tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Wed Aug 27 20:23:27 1997
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
Re: nuqneH
- From: "David Trimboli" <[email protected]>
- Subject: Re: nuqneH
- Date: Thu, 28 Aug 97 03:08:22 UT
On Stardate 97656.6 muHwI' wrote:
> >>nuqneH.
> > Some say it still means that.
> I think it is formed from clipped Klingon.
> "What do you want?" is {nuq DaneH?}
> Clipped Klingon leaves out prefixes, so I get {nuq neH}, which became one
> word during time.
> (As in english "o'clock", on-the-clock, etc...)
>
> > Some say it's just a greeting with no literal meaning.
> I don't think it is a greeeting like Terrans use greetings.
> I only use it when somebody approaches ME and talks to ME.
> Then I say "What do YOU want from ME?!" - nuqneH
>
> Any opinions?
Here's what KGT (pp.184-185) has to say on {nuqneH}:
v---------begin quote----------v
Finally, another sort of ritualized speech consists of ways of starting or
concluding conversations. Though, as is well known, there are really no
Klingon greetings along the lines of "hello," "how're things?" or the like.
Klingons sometimes begin a conversation by saying {nuqneH}, an idiomatic
expression meaning "What do you want?" (If fully grammatical, "What do you
want?" would be rendered as {nuq DaneH}.) The usual response to {nuqneH} is
neither a repetition of the expression nor is it an answer to the question.
There is often no particular response at all; the "greeted" party simply
begins talking about the topic at hand. Sometimes the response is {yIjatlh!}
("Speak!"), after which the person who began the conversation continues. If
the addressee has reason to be angry with the "greeter," the most likely
response is silence. The lack of a response is not necessarily an indication
of ill will, however; it may just be that the person to whom {nuqneH} is said
can think of nothing to say and is waiting for the greeter to go on.
^----------end quote----------^
The phrase means "What do you want?" but a more accurate way of translating it
might be "State your business!" Apparently it can (shudder) be used by either
party, whether the person who's entering or the person who's been there a
while. As far as I can tell, for example, it would be appropriate for a
Klingon entering a shop to say {nuqneH} to the shopkeeper, and for the
shopkeeper to reply {yIjatlh} or {DaHjaj 'IHbogh nuHmey chu' vIHev} or even
nothing at all.
I'm rather disappointed by this turn of events, but at least it's explained
away as "ritualized speech." Besides, it prevents that ludicrous image of
Klingons passing each other in the street and sweetly waving to each other,
giggling {nuqneH!}.
--
SuStel
Stardate 97656.8