tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Fri Jan 11 07:17:30 2013
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Re: [Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: vIttlhegh
> Klingon Word of the Day for Friday, January 11, 2013
>
> Klingon word: vIttlhegh
> Part of speech: noun
> Definition: proverb
As used in canon:
pegh vIttlhegh
a proverb keeps things secret (HQ 5.1)
HQ 5.1: It has long been known that proverbs play a significant role in Klingon culture. They are cited not only to impart the wisdom of Klingon society, but their correct usage--at least in the case of so-called replacement proverbs--is sometimes the only way to regain honor following an unfortunate situation... The usual term for proverb is {vIttlhegh}, literally "truth rope" and formed, no doubt, by analogy with {mu'tlhegh} "sentence" or, literally, "word rope".
TKW vii, ix: A society's values are often encapsulated in its repertoire of proverbs or maxims, common statements of fundamental truths that are applicable to many situations. Such expressions are well known by the members of the society. They are often short and are frequently (some might say too frequently) uttered. They give advice generally accepted to be worth heeding... Indeed, many Klingon proverbs are commands, a telling fact in its own right.
{peghmey vIttlhegh} secrecy proverb (lit. "secrets' proverb" or "proverb of secrets")
HQ 5.1: Infrequently the singular {pegh} "secret" (rather than the plural {peghmey}) is heard, shortening the construction to {pegh vIttlhegh}. Since {pegh} is also a verb (meaning "keep something secret"), {pegh vIttlhegh} can also be interpreted as a sentence meaning something like "a proverb keeps things secret", that is, it withholds information rather than being a ready source of answers. To some Klingons, this is a most insightful coincidence.
{qa'meH vIttlhegh} replacement proverb
HQ 5.1: This is the only way to say replacement proverb currently, but in the past, the common term was the lengthier {quvqa'meH vIttlhegh}, literally, "proverb for (the purpose of) being honored again". The word {qa'meH}, clearly a shortened form of {quvqa'meH}, was originally used only in the construction of {qa'meH vIttlhegh}, but, though historically two verb suffixes, it has become accepted as a noun in its own right, meaning replacement in the sense of something that takes over for or is used instead of something that is gone or that has been lost. It is not used for a temporary substitute or a stand-in; the word for that is {lIw}.
--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons
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