tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Tue Feb 19 12:22:01 2002
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
Re: A question
Nyal Meara asks:
> > How do I say "Death before dishonor" in Klingon?
charghwI' provided several examples. I'll repeat here what I just posted
in another thread...
The oath is short for "May I die before I am dishonored" or "May you die
before you are dishonored," depending on who's talking to whom. (HINT:
When translating an English noun-heavy phrase into Klingon, it helps to
rephrase it using verbs.) These can easily be translated into Klingon as:
jIquvHa'pa' jIHeghjaj.
bIquvHa'pa' bIHeghjaj.
We have a couple of examples of "may you die" in canon:
bISuvtaHvIS bIHeghjaj
May you die in battle! PK
Dajonlu'pa' bIHeghjaj
May you die before you are captured. TKW
We also have nearly the same oath, with shame instead of dishonor:
bItuHpa' bIHeghjaj
Death before shame.
("May you die before you are shamed.") PK
NOTE: Klingons prefer placing the dependent clause first - or placing the
main clause last, if you like - which is generally the opposite of English.
And, of course, you can use the always appropriate:
batlh bIHeghjaj
May you die well. TKW
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons