tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Jun 09 12:56:36 2014

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Re: [Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: poS

Steven Boozer ([email protected])



In English we also say "closed fist".  Is this the opposite of an "open hand"?

--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robyn Stewart [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: Monday, June 09, 2014 2:50 PM
> 
> The word "open" appears only in the English translation, so while it is
> quite informative on the subject of the Klingon attitude towards an open
> hand, and may address quljIb's thought, it doesn't give any information
> on whether that hand can be considered poS.
> 
> - Qov
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Steven Boozer [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: June 9, 2014 13:16
> 
> quljIb
> >> If {poS} can mean both "be open" and "left side" then it might make
> >> sense for Klingons to extend an open, left hand, his {ghIt poS}, so
> >> that he can still retain a grip on a weapon if needed.
> 
> Unless most Klingons are left-handed.
> 
> Qov:
> > Meanwhile I'm not sure what it would mean to a Klingon to have an
> "open"
> > hand.
> 
> There's a common simile which is informative:
> 
>   yuDHa'; ghIt rur
>   honest as an open hand KGT
>   honest as an ax head KGT
> 
> {ghIt} reminds Klingons of axes:
> 
> KGT 63:  The general term for ax is {'obmaQ}. Its handle is its {DeS} and
> its blade is its {ghIt}. These words, {DeS} and {ghIt}, when referring to
> humanoid anatomy, mean "arm" and "open, flat hand" (as opposed to a fist
> [{ro'}]), respectively, suggesting that at one time the ax was considered
> an extension of the warrior himself.
> 
> Note BTW that {ghIt} "open, flat hand" is not the same as {toch} "palm
> (of hand)".  Some more hand imagery in Klingon:
> 
> KGT 69:  To challenge one to a duel to the death, one hits one's
> adversary with the back of the hand ({chap}). If one is hitting someone
> for some other reason, such as simple enjoyment, one uses the fist
> ({ro'}).
> 
> {ro'lIj HI'ang} "Show me your fist!" is "an idiomatic expression used to
> challenge someone to take action in a manner consistent with something he
> or she has just said." (Cf. KGT 195.)
> 
> 
> --
> Voragh
> Ca'Non Master of the Klingons


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