[85271] in tlhIngan-Hol
Re: KLBG Translation assistance
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Doq)
Wed Jan 28 11:11:04 2009
From: Doq <doq@embarqmail.com>
To: tlhingan-hol@kli.org
In-Reply-To: <C305E6BD33E2654DAE1F8F403247B6A6916E0E198F@EVS02.ad.uchicago.edu>
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:09:00 -0500
Errors-to: tlhingan-hol-bounce@kli.org
Reply-to: tlhingan-hol@kli.org
Keep in mind that Klingons are a people who have a word for "weapon",
but lack one for a "tool". I don't think they'd have separate words
for non-weapon explosives because they likely think of them as weapons
first, and as having a constructive function secondarily.
In other words, a Klingon would never consider using a tool as a
weapon because they don't understand that an object could be a tool.
They only understand that some weapons can be used in a tool-like way,
though they don't have a word for "tool".
A human sees a claw hammer as a tool that can be used as a bludgeon. A
Klingon sees the claw hammer as a bludgeon that can be used to hammer
nails.
Given that, I think {jorwI'} is fine for "explosive ordinance", since
there aren't really words here for non-ordinance objects that involve
explosives, though there are non-ordinance uses for some explosive
ordinances.
Am I saying this clearly?
I carry a knife. I think of it as a tool. If I needed a weapon, I
probably wouldn't think of using it, because to me, it is a tool, not
a weapon. If someone pointed it out to me, I would notice that, yep, I
could use this knife as a weapon, but that's not why I carry it.
A Klingon sees a paper clip as a weapon. By the way, it can also hold
pieces of paper together, whenever you aren't actively using it as a
weapon.
Doq
On Jan 26, 2009, at 10:43 AM, Steven Boozer wrote:
> LT veS joH:
>> I want to translate "Explosive Ordnance Disposal" but I am unsure
>> of how
>> to word it. It is a job title, and "explosive ordnance" is a specific
>> type of ordnance, a hyphenated word without the hyphen or a
>> singular object
>> with a two word name. The disposal part is the act of eliminating the
>> explosive ordnance. It's not quite the same as "Garbage Disposal",
>> which
>> is a singular object with a two word name, like explosive ordnance,
>> but
>> the idea of the job is the disposal of explosive ordnance like the
>> garbage
>> disposal's job is to dispose of garbage.
>
> DloraH:
>>> Is there any reason one couldn't call them simply "explosives"
>>> instead
>>> of "explosive ordnance"? Are there explosives that are not
>>> ordnance?
>
> Sure: explosives used in construction (e.g. dynamite).
>
> IIRC ordnance refers to weapons and related supplies (e.g.
> ammunition, guns, artillery, etc.) so that "explosive ordnance"
> would be explosives used as weapons themselves or as a component
> thereof.
>
>>> jorwI' - explosive
>>> luch - gear, equipment
>
> Don't forget {jorneb} "warhead (of a torpedo/missile)" which might
> also refer to artillery shells, aerial bombs, etc. I don't know if
> it would cover landmines and the like though. If you want to
> discuss the explosive material itself (and not the specific form or
> container) keep in mind {Hap} "matter (substance), element": e.g.
> *{jormeH Hap} or *{jorbogh Hap}.
>
>>> disposal - not sure what would work best in this context.
>
> Lay'tel SIvten:
>> I came up with {jorwI' polHa'wI'} (discarder of explosive(s))
>
> {polHa'} "discard" vs. {pol} "keep, save" is perfect. On the Bird-
> of-Prey Poster {Soj polmeH pa'} is used for "food storage [locker/
> compartment]". This suggests *{jorneb polHa'meH Daq} for "bomb
> (warhead) disposal site".
>
>> or {jorwI' Qaw'wI'} (destroyer of explosive(s)).
>
> {chenHa'moH} "destroy (something)":
>
> chenHa'moHlaH
> It can destroy them ("It can cause them to undo their form"). TKD
>
> Also on the BoP Poster is {chenmoHlu'meH Daq} "construction site"
> implying *{chenHa'moHlu'meH Daq} "de-construction site". Cf. also
> the verbs {Qotlh} "disable", {lagh} "take apart, disassemble" and
> {pej} "demolish". Another useful verb is {chu'Ha'} "deactivate,
> disengage" for "disarm".
>
>
>
> --
> Voragh
> Canon Master of the Klingons
>
>
