tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Fri Jan 26 13:25:13 2001
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re: Proverb(KLBC)
RNButler:
: HeHvaD `etlh cha' batlh
: Honor is a two edge sword
:
: I wanted to say Honor is a double edge sword but couldn't find the word
: for double.
SarrIS:
> Not wishing to intrude on BG's turf, might I recommend the noun {jey'naS}?
RNButler:
: what does jey'naS mean? In the TKD jey is a verb and a noun meaning
: defeat, itinerary
A {jey'naS} is a double-headed axe. It's discussed in _Klingon for the
Galactic Traveller_ (p.63f):
"The general term for ax is {'obmaQ}. Its handle is its {DeS} and its
blade is its {ghIt}. These words, {DeS} and {ghIt}, when referring to
humanoid anatomy, mean 'arm' and 'open, flat hand' (as opposed to a
fist), respectively, suggesting that at one time the ax was considered
an extension of the warrior himself. A double-headed ax is a {jey'naS},
while an ax with an added spike at the end is a {'alngegh}. To wield
or swing an ax is {Qach}."
KGT also introduced us to two common Klingon similes:
yuD; jey'naS rur
dishonest as a double-headed ax
yuDHa'; ghIt rur
honest as an ax head (or, honest as an open hand)
Axes and (dis)honesty seem to be linked in the Klingon mind, no doubt due to
the play on words, but you could adapt this for honor.
If you prefer swordplay, the way to say "double-edged sword" is {cha' HeH(mey)
ghajbogh 'etlh} "a sword with (which has) two edges" - plural suffixes BTW are
optional in Klingon, particularly following numbers - modeled on the following
proverbs:
butlh ghajbogh nuv'e' yIHo'.
Admire the person with dirt under his fingernails. TKW
Hov ghajbe'bogh ram rur pegh ghajbe'bogh jaj.
A day without secrets is like a night without stars. PK
We now return you to your regularly scheduled Grammarian... <g>
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons