tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Tue Dec 26 08:42:28 2000
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Re: Klingon WOTD: HeS (n)
: Klingon word: HeS
: Part of Speech: noun
: Definition: crime
As used in canon:
HeSmo'
due to the crime (KGT)
Note the homophonous verb {HeS} "commit a crime" and the derived noun {HeSwI']
"criminal", neither of which are attested in canon.
Related vocabulary includes the interesting verb {yem} "sin", though what
exactly this means in Klingon terms is unclear. (As modern Klingon have no
gods, it cannot be a religious crime per se; at least, not in the 24th
century.) It's used in KCD; here's the scene as it appeared - including the
"Klingon" spelling - in the novelization (pp. 23f):
Then speaking to Pok, but looking directly into Vok's face,
[K'Tar] said, "Throw this {veQ} out."
Pok stood and moved toward Vok, reaching for the unwanted guest.
"{bIyem'a'}!" Vok said.
Pok stopped short of grabbing Vok...
"The celebration," Vok said, "was declared a {lop'no}. You have
invited the spirits of all our Klingon ancestors. Tradition dictates
that all are welcome to the {lop 'no}. Even ancient rivals. Even me,
K'Tar."
"{Chut Quj}," K'Tar said.
"{Luq ratlh}," Pok said, almost spitting his words at Vok.
Here {bIyem'a'} ("Do you sin?") seems to mean "Do you dare go against
tradition?" or "Do you dare do this dishonorable thing?" Presumably {yem} is a
moral/honor, rather than a legal/criminal, transgression: i.e. to act in a
blatantly dishonorable fashion with complete disregard for public opinion.
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons