tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Wed Jan 19 07:20:38 2005
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Re: Klingon WOTD: qat (verb)
> >This is the Klingon Word Of The Day for Wednesday, January 19, 2005.
> >
> >Klingon word: qat
> >Part of Speech: verb
> >Definition: wrap, encase
> >
> >Additional Notes:
> >Missing from EK side of TKD. KGT adds the meaning of "encase."
Never used in canon.
Cf. also {'uch} "hold, grasp", {ngaS} "contain" and {pID} "coat (food) with
herbed mixture".
> >Homonyms:
> > qat (verb) - accompany (singing) with instrumental music
Ian:
>Is this truly a homonym, or is it a more specific application (i.e., the
>instrumental music encases the singing) ?
Despite the variety and sophistication of Klingon musical
instruments, most Klingon music is vocal, with or without
instrumental accompaniment. When there is an instrumental
component, the players are said to {qat} the song. The verb
{qat} literally means "wrap, encase", the imagery apparently
being that the instrumentation adds the final, though not
absolutely necessary, touches. (KGT 76)
The drinking songs [{HIvje' bom}] are always sung loudly
(this would probably be described by using the term {pe'vIl}
["forcefully"]), seldom with instrumental accompaniment,
and they tend to be rather lengthy ({nI'}) and, from a
non-Klingon perspective, repetitive. (KGT 78)
Ian's right, it's just an idiomatic application of {qat} - much like its
English equivalent "accompany". Holtej probably just has the various
meanings listed in separate entries in his dictionary, as I do.
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons