tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Dec 27 09:27:19 1999
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Re: Klingon WOTD: qarDaSngan (n)
Tom West wrote:
: How would you translate the name for their planet
: Cardassia Prime? Would it be qarDaSya prIm?
"Prime" is an English word, short for primary. If this is actually how the
Cardassians (and others) refer to their homeworld I would translate it, not
transcribe it, and say {qarDaS wa'DIch} or {qarDaS wa'}. You might also be
able to get away with {qarDaS'a'} in context, but I prefer the {wa'DIch} form.
Okrand lists {qarDaS} "Cardassia" in KGT. IIRC he doesn't give *{qarDaSya'},
but does say that the old-fashioned {-ya'} form of planet names such as
{DenIbya'} Denebia and {'orghenya'} Organia are being replaced in "current"
(i.e. 24th century) Klingon usage by the shorter and more Klingon-sounding
{DenIb} and {'orghen}.
OTOH, he also lists {Sorya'} Sauria in KGT -- as in {Sorya' HIq} "Saurian
brandy". Perhaps because the short form {Sor} also means "tree", it isn't
used. (Hmm... *{Sor HIq} "wood alcohol"?)
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons