tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Tue Jun 26 08:18:16 2007
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Re: Klingon WOTD: peng (noun)
>This is the Klingon Word Of The Day for Tuesday, June 26, 2007.
>
>Klingon word: peng
>Part of Speech: noun
>Definition: torpedo
>
>Additional Notes:
>KGT p. 56: Ships are also equipped with an explosive weapon called a
>{peng}, usually translated as "torpedo," though "missle" might work just
>as well. The plural form of {peng} is a different word, {cha}. A {peng}
>is launched from a tube usually called a {DuS}, but another term,
>{chetvI'}, is also used, the distinction having something to do with how
>the projectile is actually loaded into the tube. The verb used for
>"launch" or "fire" a weapon of this type is {baH}, and there is even a
>special word, {ghuS}, meaning "prepare to launch." The warhead of the
>torpedo is called its {jorneb} (which seems to contain the verb {jor}
>["explode"] but is otherwise not analyzable).
Discussed by Okrand:
"There is, it should be noted, a verb {ghuS} which means 'to be prepared to
launch or project (something)'. This verb never takes the suffix {-rup}. It
is used primarily in reference to torpedoes--so much so that if the object
is not specifically stated, and context does not dictate otherwise, it is
always assumed to be 'torpedoes'. According, both of the following
sentences mean 'Be prepared to launch torpedoes!' or 'Stand by on
torpedoes!': {cha yIghuS, yIghuS}." (TKD 36f)
"Another grammatical feature of Klingon about which children frequently
become confused involves nouns that are inherently plural, such as {cha}
(torpedoes) and {ngop} (plates [for eating]), as opposed to their singular
counterparts {peng} (torpedo) and {jengva'} (plate). Instead of using the
special plural forms, children tend forms plurals of these words by simply
adding the plural suffix {-mey} to the singular forms ({pengmey},
{jengva'mey}), as would be done with most other nouns (except for those
referring to body parts or to beings capable of language, for which {-Du'}
and {-pu'}, respectively, would be used), such as {yuQmey} (planets).
Adults also add {?mey} to these nouns, but they do so to indicate that the
items are scattered about ({jengva'mey}, 'plates scattered all over the
place'). For children who say {jengva'mey}, it apparently means simply
'plates'; that is, it is nothing more than the plural form of {jengva'}.
Children seem to be aware of the existence of the inherently plural forms,
however, for they use them as well, though usually with the suffix {-mey}
superfluously appended: {chamey} ('torpedoeses'), {ngopmey} ('plateses').
Inherently plural nouns are considered singular as far as how they fit into
the overall grammatical structure." (KGT 33)
Another example is {pengmey} "torpedoes all over the place" from TKD.
Trek trivia:
The Ekosians fired an "unmanned reaction-powered probe" with a
thermonuclear warhead at the Enterprise. (TOS "Patterns of Force")
The IKV Somraw was equipped with photon torpedoes (pu'DaH dak cha), which
Enterprise armaments officer Reed had never heard of in 2151. (ENT
"Sleeping Dogs")
Cf. {'otlh peng} "photon torpedo"
'otlh peng Qeq
He aims the photon torpedo. PK
'otlh peng Qeqchu'
He aims the photon torpedo perfectly. PK
cf. also {peng baHjan} "torpedo launcher" (device):
peng baHjan tuj ghImwI'
heat exhaust for torpedo launcher (KBoP)
'otlh peng baHjan
photon torpedo launcher (KBoP)
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons