tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Oct 03 08:05:07 2005
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
Re: Klingon WOTD: noH (verb)
>>Klingon word: noH
>>Part of Speech: verb
>>Definition: judge, estimate
lay'tel SIvten:
> > I could find only one instance of this verb in use:
> >
> > chorghSaD qelI'qam HIvchuq 'e' vInoH.
> > Vixis: Estimating attack range in 8,000 kellicams.
> > [discussed in HQ v8n4p12 (referring to ST5: Scene 122)]
Quvar:
>Okay, this is "discussed", but is it canon?
>It does not follow grammar [but maybe that's what was discussed there? I
>don't have my HolQeD by hand]
>
>It says literally "I estimate that 8,000 kellicams"
>What I mean is that (TKD): "Klingon has two special pronouns, {'e'} and
>{net,} which refer to the previous sentence as a whole."
>
>{chorghSaD qelI'qam HIvchuq} is not a sentence, but a noun.
lay'tel SIvten:
> >I don't see why you say it's a noun. I'm unclear about how {chorghSaD
> >qelI'qam} fits in the sentence, but {HIvchuq} is just "(he/she/it/they)
> attack each
> >other".
ter'eS:
>>>In this case, I think the word is actually made
>>>from {HIv} "attack" + {chuq} "range, distance".
>>>KGT has {HIvDuj}, so using {HIv} this way isn't
>>>entirely unknown. I don't know if {HIvchuq}
>>>appears anywhere except the movie, though.
>>>
>>>So, if {HIvchuq} is (like {HIVDuj}) a noun, then
>>>the criticism is valid.
In my notes I have {HIvchuq} as a noun meaning "attack range" (i.e. firing
range) with the comment "Attack range for a B'rel-class BoP is
approximately 1500 kellicams (ST3)". Which means that Klaa's BoP is 9500
kellicams away from Kirk's shuttlecraft at this point. {HIvchuq}
complements the noun {HIvHe} "attack course", also from ST5:
HIvHe yIchoHmoH!
Alter the attack course! ST5
Solution 1:
I don't have HolQeD with me, but do we know that this is really the
relative pronoun {'e'} and not the topic suffix {-'e'}:
chorghSaD qelI'qam HIvchuq'e' vInoH.
"I estimate an 8000 kellicam attack range."
"I estimate an attack range of 8000 kellicams."
"As for the 8000 kellicam attack range, I estimate it."
This is nice in that it gives the number first - which is what the captain
wants to know - and then makes a comment about it (i.e. it's an estimated,
not an exact figure).
Solution 2:
chorghSaD qelI'qam HIvchuq. 'e' vInoH.
"8000 kellicam attack range. I estimate that (it is)."
"Attack range 8000 kellicams... I estimate."
Who said that Klingons only speak in complete, perfectly grammatical
sentences? We don't. Perhaps this is Okrand's version of the military
style of "Estimating attack range in 8000 kellicams." Note that even in
English this is an abbreviated version of "I estimate that we'll be in
attack range in another 8,000 kellicams" -- i.e. they have to be 8000
kellicams closer before they can fire with any hope of hitting the target.
FYI: Here's my transcript of the Klingon lines from that scene (with the
subtitles):
VIXIS: chorghSaD qelI'qam HIvchuq 'e' vInoH.
(Estimating attack range in 8,000 kellicams.)
KLAA: ghoSmeH yIpegh. cha'maHvagh vatlhvI' Hong; QIt yIghoS.
(Stealth approach. Slow to one-quarter impulse power.)
KLAA: yISo'rup. So'wI' yIchu'!
(Prepare to cloak. Engage cloaking device.)
KLAA: qIrq. DujHomDaq ghaHtaH!
(Kirk! He's on the shuttlecraft!)
KLAA: HIvHe yIchoHmoH!
(Alter the attack course!)
KLAA: yISo'Ha'rup, yIghuS.
(Stand by to de-cloak for firing.)
KLAA: 'entepray' yIghoS.
(Bear on Enterprise.)
VIXIX: 'entepray' 'oH DoS'e'
(Enterprise targeted!)
KLAA: vIbaH!
(Firing!)
KLAA: HeDaj yIqIm!
(Track her course!)
I don't see any Clipping of the prefixes, but this is a series of short,
pithy commands. When I was in the Navy, I was told over and over again
that in combat the idea is K.I.S.S. ("Keep It Simple, Stupid!"). You want
instant obedience with no chance of misunderstanding and as little
distracting verbiage as possible.
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons