tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Sat Jan 18 22:07:39 2003
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Re: Farpoint qepHom
- From: Alan Anderson <[email protected]>
- Subject: Re: Farpoint qepHom
- Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 23:14:05 -0500
qaStaHvIS cha' rep tlhIngan Hol Daghoj DaneHchugh, qepHomDaq yISaH.
qaStaHvIS cha' jaj tlhIngan Hol DajatlhtaH DaneHchugh, yotna'Daq ghomuv!
** First, a recap: What's this about?
Who: Lawrence, a bunch of grammarians, and YOU!
What: qepHom
When: Saturday, February 15, 2003; 7:00 pm
Where: Farpoint Science Fiction Media Convention
Marriottıs Hunt Valley Inn
Hunt Valley, MD (near Baltimore)
** Second, an explanation: What is Farpoint?
Farpoint is a "fan-run, fan-friendly" event, with more emphasis on fandom
than on "show". It takes place this year February 14-16, 2003. One of the
"Also Appearing" guests is Marc Okrand, creator of the Klingon language.
The organizers maintain a web site with further information, including a
long list of guests and costs for attending.
http://www.bcpl.net/~wilsonr/
One thing not yet posted on the site is the fact that there will be a pair
of panels run by members of the KLI on Saturday afternoon: "Meet the Klingon
Tourist" and "Klingon Cursing".
** Third, some background: Why is this special?
The qepHom is only a small part of what's going on that weekend. It takes
place in the context of a large science fiction convention, but it's also a
piece of something called <yotna'>.
Historically, with rare exception, the KLI's annual conference (qep'a') is
the only occasion where more than a couple of people who speak Klingon well
get together. Because qep'a' is intended to be enjoyed by all, no matter
what their level of skill with the language, beginners are welcomed,
encouraged and accommodated. A few years ago, this started to lead to some
frustration among the highly-skilled speakers, who felt they could not
afford to alienate the beginners by speaking only Klingon during much of
qep'a'. The solution to this was to choose an occasion for such speakers
to meet for the express purpose of speaking Klingon among themselves. The
2002 Farpoint Convention was a convenient excuse, and the <yotna'> was
born. The name comes from our intent to "invade" the convention and just
speak Klingon as a matter of course. (We did relax the language standards
for the qepHom, where we managed to wow a bunch of people who hadn't
realized how exciting Klingon as a real language could be.)
It worked so well that it's happening again this year. Last year was by
invitation only, with the group kept exclusive. This time the invitation
is going out in general, with explicit warnings that it's for people
confident about their ability to speak Klingon for an extended period of
time.
** Next, the invitation: Do you want to join us?
If you wish to be a part of an intense immersion in the Klingon language,
there's still space available in the Klingon-only section of the hotel.
Seriously, a pair of adjoining rooms have been reserved, with plenty of
unclaimed floor; at least one other room is also looking for
Klingon-speaking people to share the cost. If you want to be such a
roommate, contact [email protected] to be put in touch with the ones paying for
the rooms.
** Finally, a warning: Are you ready?
Beginners will be welcomed, but they will *not* be coddled outside the
qepHom. If you don't want to be surrounded by people unafraid to leave you
behind if you can't keep up, you probably don't want to participate in the
<yotna'> proper.
But even if you decide you're not up to the challenge of an entire weekend
filled with Klingon-only conversation, you should still come to the qepHom.
There you'll be treated with friendship and encouragement, with plenty of
people able -- and willing -- to give you a hand. (Incidentally, the rest
of the convention is likely to be enjoyable as well.)
--
Alan Anderson, professional programmer and amateur Klingonist
qepHom coordinator for the Klingon Language Institute
qo'mey poSmoH Hol -- language opens worlds -- /