qeyS wrote:
>Question: I'm writing a paper for a course on lexicography and the
>topic I've chosen is (rather daringly) which lexicographical
>conventions are/aren't applied to the TKD and which conventions
>still could be applied to the TKD in order to improve it (from a
>lexicographical perspective...)
Interesting topic. It should provoke some interesting discussion. I don't
have much time now, but I want to correct one small error right away.
>BUT, in the Dictionary part of the KGT are some compound nouns
>which are written WITH a space: "Dargh HIvje' ": teapot. This, I do
>not understand. The question I address to the list is the following:
{Dargh HIvje'} is "teacup" - but it can also mean, if you're a Russian, a
"tea glass". A "teapot" is a {runpI'}. Cf. _Klingon for the Galactic
Traveller_:
"Tea may be made either in a teapot ({runpI'}) or directly in the teacup
({Dargh HIvje'}, or, if not a cup specifically designed for drinking tea,
just {HIvje'})." (KGT p.96)
"Some drinks are served in special containers, such as the {runpI'}
(teapot) used in the making of {Dargh} (tea), and are then poured
into the appropriate {HIvje'}." (KGT p.99)
"Similarly, the common word for 'teacup' is {Dargh HIvje'} (literally,
'tea drinking vessel'). Among the upper classes, the word {tu'lum} is
used with some frequency, though, strictly speaking, this archaic word
used to mean only a cup made of metal." (KGT p.42)
As to how {HIvje'} "drinking vessel" works in compounds:
"A container from which drinks are consumed is a {HIvje'}. This word is
used for any sort of drinking vessel: glass, cup, mug, stein, goblet,
tumbler, and so on. If necessary, {HIvje'} can also be used to refer to
drinking vessels normally not associated with Klingon culture--for example,
crystal stemware. Since certain drinks are typically associated with
certain
containers, saying the type of drink plus {HIvje'} indicates the type of
cup or glass as well: {'Iw HIq HIvje'} ("bloodwine glass"), {qa'vIn HIvje'}
("coffee mug"), {baqghol HIvje'} ("bahgol cup"). Unless specified further,
{HIq HIvje'} ("liquor glass") usually means a tankard or stein for beer or
ale." (KGT p.98f)
Notice that "bloodwine" is written as one word in English, but as two words
- or "with a space" if you prefer - {'Iw HIq} in Klingon. Presumably,
{HIq} "alcoholic beverage" works the same way as {HIvje'}. Other types of
{HIq} compounds are {cha'vatlh ben HIq} Two Century Old Ale, {ghargh HIq}
worm wine, {reghuluS 'Iw HIq} Regulan bloodwine, {romuluS HIq} Romulan ale
and {Sorya' HIq} Saurian brandy.
On the other hand, there is {'Iwghargh} "bloodworm" - written as one word,
or "without a space", in both languages. So far, the only type of
bloodworm we know of is the Regulan bloodworm {reghuluS 'Iwghargh}. I
imagine what's going on here is that a {'Iwghargh} is sufficiently
different from a regular {ghargh} "worm" to be written as one word. To
further specify which kind of bloodworm you're talking about, you prefix
the place name: {reghuluS 'Iwghargh} "bloodworm of Regulus".
Now why this doesn't work with {HIq} vs. {'Iw HIq}, I've no idea. Perhaps
they're not seen as different enough as a type; i.e. you can't distinguish
the two at a glance.
I'll close now with a classic Klingon toast:
reH HIvje'lIjDaq 'Iwghargh Datu'jaj!
May you always find a bloodworm in your glass!
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons