tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Mar 12 08:21:58 2007
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Re: Klingon WOTD: tlham (noun)
>This is the Klingon Word Of The Day for Monday, March 12, 2007.
>
>Klingon word: tlham
>Part of Speech: noun
>Definition: gravity
tlham chu'Ha'lu' (?)
We've lost gravity! ST6
Duj tlham chu'qa' (?)
Restoring auxiliary gravity. ST6
>Homonyms:
> tlham (noun) - order, structure (societal) (slang)
The word {tlham}, literally meaning "gravity", is used to mean "order"
or "structure" in the sense of an ordered or well-structured society.
In the same way that gravity holds one to a planet (or, in the case of
artificial gravity, to the floor of a space vessel), the structure of
a society holds its members in, preventing them from going off in all
directions. In other words, it ensures that a society function properly
by keeping it from coming apart. The word is used in phrases such as
{tlham ghaj} ("have gravity"--that is, "have structure, order") or
{tlham Hutlh} ("lack gravity" or "lack structure, order"). A very well
ordered society may be said to have {tlham'a'} ("big gravity") or {tlham
HoS} ("strong gravity"), while a society that is judged to be falling
apart may have {tlhamHom} ("little gravity") or {tlham puj} ("weak
gravity"). (KGT 165)
This phrase [{qutluch patlh}] means "hierarchical structure" ... To
determine one's place in Klingon society or to understand who has
authority over whom, one must be aware of the {qutluch patlh} of the
military, the government, the house with which one is associated,
and so on. (KGT 110-11)
The Klingon military, of course, has a hierarchical structure of its
own, with ranks and areas of authority spelled out explicitly. Various
fleets and squadrons are loyal to various houses, though, as might be
expected, the details of these alliances are subject to change.
(KGT 38)
Although you never know when it comes to idioms, I suspect the phrases
{tlham ghaj} "have gravity", {tlham Hutlh} "lack gravity", {tlham'a' "big
gravity"/{tlham HoS} "strong gravity" and {tlhamHom} "little
gravity"/{tlham puj} "weak gravity" are also descriptively - i.e. WRT the
gravity of a planet.
Related nouns:
{nugh} society; {tayqeq} civilization; {tIgh} custom
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons