0. Introduction - Start Here
3 Nouns
3.1 Simple Nouns
3.2 Complex Nouns
3.2.1 Compound Nouns
3.2.2 Verb plus -wI'/-ghach
3.2.3 Other complex nouns
3.3 Noun suffixes
3.3.1 Type 1: Augmentative, diminutive
3.3.2 Type 2: Number
3.3.3 Type 3: Qualification
3.3.4 Type 4: Possession/specification
3.3.5 Type 5: Syntactic markers
3.4 The noun-noun construction
3.5 Emphasizing Nouns
4 Verbs
4.1 Pronominal prefixes
4.2.1 Type 1: Oneself/one another
4.2.2 Type 2: Volition/predisposition
4.2.3 Type 3: Change/Resume
4.2.4 Type 4: Cause
4.2.5 Type 5: Indefinite subject/ability
4.2.6 Type 6: Qualification
4.2.7 Type 7: Aspect
4.2.8 Type 8: Honorific
4.2.9 Type 9: Syntactic markers
4.2.10 Relative ordering of the suffixes
4.3 Rovers
4.4 Adjectives
6 Syntax
6.1 Basic sentences
6.2 Complex sentences
6.2.1 Compound sentences
6.2.2 Subordinate clauses
6.2.3 Relative clauses
6.2.4 Purpose clauses
6.2.5 Sentences as objects
6.2.5.1 Instead
6.2.5.2 Should/Ought to
6.2.6 Nominalizer
6.3 "To be"
6.4 Questions
6.6 Comparatives and superlatives
6.7 Placement of adverbial elements
6.8 Indirect objects
6.9 Verbs of motion
6.10 Between
6.11 With
6.12 Speaking and Quotations
6.13 Music
1
8. Empty
9 HolQeD
9.1.1 Some Comments on Orthography
9.1.2 An Interview with Marc Okrand
9.2.2 Letters to the Editor (excerpt)
9.2.4 Okrand's Notes
9.3.2 DS9 Skybox Card
9.3.3.1 Interview: Okrand on -ghach
9.3.3.2 chuvmey I
9.3.4 Everyday Klingon I
9.4.2.1 Interview: Okrand on {-bogh} and more
9.4.2.2 chuvmey II
9.4.3.1 Everyday Klingon II
9.4.3.2 Star Trek I Klingon
9.4.4 More from Maltz
9.5.1 A Note on Proverbs
9.5.2.1 More on Hoch
9.5.2.2 Everyday Klingon III
9.5.2.3 chuvmey III
9.5.3.1 The Tale of 'I'
9.5.3.2 Everyday Klingon IV
9.6.2 Everyday Klingon V
9.7.2 Maltz Online I
9.7.4 Interview with Marc Okrand
9.8.1 Maltz Online II
9.8.3 matlh juppu' mu'mey
9.8.4.1 Maltz Online III
9.8.4.2 Notes from Star Trek V
9.9.3 matlh jup mu'mey
9.9.4.1 Everyday Klingon VI
9.9.4.2 More from Maltz
9.10.2 A Friend of Maltz: {nItlhDu' yaDDu' je}
9.10.4 matlh juppu' mu'mey
9.11.2 matlh jup mu'mey
9.11.3.2 More From Maltz
9.11.4 Frasier's Klingon
9.12.2 Maltz's Reward: Part I
9.12.3 Maltz's Reward: Part II
9.12.4 Maltz’s Reward: Part III
9.13.1 Maltz's Reward: Part IV
10 Other Canon
10.1 Expressions
10.1.1 Sayings
10.1.1.1 Replacement Proverbs
10.1.1.2 Secrecy Proverbs
10.1.1.3 Holiday Proverbs
10.1.1.4 General Proverbs
10.1.2 Idioms
10.1.3 Toasts
10.1.4 Similes
10.1.5 Other Expressions
10.2 Dialogs
10.2.1 At the Hotel
10.2.2 Sightseeing
10.2.3 At the Restaurant
10.2.4 At the bar
10.2.5 Conducting Business
10.3 paq'batlh
10.3.1 The Ground Book
10.3.2 The Force Book
10.3.3 The Impact Book
10.3.4 The Epilogue
14. Linguistic Glossary
TODO: Do we need this? Can we talk about this kind of stuff in the text directly?
The Empire is built on a fierce tradition of honor, strength, and directness. To thrive among Klingons, Terran visitors must adapt quickly, showing respect for their deeply rooted ideals and rituals. Here is a guide to navigating Klingon culture.
The Four Pillars of Klingon Behavior
- Accuracy: Precise actions and words are signs of respect. Exaggeration or vague statements are viewed with suspicion.
- Straightforwardness: Speak directly about your intentions. Avoid small talk, greetings, or pleasantries that may be seen as deceptive.
- Aggressiveness: Assertiveness is admired. Whether in business or conversation, taking the initiative is respected.
- Strength: Klingons admire physical, mental, and emotional strength. Weakness is despised.
Business and Social Interactions
- Business as Ritual Battle: Every transaction is a form of combat. Bargaining is rare and seen as disrespectful.
- Suspicion of Foreigners: Klingons assume outsiders might be dishonorable until proven otherwise.
- Sealing Deals with Toasts: A successful business deal is typically celebrated with ritual toasts using approved expressions. Errors can cause deep offense.
- Curse Warfare: Insult contests test wit and toughness. Winning brings great respect; losing diminishes standing.
- Use of Formal Address: Recognizing and respecting military or social ranks is critical to avoiding offense.
Ceremonies and Important Rituals
- Empire Union Day: Honors Kahless and the founding of the Empire. Celebrated with public festivities and speeches.
- QI'lop: Military holiday involving feasting, ritual gift exchanges, and honoring warriors.
- Rite of Ascension (nentay): Coming-of-age ceremony featuring endurance trials (painsticks) to test courage and spirit.
- Replacement Proverbs: Used to recover honor after public embarrassment. Failing to recover can ruin one’s social standing.
- Secrecy Proverbs: Used to demonstrate trustworthiness in delicate or clandestine dealings.
Courtship and Mating Behavior
- Direct Courtship: Interest is expressed with body language (growls, purrs, warrior stances). No small talk or indirect approaches.
- Rejections Must Be Ritualized: Declining a suitor must be done carefully using specific gestures or phrases to avoid violence.
- Swift Mating: Klingon mating rituals are intense and physically demanding, echoing their wartime origins.
Language and Communication Style
- Clipped Speech: In urgent or combat situations, Klingons omit unnecessary words for faster communication. Using clipped speech casually signals military experience.
- Standard Dialect Loyalty: Using the Emperor’s dialect shows respect for authority and the current government.
- Humor: Klingon humor is dark, often focusing on survival, pain, or death. Laughing at a Klingon joke shows solidarity and toughness.
Handling Pets and Animals
Owning a Klingon pet (such as a targ or Qogh) requires firm control. Issuing strong, clipped commands shows your strength. Losing control of a pet in public severely damages your honor and reputation.
Essential Survival Tips
- Project confidence and physical strength at all times.
- Use ritual phrases and toasts correctly and with force.
- Recover quickly from public mistakes using Replacement Proverbs.
- Show absolute respect for hierarchy and traditions.
- Never show fear, uncertainty, or excessive friendliness.
- Participate when appropriate in toasts, curse contests, and ceremonies.
"If you want to prosper, remember to honor honor." — Klingon Proverb