tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Mar 29 07:13:57 2004

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Re: tetlhvamDaq Hoch nuvpu' /everyone on this list

Shamammd ([email protected]) 

In a message dated 3/29/2004 8:01:39 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
[email protected] writes:I don't speak another language, but I do know quite a
few phrases in Spanish, and I have been told I have an
excellent accent in it (by a Puerto Rican friend in
New York and a Mexican-American friend in San Jose). 
I understand wanting to get it right, but I think that
most non-native speakers, even people who
conscientiously attempt "authentic" accents, will have
traces of their own accent within speech.  I don't
think it is possible not to have some slips now and
then.  
I was attempting to explain perhaps only one reason
why tlhingan-hol speakers may sound different.  After
all, most people who attempt to speak Klingon are not
actors, and they do not have a vested interest in
"speaking like a Klingon".  

I think it is great that you came across tlhingan-Hol
outside Star Trek fandom, but I have been a Trekkie
since I was six and cannot imagine knowing nothing
about Klingons and trying to learn "their" language. 
I would suggest that to know something about the
character of these fictional beings could help a
learner immensely in the emotional understanding of
speaking "the Warrior's tongue".

As much as I love the language, I think "cultural"
knowledge is important too.  That is why I am
attempting to accumulate a database of Klingon
information on my site, the Klingon Cultural
Institute.  Language is SO important, but a cultural
frame of reference is always a good thing to have.

(And yes, the name of my site was inspired by the
Klingon Language Institute, thank you Dr. Speers).

qon captainkalaa

____________________________________________
<even people who
conscientiously attempt "authentic" accents, will have
traces of their own accent within speech>

Yes, if it begins and REMAINS  a conscious attempt. The idea is to begin this 
way and let time do the rest. I could give you a list longer than you would 
care to read of names of people I know who have lost all traces of their native 
accent over the years. This takes place mostly when you immerse yourself 
completely  within the society where the language you learn is spoken. It helps to 
live somewhere where your native language is not spoken at all.
This happens also when you learn a language at a very young age. For 
instance, I have friends who have moved here from Pakistan. When they moved here, they 
already had 3 children, ranging from the ages of 2 years to 8 years old. This 
was 25 years ago. These children have grown up in Indiana and have absolutely 
no traces of an Urdu accent whatsoever. They are completely americanized. lol 
Obviously this aspect presents an even greater challenge to me. Not only 
because of my (advanced) lol  age, but because being fictional characters, I can't 
go live among them. ghuy'cha'! Do'Ha'qu'. lol

<After all, most people who attempt to speak Klingon are not
actors, and they do not have a vested interest in
"speaking like a Klingon". >

You said it. <Most people. > I am not most people. :) 

< I would suggest that to know something about the
character of these fictional beings could help a
learner immensely in the emotional understanding of
speaking "the Warrior's tongue".>

jIQochbe'qa'. ! Again, I have spent hours and hours seeking out this 
information and more hours analyzing these characteristics. (cause and effect) Whether 
this be a virtue or a fault, I have an extremely analyIitical mind. I have 
discovered that on some levels I can relate to them and it intensely fascinates 
me. Then again, on other levels, their behavior and attitude towards certain 
situations and events boggles my mind. (possibly due to the lack of necessary 
info) It has also become rather obvious to me that the language was built 
around the people and their customs and that makes it more like a native language 
than a constructed one. Good thing too, as it makes it more realistic than it 
would be had it been done in reverse order. Another thing that totally 
fascinates me about this language is that not only am I learning another language 
(something I love to do) I also... hmmmmm.... how can I put this.....I will get to 
observe on a conscious level of how this language will evolve and adapt to 
the needs of the people who speak it over time. This happens in all languages ( 
I am speaking about native languages, since my knowledge of conlangs is very 
limited) but we are not usually consciously aware of it taking place. You can 
bet that I will be paying very close attention to this aspect of it.

reH taHjaj tlhIngan Hol

weQqul
bIjatlhnISchugh, tlhIngan Hol yIjatlh!
HovpoH 701348.1
Stardate 4242.6

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