tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Mon Dec 24 10:14:52 2007
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Re: How does one say Merry Christmas?
Steven Boozer wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
>> How does one say Merry Christmas?
>
> On this list, Christmas is usually transcribe *{QISmaS}, though some people
> prefer *{toDwI'ma' qoS} "our savior's birthday". Holiday and birthday
> greetings are usually given using the verb {tIv} "enjoy".
>
> So, the imperative form is:
>
> QISmas yItIv!
> Enjoy Christmas! [to one person or a group of people]
>
> Stated less aggressively as a desire or wish, use {-jaj}:
>
> QISmas DatIvjaj
> may you (sg.) enjoy Christmas [to one person]
>
> QISmas botIvjaj
> may you (pl.) enjoy Christmas [to a group]
>
> If you're a Christian speaking to other Christians, you might prefer to say:
>
> toDwI'ma' qoS DatIvjaj
> may you (sg.) enjoy Our Savior's birthday
>
> but if you're a non-Christian speaking to Christians, this becomes:
>
> toDwI'lI' qoS DatIvjaj
> may you (sg.) enjoy your (sg.) savior's birthday [to one person]
>
> toDwI'ra' qoS botIvjaj
> may you (pl.) enjoy your (pl.) savior's birthday [to a group]
>
> You can always add {-qu'} "emphatic" (mutatis mutandem):
>
> QISmas DatIvqu'jaj!
> may you (sg.) really enjoy Christmas
> (i.e. Have a very merry Christmas!)
>
> In these politically correct times, you can choose the multiculturally
> non-specific:
>
> yupma'(mey) tItIv!
> Enjoy the festivals! (i.e. Happy holidays! [pl.])
>
> yupma'lIj DatIvjaj
> may you (sg.) enjoy your (sg.) festival! [to one person]
>
> yupma'raj botIvjaj
> may you (pl.) enjoy your (pl.) festival! [to a group]
>
> Other options include substituting the noun {lop} "celebration" and/or
> using the verb {lop} "observe, celebrate (a ritual)". E.g.:
>
> QISmas Dalopchu'jaj!
> May you (sg.) celebrate Christmas well!
> (i.e. Have a nice Christmas!)
>
> etc...
>
> Personally, I always go with the all-purpose:
>
> yupma'lIj yItIv!
> Enjoy your festival/holiday!
Voragh, Voragh, Voragh. How could you give such bad advice? Don't you
know the TRADITIONAL answer to this question?
You walk up to a Klingon, hold out your arms and smile, and say
confidently, DaH HIHoH! Your new Klingon acquaintance will be most pleased.
SuStel
Stardate 7980.1
--
Practice the Klingon language on the tlhIngan Hol MUSH.
http://trimboli.name/klingon/mush.html