tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Wed Jun 12 10:21:15 1996

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Re: To greet or not to greet? The canonical question


     I disagree completely.  CK makes it quite clear that the most 
appropriate way to begin a conversation in tlhIngan Hol is to "simply 
state your business.  No more and no less."  PK states that 
superfluous chit chat makes the speaker seem duplicitous.

     nuqneH is specifically mentioned as being used only if you *must* 
use a greeting, but it is not encouraged or preferred.  It is also always 
used by the person being approached, rather than the person doing the 
approaching.  This is consistent in every example.  Walking into a 
conversation, such as this list, and announcing "nuqneH!" is 
inappropriate and wrong.  I interpret it more like when you walk up to 
the counter in a store and then don't say anything.  Eventually the 
person behind the counter will say "Yes?", or "May I help you?" to begin 
the conversation.  Every example of nuqneH is used in this same context.

     I agree that newbies should not be treated rudely, and I don't think 
they have been, but it should be kept in mind that this is a KLINGON 
list.  Klingons would correct mistakes swiftly, forcefully, and 
immediately.

_________________________________________________________________

Thomas M. Zeman                         " reH nuHmey tu'lu' "

Chairman, Connecticut Division, United States Fencing Association
Prime Minister, Fat Dog Fencing Club, Wallingford, CT

University of Bridgeport:  Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA
EMAIL:  [email protected]  and/or  [email protected]
PGP Public Key:  0145FDE5  (Keyfile available upon request)

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