tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Sun Jan 09 18:49:13 2000

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Re: language vs. culture (was Re: Teaching Klingon)



jIja'pu':
>...I'm using a language, not immersing myself in a culture...

ja' S'Qal:
>are the two necessarily mutually exclusive?

They can't be completely separated, that much is clear.  I've decided
that the Safir-Worf hypothesis (in a nutshell, language influences the
way one thinks) has a lot going for it. :-)  And since so many of the
folks who speak Klingon well *do* enjoy the roleplaying and "dress up"
aspects, some of it necessarily rubs off as I'm in their company.  But
in the end, my goals here are not at all influenced by the way Klingons
are portrayed in the Star Trek universe.

>you make it sound like you'd be
>willing to eat gagh, so long as it was dead.

Funny you should mention that. :-)  I will avoid live food to the best
of my ability, but I do partake in tbe {qagh ngeb} that is sometimes
served as an appetizer at qep'a' banquets.  And that's not because it
makes the experience any more "Klingon" for me.  I do it because it's
part of the real Klingon *language* community's customs, and because
to refuse would be antisocial.  The "cultural" aspects that I go along
with are defined by interactions between real people, not the scripted
on-screen portrayals of a fictional race.

I have twice worn a rubber forehead in order to enhance a presentation
during an evening of entertainment at qep'a'.  It is not particularly
exciting for me, though I am slowly coming to appreciate how dressing
as a Star Trek alien can help bring publicity -- and, more importantly,
potential members -- to the group.

-- ghunchu'wI' 'utlh




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