tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Wed Oct 03 07:36:18 2007
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Re: Klingon Inquiry
Alex Martinuik asks:
>>My name is Alex Martinuik, and I am currently working on a design for a Star
>>Trek Tattoo. (I went to the convention in Vegas this summer, and it has
>>inspired me to become a better person, and I want to remember that forever)
>>Embossed over the tattoo, I would like the phrase "For a better world",
>>however I would like the phrase to be in Klingon.
Qov:
> >I'm looking at qo' nIvvaD - [intended] for a superior world,
> >or DubmeH qo' - in order that the world improve[s]
> >qo' vIDubmoHmeH - So that I may improve the world
QeS:
>We only have two canon instances of {Dub} "improve", both from the SkyBox
>cards (one on SB14 and one on SB26), and both show that the word means
>"improve" in its transitive sense, or "to cause to become better" (rather
>than "improve" in the intransitive sense, which is "to become better").
These examples are:
SuvwI' vI' Dub naQvam 'ej ray' HopDaq bachlu'meH chuqna' ghurmoH naQvam
This serves to steady the aim of a warrior and increase the effective
range for distance targeting. S14
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
Okrand also discussed {Dub} in passing on startrek.klingon (10/20/1998):
The verb {rach} has been translated variously as "invigorate", "fortify",
and "strengthen" ... When used in reference to a person, the verb {rach}
suggests an improvement in health; when used in reference to an inanimate
object, say, a mechanical device or the hull of a ship, {rach} also implies
improvement or betterment.
{rach} is to be distinguished from {tI'} "repair" in two ways: (1) {tI'}
is generally not applied to living beings; (2) {tI'} suggests restoration
to a previous state, not necessarily improvement.
{rach} is also to be distinguished from {Dub} "improve", which seems to
be used primarily when what is being enhanced is of a more abstract nature
(as when one improves or increases one's status, skill, understanding,
etc.).
>This being the case, the latter two should be {qo' Dublu'meH} and {qo'
>vIDubmeH}.
{qo' Dublu'meH} "in order for the world to be improved, so that the world
is improved"
{qo' vIDubmeH} "in order that I improve the world, in order for me to
improve the world"
If I were having a phrase tattooed on my body, I would prefer the simpler -
not to mention shorter! - {qo' DubmeH} "(in order) to improve the world".
>I have no problem with {qo' nIvvaD}.
Other verbs to consider include {choH} "change" and {qaq} "be better, be
preferable". E.g.
{qo' choHmeH} "(in order) to change the world"
{qo' vIchoHmeH} "in order that I change the world"
{qo' qaqvaD} "(intended) for a better/preferable world"
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons