tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Tue Oct 31 03:01:07 2006
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Klingon WOTD: Doq (verb)
This is the Klingon Word Of The Day for Tuesday, October 31, 2006.
Category: Stative Verbs
Klingon word: Doq
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: be orange, red
Source: TKD (85 KE, 145 EK, 149 EK)
Swedish: vara orange, vara röd
Additional Notes:
KGT p. 82. As for the specific colors, in addition to the verb {qIj} ("be black") and {chIS} ("be white"), there are only two terms used: {SuD} ("be blue, green, yellow") and {Doq} ("be red, orange"). For everyday purposes, these four words suffice, since there is usually not much reason to distinguish, on the basis of hue alone, between two items that are both, say, {Doq} ("red, orange"). When it is necessary to talk about colors more precisely, as it might be for the creator of a {nagh beQ}, various devices are employed. One option is to make use of the emphatic suffix {-qu'}. The word {Doqqu'} (literally, "very {Doq}") refers to a color more red than orange. Similarly, {SuDqu'} ("very {SuD}") would probably be described as "green" in Federation Standard. Phrases containing the words {wov} ("light, bright") or {Hurgh} ("dark") further refine the description of the color. Thus, {SuD 'ej wov} means "(it) is {SuD} and light," a way to refer to a yellowish tinge; {SuD 'ach wov} ("{SuD} but light") is also heard. If more specificity is necessary, the item in question is generally compared to something else that typically has a particular color. For example, {Doq 'ej beqpuj rur} means "(it) is {Doq} and resembles [bekpuj]," a common mineral that is bright orange. Note that with the basic terms, the verbs, or verbs plus the emphatic {-qu'}, may be used adjectivally and modify preceding nouns: {bIQ SuD} ("blue/green/yellow water"), {HIq Doqqu'} ("red liquor"--probably bloodwine). This adjectival construction is not possible with the lengthier formations, however. To describe yellow tea ({Dargh}, "tea"), one must say {SuD Dargh 'ej wov} ("The tea is {SuD} and light") or {SuDbogh Dargh 'ej wovbogh} ("The tea that is {SuD} and light"). The fact that neither {SuD} nor {Doq} includes what is called "violet" or "purple" in Federation Standard may be related to Klingon physiology--that is, exactly how the Klingon eye processes different wavelengths of light.
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