tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Sep 29 09:41:50 2003

Back to archive top level

To this year's listing

[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]

Re: Klingon WOTD: tlhach mu'mey (n)

Steven Boozer ([email protected]) [KLI Member] 


>This is the Klingon Word Of The Day for Monday, September 29, 2003.
>
>Klingon word:   tlhach mu'mey
>Part of Speech: noun
>Definition:     argot, jargon
>
>Additional Notes: KGT p. 45.

As explained by Okrand:

   "Practitioners of a great many activities have developed specialized 
vocabulary or uses of words in order to label the tools of their trade or 
to express subtle distinctions. such specialized language is known in 
Klingon as {tlhach mu'mey} (literally, 'faction words'). A good Federation 
Standard equivalent would be 'argot' or 'jargon'. Interestingly, some 
fairly common words in Klingon began as {tlhach mu'mey} and then, over 
time, spread to general usage, often with altered meanings. For example, 
knowledge of the language of warfare is fairly widespread, as might be 
expected given that the most striking characteristic of the Klingon Empire 
is that it is a warrior society. Similarly, terminology associated with 
food is well known. On the other hand, much specialized vocabulary 
pertaining to other endeavors remains practically unused except by experts 
in the particular fields (though most well-educated Klingons probably are 
familiar with it).
   "While it is not possible to go into every aspect of the various Klingon 
subcultures here, some examples of the {tlhach mu'mey} associated with 
certain fields are presented below. Even if a visitor never engages in any 
of these activities directly, understanding these words is a good way to 
gain a more complete comprehension of Klingon culture. At the very least, 
these words are always useful for showing off." (KGT 45-46)



-- 
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons

Back to archive top level