Re: my thesis

[KIRNEH <Kirneh@cris.com>]

On Sun, 3 Jan 1999, Judith Hermans wrote:

> Hello,
> my name is Judith Hermans and I am in my last year at university. I'm
> writing my thesis and the subject is Klingon and it's speakers!

Welcome to the list, Ms. Hermans!  I wish you Qapla' (success) on this
worthy project! :>
I'm more a student of the culture (why things are said certain ways in 
Klingon) than the language itself, but I'll assist where I can. :>

> Now I'm first collecting all kinds of literature about language variation
> and artificial languages, 

Good idea. :>

but in a few months I want to conduct a survey
> under Klingon-speakers. My teachers thinks my subject stinks and he is very
> sceptic. He thinks that I won't find any people who speak Klingon and even
> if I find some, that they won't cooperate. Is he wrong?

Of course he is wrong!  Just because someone invents a language doesn't
mean it's not valid-- *all* languages were invented at some point!
Will you need someone to come to the class and... *convince* him of his
mistaken ideas? :>


> 
> If there are people among you who will want to help me and answer a survey
> in a few months (questions about Klingon and about yourself, because I want
> to get a profile from Klingon-speakers), please send me a mail.
> 

Send it on! :>

> Thanks a lot!

I am honored to be of assistance.

> 
> 
> PS. I have just started, so maybe I haven't looked well enough, but I have
> some trouble finding literature about the language Klingon itself. Not a
> grammarian or a dictionary, because I have those at home (yes, I'm a Star
> Trek fan), but something linguistic. Can someone help me with this or are
> there any linguistics reading this mail willing to answer some questions?
>
  
I'd suggest raiding the Klingon Language Institute site
(http://www.kli.org). It's perhaps the most comprehensive online resource
and will undoubtedly be a huge help to you.

	--da laffin tlhIngan :>