9: "Blood Oath"
HIjol energize (voice command to transporter activation) ENT: "Marauders"
hur'q outsider DS9: "The Sword of Kahless"
jagh enemy ENT: "Judgment"
jak'tahla Klingon time of adolescence Star Trek: Insurrection
jat'yIn spiritual possession, lit. "the taking of the living by the dead" TNG: "Power Play"
Jelik a word, phrase, name, place, or event mentioned by Klaang to Hoshi Sato in 2151; along with Sarin, Rigel, and Tholia, Sato could not translate the word or understand its meaning (ENT: "Broken Bow")
jinaq a pendant given to a young Klingon female old enough to take a mate. TNG: "Birthright, Part II"
J'khat bah fusion manifold ENT: "Sleeping Dogs"
kajunpak't courage DS9: "Blood Oath"
kellicam a Klingon measurement of distance Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Kolat chack tabak Plasma Containment ENT: "Sleeping Dogs"
k'pekt an insult DS9: "Blood Oath"
Kortar in Klingon mythology, the first Klingon created by the gods and who destroyed them VOY: "Barge of the Dead"
kos'karii pale, serpent-like creatures from Klingon mythology, who roam the waters of the underworld VOY: "Barge of the Dead"
kut'luch a traditional knife used by Klingon assassins TNG: "Sins of the Father" VOY: "Real Life"
Kyamo Beautiful DS9: "Blood Oath"
Mauk-to'Vor a ritual in which one kills a wrongfully disgraced sibling to restore their honor in Sto-vo-kor DS9: "Sons of Mogh"
mek'leth a Klingon blade weapon DS9: "The Way of the Warrior"
mevak a traditional knife used for Mauk-to'Vor DS9: "Sons of Mogh"
Mok'tah bad match VOY: "Drive"
nIb'poH déjà vu TNG: "Cause and Effect"
Nuq'nuh A traditional greeting. DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach"
par'Mach love, but with more aggressive or violent undertones DS9: "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places"
petaQ an insult See below TNG: "The Defector", et al.
Pu'DaH dak cha Photon torpedoes ENT: "Sleeping Dogs"
Qapla' success Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
qhonDoq a type of assassin's blade TNG: "Sins of the Father"
Quee nagah Impulse drive ENT: "Sleeping Dogs"
Qui'Tu the place where all life began, according to Klingon mythology Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
shuVak a servant DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach"
Soch the number seven (citation needed • edit)
soh-chim step-sibling, god parent (roughly); legal guardian assigned by a Klingon warrior prior to battle TNG: "Parallels"
Sto-vo-kor the afterlife of the honored dead, where Kahless the Unforgettable resides TNG: "Rightful Heir"
Suvwl' Warrior TNG: "The Icarus Factor", "Redemption"
taHqeq a being known for telling lies; used as an insult when questioning another's honesty TNG: "The Mind's Eye"
tohzah an insult TNG: "The Defector"
toruk-doh an insult DS9: "You Are Cordially Invited"
yan a sword TNG: "Redemption"; DS9: "Apocalypse Rising"

Klingonese quotes

bortaS bIr jablu'DI' reH QaQqu' nay'
Revenge is a dish best served cold or literally When revenge is served cold, the dish is very good (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
Mentioned by Khan Noonien Singh, but not in Klingon. The Klingon translation first appeared in Okrand's second book, The Klingon Way (p. 133)
bangwI'
"My beloved"
Spoken by Valkris to Kruge shortly before her vessel was destroyed.
matlh! jol yIchu'!
"Maltz! Activate beam!" (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)
Kruge when beaming the crew of the Enterprise to his Bird of Prey, and when Kirk beams up with Spock after defeating Kruge.
taH pagh taHbe'
to be or not to be (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
Spoken by General Chang during diplomatic dinner on board the Enterprise. As explained in the foreword of The Klingon Hamlet, the phrase uttered by chancellor Gorkon, "You have not experienced Shakespeare, until you have read him in the original Klingon," inspired members of the KLI to translate Hamlet into Klingon.
nuqneH, qaleghneS
What do you want? I am honored to see you (TNG: "The Emissary")
naDev ghoS
come here (TNG: "Redemption")
jIlajneS. ghIj qet jaghmeyjaj
"I accept [with honor]. May your enemies run with fear" (TNG: "Redemption")
Lit: I accept your honor. He is scared, the scattered around enemies' day run.

A drinking song:

'ej HumtaH 'ej DechtaH 'Iw
And the blood was ankle deep
'ej Doq SoDtaH ghoSpa' Sqral bIQtIq
And the River Skral ran crimson red
'e' pa' jaj law' mo' jaj puS
On the day above all days
jaj qeylIS molar mIgh HoHchu'qu'
When Kahless slew evil Molor dead (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior"; VOY: "Barge of the Dead")
As with many other Klingon quotations, this song is grammatically ill-formed according to Marc Okrand's dictionary. A close equivalent of the given English translation might be something similar to:
'ej ngIb Saw', vI', Dech je 'Iw;
'ej Doq, SoDtaH, ghoStaH SIqral bIQtIq;
ngugh, jaj nIv law' Hoch nIv puS,
molor mIgh HoHchu'qu'DI' qeylIS.
Mok'Ta vor, kash a'VEH
You are an enemy of my House (DS9: "You Are Cordially Invited")
wIy cha'
show tactical display (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)
Chak wa kah Deesh paklah! Kah Deesh paklah 'kiV Duj Duj-to!
We've been attacked by an unknown ship, designation Enterprise NX-01. Any warships in range, respond. (ENT: "Sleeping Dogs")
QonoS Thrott! Nej jos mIch ka Xanant 'ach pagh
an extract from a captain's log entry (ENT: "Sleeping Dogs")
Gorat kA!
This way! (ENT: "Marauders")
The definition of this phrase comes from the final draft script of "Marauders".
Qi-yah!
basically means Holy s**t! (ENT: "Borderland")
The definition of this phrase comes from the final draft script of "Borderland".
SoHvaD pagh vIjatlh, Human!
I have nothing to say to you, Human!
'ay'vamDaq nuHmey tIQeq
target weapons on this section (ENT: "Affliction")
quv lughaj Archer HoD beqDaj je
Captain Archer and his crew are honorable people (ENT: "The Augments")
maj ram
"Good night", as said by both Jadzia Dax and Kor as the former headed for bed. (DS9: "The Sword of Kahless")
Du'cha
In 2371, the USS Enterprise-D arrived at Veridian III and hailed the cloaked Bird-of-Prey used by Lursa and B'Etor. A Klingon officer told B'Etor of the Enterprise's hailing, but B'Etor responded with "Du'cha. We're still cloaked. They can't see us." (Star Trek Generations)

petaQ

One Klingon term used as an insult on numerous occasions was petaQ (also spelled "Pahtak", "Pathak", "p'tahk", "p'takh", "patahk", "pahtk", or "p'tak"). It was also used by the Klingons of the mirror universe.

According to William T. Riker, petaQ was a curse word. (TNG: "The Defector")

Usage

As can be seen above, many different spellings of the word have appeared over the years. petaQ is the official Klingon spelling from Marc Okrand's Klingon Dictionary.

Non-Klingon speakers of Klingonese

Appendices

Background information

The Klingon language was originally called "Klingonese" in the episode "The Trouble with Tribbles" (by Korax) and again in "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places" (by Quark). Most later episodes refer to the language simply as "Klingon," and non-canon names include Klingonaase and tlhIngan Hol. Some people assert that Michael Pataki actually said "Klingoni" in "The Trouble with Tribbles", possibly a result of his character's drunken state, but this conflicts with the script and the Star Trek Encyclopedia.

D7-class signage as designed by Matt Jefferies

Jefferies' Klingon emblem and script design

Michael Okuda, who led the TNG-era art departments in creating the Klingon language as seen in graphics or script, starting from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home onward, has admitted they are randomly arranged symbols, which he based on the small number of Klingon writings visible in Star Trek: The Original Series and the first three Star Trek films. The original script was designed by Matt Jefferies, also responsible for the very first visual representation of the definitive Klingon emblem, for use on the D7 class model as used in the Original Series. (Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 2, Issue 6, p. 70) These graphics and writings do not reflect any possible spellings or translations in what Okrand's non-canon works call pIqaD, the native Klingon writing system. (NOTE: An unofficial guide to pIqaD is included on the box insert of the Star Trek Klingon Edition Monopoly game.)

The Klingon language as spoken was originally developed by UCLA dialectician Hartmut Scharfe, James Doohan and Jon Povill for Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Doohan, who had expertise with various dialects, became involved in developing the Klingon language after he had a discussion with Gene Roddenberry over lunch. Decades later, Doohan remembered, "[Roddenberry] didn't like what [the dialectician] created. I said, 'Well, I'll do it for you after lunch.' I was doing something close to Mongolian." Povill has related in more detail, "When we switched from TV to motion picture, we had decided to make sure that the Klingons weren't speaking English, so we now asked our language expert, Hartmut, to help us construct a Klingon language. Whereas he had given us just what we needed for the Vulcans, his Klingonese didn't sound alien enough. Hartmut is Indian [sic: Scharfe was of German descent, but a languages specialist as spoken on the Indian subcontinent], and he was using it as a combination of Sanskrit and Germanic, it sounded in some ways recognizable, so we were not completely satisfied. Jimmy Doohan has always been good at just kind of making up dialects and languages, so he volunteered his services to help us. After Hartmut had done his thing and worked it all out logically, Jimmy and I just sat down one day and made up stuff. We created the Klingonese by using some of what Hartmut had done and then combining it with our own: we strung together nonsense syllables, basically, totally made up sounds with clicks, and grunts, and hisses. Jimmy actually taught it to Mark Lenard and the others just prior to the shooting of that scene, which didn't take place until many months later." At the time, Doohan told his co-workers, "We have to cut out vowels as much as possible." (Return to Tomorrow - The Filming of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, pp. 260-261; Star Trek Monthly issue 80, p. 16)

At that time the language was first featured, it essentially consisted of only a few exclamations, and the Klingon language was expanded for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock by Marc Okrand, who enlarged the lexicon and created a grammar around the original dozen words Doohan had created. It has spawned several reference works, beginning with The Klingon Dictionary. Scotty once remarked, "reading Klingon, that's hard." (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

One of the questions raised by a pending lawsuit against the creators of the fan film Star Trek: Axanar involves who owns the Klingon language and can therefore use it in it and other unofficial films. [1]

Sounds

The sounds of the Klingon language as developed by Marc Okrand are harsh and guttural. This transliteration system was used in preparing scripts and phrases when Okrand supplied dialogue and coached pronunciation.

Below is a table providing a rough guide on how to pronounce Klingon and the standard transliteration of the sounds of Klingon. Please note that this table corresponds to the sounds of the standard dialect used when Okrand created the language; other writers have introduced other sounds and concepts into the language.

Letter Sound Letter Sound
a as in father or balm o as in go or close
b as in ball; in some dialects it is pronounced mb as in amber or m as in mess p as in pass
ch as in chess q similar to "k" but pronounced further back in the throat
D as in dead but with the tongue rolled further back; also like "nd" or "n" in some dialects Q pronounced like q but choked, a very raspy sound, very forceful,very similar to the initial "cr" phoneme in croissant.
e as in bed r as in rotary, but trilled
gh similar to "g" but softly gargled, sounds a bit like the French "r" S half-way between "s" and "sh", like "s" but with the tongue rolled back
H as in Scottish loch or German Bach t as in tops
I as in in or lift tlh like tl in bottle or Aztec tetl
j as in jump u as in snooze but shorter
l as in land v as in valve
m as in mole w as in walker or where
n as in nostril y as in young
ng as in sing, never like the "ng" in finger ' glottal stop, as in uh-oh or cockney bo(tt)le

Basic phrases

Below is a short list of some useful basic phrases in the tlhIngan Hol dialect, the most commonly-heard dialect used in the Empire.

English (Human Hol, DIvI' Hol) Klingonese (tlhIngan Hol)
Do you speak Klingon? tlhIngan Hol Dajatlh'a'
I don't speak Klingon. tlhIngan Hol vIjatlhbe'
Do you speak English? DIvI' Hol Dajatlh'a'
I am a Klingon. tlhIngan jIH.
I understand. jIyaj
Beam me aboard! HIjol
Fire thrusters! chuyDaH
Buy or die! bIje'be'chugh vaj bIHegh!
Pay now! DaH yIDIl
I am a ... ... jIH
Klingon, Romulan, Human tlhIngan, romuluSngan, tera'ngan
Vulcan, Ferengi, Cardassian vulqangan, verengan, qarDaSngan/qarDaSya'ngan
Visual! HaSta
Ready torpedoes! cha yIghuS
Ready... 'eHHH...
Evasive! juntaH!
Surrender or die! bIjeghbe'chugh vaj bIHegh!
It is a good day to die! Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam
"Follow me!" Chos'Ghos!"
Come! ghoS!
Stop! Ki'tow!
Take him! vang ghaH!
What's going on? chay'pen Aha'bA?
Well done! majQa'!
Let's go. khi-GOSH.

Inconsistencies

The tlhIngan Hol dialect is featured most prominently in the Star Trek movies and intermittently in the series. Some writers on the television series followed The Klingon Dictionary fairly closely, while others did not. Klingonese at StarTrek.com Ronald D. Moore, noted for his major contributions to developing the Klingon culture, commented "Whether or not we use the language as spelled out in Marc's dictionary is up to the individual writer. I personally find the dictionary cumbersome and usually find it easier to make it up phonetically." (AOL chat, 1997) Marc Okrand noted that despite these departures, "[A]ny Klingon spoken during TNG counts as legitimate Klingon, whether I made it up or not, and I've incorporated all of it into the language." Klingonese at StarTrek.com

Such departures from Okrand's version included the following:

  • The writers made up their own Klingon words: e.g kuva'magh or pfiots, against Okrand's pronunciation rules of standard tlhIngan Hol
  • They used established Klingon words but in such a way that they were strung together without following Okrand's grammar rules, for example SoH batlh jI' for "you honor me", even though this sentence means something like "I am a honor you are". The correct translation of "you honor me" would be choquvmoH or tuquvmoH, depending on whether you referred to one person or multiple people.
  • They gave new or extended meaning based on the English translation of a word, for example pu'DaH (pronounced poo-dakh) - phasers and cha (pronounced chah) - torpedoes, becomes pu'Dah dak cha (pronounced puh-dar dack chah) meaning photon torpedoes, when Okrand had already devised ' otlh cha.
  • Okrand specified that Klingons do not have any rituals for ending conversations, since courtesy was not part of their culture. A conversation simply ends when either participant leaves. However, Qapla' ("success") is often used in dialogue where English-speaking humans would say, "good-bye".

Lyrics

Composers have also used Klingon lyrics in their leitmotifs for the films. Cliff Eidelman, who composed Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country used taH pagh taHbe', a translation of "to be or not to be", for the choral parts for the score on Rura Penthe, in reference to Chang's love of William Shakespeare. [2]

For Star Trek Into Darkness, music editor Alex Levy incorporated Klingon lyrics into Michael Giacchino's score, mainly using Klingon insults to represent their fury at Kirk's intrusion of their planet. [3]

See also

Episodes in which Klingonese is spoken

External links

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