tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Fri Feb 18 01:04:42 1994
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
Winter Klingon Language Camp - a report
Winter Klingon Language Camp
----------------------------
Surprisingly, it was not my idea to go to the Winter Klingon Language
Camp offered by the St. Paul Community Education program. I knew about
it, but forgot, until my wife, who carefully reads the schedule
every time it comes (she believes, and is correct, that ANYTHING
can be taught in community ed.) Forgetting that she often
regrets encouraging my odd interests, she pointed it out, and I
and a like-minded colleague from work, signed up.
This class was offered by Glen Proechel, and was based on material
he is developing for a basic curriculum in tlhingan-Hol.
I cannot praise the class and teacher highly enough! It was
one of the most fun, and enjoyable things I've done for a long time!
Glen presented us with language elements, grammar, and exercises
where we learned to use the warrior's language. In addition, we
got to think about how 'language' works, and how klingon reflects
terrestrial languages. As an instructor, Glen was
thoughtful, careful and precise. Giving us the language
in appropriate stages, building on vocabulary and grammar he
guided us patiently through a great course. I believe the
students (around twenty of us) were unanimous in requesting that
he come back for an advanced class in the fall. I wish that over
my own academic career, from kindergarten to graduate school, I'd
had more teachers like Glen!
Before the class I was a bit defensive about the language and studying it,
but after, well *now* I don't see why anyone would question it. Studying
Klingon (like studying any languages) increased my understanding of English
and how languages in general work. Glen gave us a great deal
of insight into the language, and also gave us a lot of terrestrial
linguistic tidbits - speculating on from where this word or that rule
used by Marc Okrand might have come.
I have had the dictionary, and paid some attention to the net-gabble about
Klingon, for some time - but having a real live class where
Klingon was presented as a living language (well - it *IS*;
just being artificial doesn't mean it isn't REAL or living) has got to be
the best way to pursue this. If you get the chance to attend a
class like this I can only say: yIruchqu'! {*DO it!*}
__-, ___ _________
__(__)|___ _______/ |________|
`----------|_______________---/ `----_____|___
( ___+-----------------<---------_____________-----_
`----- `-----------' | +---_/
____/__/___/_____
| ====== ||
|_________________||
[email protected] | Apertus Technologies | GEnie:j.anderson71
<NOTE: My schedule prevents me from being on the list for the next week
or so. If you've got any feedback you want me to see send it to
the email address above. Qatlho'! yIrojqu'!>