tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Thu Jun 28 08:08:36 2007
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Re: Klingon WOTD: patlh (noun)
>This is the Klingon Word Of The Day for Thursday, June 28, 2007.
>
>Klingon word: patlh
>Part of Speech: noun
>Definition: rank (military, governmental), level, layer, standing
>
>Additional Notes:
>KGT adds the meaning of "level, layer, standing"
Used in canon:
qaSDI' nenghep, qa' patlh chu' chav tlhIngan SuvwI'
The Age of Ascension marks a new level of spiritual attainment by a
Klingon warrior. (S9)
DuraS tuq tlhIngan yejquv patlh luDub 'e' reH lunIDtaH DuraS
be'nI'pu' lurSa' be'etor je.
The sisters of the House of Duras, Lursa and B'Etor, are constantly
seeking a higher standing for the House of Duras within the Klingon
High Council. (S26)
SuvwI' qa' patlh veb chavlaHmeH tlhIngan lo'chu' chaH. toDujDaj toblu'
[They] use the devices [painstiks] to inflict pain in a manner which
will allow the Klingon to attain a higher state of spirituality as a
warrior, proving his mettle. (S32)
Hung buv rav: patlh Hut
classified level 9 and above (KBoP)
Cultural notes:
"Klingon society is a stratified one. That is, there are clear distinctions
between those with great wealth and influence and those with little or
none. This sort of status is a matter of inheritance." (KGT 36)
"If someone has an official title, such as a military rank or a position in
the government, this title follows the name; for example, {martaq Sa'}
(General Martok), {ghawran Qang} (Chancellor Gowron). When addressing such
a person, the title is left off only when the occasion is decidedly
nonofficial." (KGT 197f)
"The Klingon military, of course, has a hierarchical structure of its own,
with ranks and areas of authority spelled out explicitly. Various fleets
and squadrons are loyal to various houses, though, as might be expected,
the details of these alliances are subject to change. Within the Klingon
Defense Force ({tlhIngan Hubbeq}), which includes the entire Klingon
military apparatus, the highest officers tend to be members of influential
houses, particularly the members of the ultimate military authority, the
High Command ({ra'ghomquv}). It is possible, however, for anyone to rise to
higher ranks in the military and, thereby, higher levels in society in
general, through particularly heroic actions in combat." (KGT 38)
"The words used as titles to denote the rank (patlh) within the Klingon
Defense Force have caused a certain amount of confusion, largely because
the system does not neatly map onto that used by Starfleet... There are
nine ranks of officers ({yaSpu'}) serving under the {la'quv} [Supreme
Commander], and below them are the troops ({QaS}), including some with
titles." (KGT 52)
Cf. also {qutluch patlh} *kut'luch* rank:
"This phrase means 'hierarchical structure'. The *kut'luch* is a knife
associated with Klingon assassins, so the imagery is one of a list,
presumably in a specific order, of intended victims of the *kut'luch*. To
determine one's place in Klingon society or to understand who has authority
over whom, one must be aware of the {qutluch patlh} of the military, the
government, the house with which one is associated, and so on." (KGT 110-11)
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons