[3190] in tlhIngan-Hol
Re: Klingon Insults
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU)
Tue Feb 15 14:34:12 1994
Errors-To: tlhIngan-Hol-request@klingon.East.Sun.COM
Errors-To: tlhIngan-Hol-request@klingon.East.Sun.COM
Errors-To: tlhIngan-Hol-request@klingon.East.Sun.COM
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Reply-To: "Klingon Language List" <tlhIngan-Hol@klingon.East.Sun.COM>
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From: Will Martin <whm2m@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu>
To: "Klingon Language List" <tlhIngan-Hol@klingon.East.Sun.COM>
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 94 14:01:29 EST
On Feb 15, 12:21pm, ataash@u.washington.edu wrote:
> Subject: Klingon Insults
First, I want to express my appreciation for these insults. I regard
them highly, as I do their author. I see much potential for their use.
Now about a picky detail or two:
> 3. tIqlIjDaq DuQbogh taj 'e' Danej.
This should probably be {tIqlIjDaq DuQ taj 'e' Danej} [You seek that a
dagger stabs the place occupied by your heart]. What you have written is
grammatically missing a verb, since the {'e'} expects a complete sentence
preceeding it and the {-bogh} makes the only preceeding verb a dependent
clause. It means something like [You seek that a dagger which stabs at your
heart....] Can you feel what is missing here? If you remove the "which" it is
more complete.
You could probably lose the {-Daq} here, too. The dagger stabs the
heart, right? {tIqlIj DuQ taj 'e' Danej}. [You seek that a dagger stabs your
heart.] DaparHa''a'?
> 4. lamDaq QuchlIj DaHabchoHta'.
>
> Literally: You have smoothed your forehead in the dirt. This accuses
> someone of excessive servility, putting their heads in the dirt so much
> they have become smooth. This has been known to start bar-clearing brawls
> in a matter of seconds.
That #4 is my favorite. Except that {Hab} is intransitive, being used as
if transitive. Try {DaHabchoHmoHpu'}. I took the liberty of assuming the act
of making smooth was not intentional.
Very inventive. I like them much.
charghwI'
