tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Jul 22 14:15:48 2002
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Re: Klingon WOTD: jaj (n)
> >Klingon word: jaj
> >Part of Speech: noun
> >Definition: day
> >
> >Opposite of {ram}.
ghuchu'wI':
>Not true.
>
>jaj (n) day (from dawn to dawn)
>pem (n) daytime
>ram (n) night
>
>{jaj} is a period which includes both {pem} and {ram).
Cf. the idiom in KGT {wa'maH cha' pemmey wa'maH cha' rammey je} "twelve
days and twelve nights" (i.e. "a long time"):
"This is a rather long-winded way to say 'a long time' (which would be {poH
nI'} in nonidiomatic speech). It implies a bit more than that, however, for
it is used to mean not only that the length of an event is long but also
that the event is an important one, worthy of taking up so much time. The
expression comes from the well-known story of Kahless the Unforgettable,
the founder of the Klingon Empire, and his brother, Morath, who fought for
the fabled 'twelve days and twelve nights' because Morath had broken his
word an brought shame to the family. The word used for 'days,' {pemmey}, is
the plural form of {pem} ('day, daytime'), a word referring to the part of
the day when it is light out (as opposed to {ram} ['night']). Another word,
jaj ('day') refers to the full period from dawn to dawn." (KGT p.121)
Okrand also discussed {pem} on startrek.klingon (6/97):
"In Klingon, you could even say {DaHjaj pem} 'today's daytime', which would
probably be typically contrasted with {DaHjaj ram} 'today's night' (or
'tonight')."
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons