tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Wed Sep 15 07:52:07 2004

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just use it! (Re: jIb

MorphemeAddict ([email protected]) [KLI Member] [Hol taghwI']

In a message dated 2004-09-15 10:20:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
[email protected] writes:

> if you want to talk about a single strand of 
> hair, go ahead and use {wa' jIb}. If anyone has objections, they will raise 
> them, then you know that {wa' jIb} doesn't work for communicating the idea 
> of a single strand. The only way to learn Klingon is to use it. Did you 
> learn how to use a computer by cataloging each and every feature? Or did you 
> sit down in front of one and start typing?
> 
> [pause for answer]
> 
> Exactly....
> 
> If you are trying to document *everything* about the language, you are going 
> to drive yourself nuts, and learn nothing in the process. We don't know that 
> much about this language, so use it as *you* are comfortable using it. Write 
> a letter in Klingon, compose a story, translate some sentences and post them 
> to KLBC. If you screw up, you will be told about it. Promise. And you'll get 
> a much better feel for the language than all the analysis in the world can 
> give you.
> 
> Now, let's see some Klingon... }}: )
> 
> --ngabwI'
> 
My impression is that this is a minor slam against the cumulative effect of 
several months of my posts.  In any case, that's how I'm taking it.  
/begin rant/ In case you haven't noticed, I have been posting in Klingon, 
whenever I feel that the effort is worth it.  I do use Klingon a lot more than is 
evident from this list.  I read whatever Klingon I can find, especially 
*non*canon, because there is so much more of it.  This is also one reason I've been 
slogging my way through the archive. 

However, I am coming to realize that many of the questions I have are 
pointless to ask, because the canon-based answer is "maSovbe'".  But I want to know 
how other Klingon speakers use the language, not just what the canon use is.  
Your answer about {wa' jIb} being the exception, most of the fluent speakers 
here resist giving their take on a word.  They don't like answering "how do you 
say...?".   It's frustrating.  I feel like I have to invent the wheel over and 
over again, in the process wasting a lot of time.  I had already come to the 
same conclusion that you suggested:  just use the language; say what I want, 
how I want, and leave it up to the listener to decide if it's unclear or not.  
In other words, anything goes, *until* you ask about it.  Then it's "Oh, no, 
that's not supported by canon."  There's a huge amount of noncanon text 
(compared to the amount of canon text).  I still haven't figured out why so little 
attention is paid to it./end rant/

lay'tel SIvten

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