[tlhIngan Hol] Hol qeqwI'pu' ghom

Mon Aug 3 12:50:38 PDT 2020

I want to try a new kind of video chat event for beginner and intermediate speakers.  Advanced speakers are welcome too, but may find it aimed below their level. The concept is to provide a place where beginners and intermediate speakers can practice listening to Klingon spoken in a slow and simple fashion so they can practice the skill of listening. We want the {qeqwI'pu'} (as we will be calling the participants) to rely completely on the speech centers of the brain without having to access the read/write part of the brain. The event will not really be an ongoing discussion with everyone, but rather an opportunity for the presenter to give the {qeqwI'pu'} information that might be provided as a written summary in other meetings, but will only be given verbally in this meeting and without any written input. Since no written materials will be provided, the {qeqwI’pu’} will have to rely on training their ears to hear and understand the sounds, words, and sentences. The {qeqwI'pu'} will be asked to participate in a small amount of interaction to use and practice the information and this will be a place for the {qeqwI’pu’} to boldly try out their Klingon without having to worry about criticism or correction, but the bulk of the presentation will be the presenter demonstrating the words, what they mean, and how they are used. Some basics of pronunciation and grammar are a prerequisite as they will not be explicitly taught. But the {qeqwI'pu'} will get a lot of chances to hear basic grammar and vocabulary being used in slow, but real, Klingon. The presentations should be slow enough and basic enough that even beginners can pick up on words they do not already know. And if the presenter goes too fast or uses grammar and vocabulary that's too complicated, the {qeqwI'pu'} should let them know so they can slow down, repeat, and demonstrate to help the {qeqwI'pu'} understand. Following are the rules and expectations:

Rules (for ALL participants, including those leading the sessions):

  1.  Klingon language only! If it's an actual emergency you can use English. Or if you're getting so frustrated with something you're about to quit, it's ok to use a tiny bit of English. But do NOT make it a regular thing or a crutch - force yourself to use Klingon!

  2.  No corrections! If you understood what was meant, let the error go. If you don't understand, then ask questions in Klingon to figure it out. Do NOT use the corrected word or phrase just to show someone the right way! But if you're repeating it naturally in conversation, use the correct form obviously.

  3.  No writing! Gestures are OK. Acting things out is OK. Drawing things is OK. Practice listening and speaking! Practice using your memory! Leave your reading and writing practice for another time and place.

  4.  Keep the language simple! Speak slowly and clearly and use basic vocabulary and grammar. It's ok to interact some with intermediate or advanced speakers, but, as much as possible, try to speak in a way that will just challenge the lowest level qeqwI' present.

Expectations for qeqwI'pu':

  1.  Listening and speaking are separate skills from reading and writing. No matter how much you study the written language, you won't be able to use the spoken language unless you practice listening and speaking in the language.

  2.  Communication in the language is a separate skill from knowing the grammar rules. In this group, your ability to use the spoken language to receive and communicate information is valued above your ability to interpret and apply the proper grammar rules. The grammar does help with communication, but in this group you will learn patterns through repetition, not rules through instruction.

  3.  Do not use TKD, boQwI’, Hol ‘ampaS or other look up aids during the presentations and do not write down what you are hearing.  Use your ears and your brains to try to understand what is being said.  The presenters will try to use very basic Klingon and a lot of visual demonstrations to help you understand what they are talking about.  The purpose of these presentations is to practice the skills of listening and interpreting through what you are hearing and seeing without having to look everything up.  If you want to make notes for yourself after the presentation, that is OK.

  4.  If the presentation is going to fast or getting too complicated, say something in Klingon to let the presenter know you need more help and the presenter can slow down, repeat, and demonstrate what they are saying.

  5.  Visual elements of the presentation will be very important.  If you do not have the capability of seeing what the presenter is showing then you will not be able to get the intended benefit from this group.  Please plan to attend a meeting only when you will be able to watch the visuals.  There will also be activities where it will be helpful for the presenter to see you, but that is not as important.  There will still be a lot for you to learn and practice even if the presenter cannot see you.  But please make any effort you can to be seen by the presenter so that you can get full benefit from your interactions in this group.

  6.  Make mistakes! Since the goal in this group is to speak the language and no one will correct you if you make mistakes, this is a safe place to go ahead and say something even if it's not perfect. Take this opportunity to try out some Klingon even if it's not exactly right.  This group is about practice, not perfection.

  7.  It’s OK to forget words between sessions.  It’s normal and it’s fine.  The point is to learn them through repeated practice, not memorize them perfectly the first time you hear them.  Try to remember them, but it’s fine if you need many more practice sessions before you can remember the words.

  8.  Come prepared with some basic phrases and questions ready to say. But do NOT use a cheat sheet. Try to memorize the phrases. And if you don't remember them exactly, it's OK - that's just another opportunity to make some good mistakes!  Some typical examples are:

yIjatlhqa’! Say that again!

QIt yIjatlh! Speak slowly!
nuq ‘oH? What is it?
‘Iv ghaH? Who is he/she?
qaS nuq? What is happening?
nuq ta’ ghaH? What is he/she doing?
qatlh? Why?
HISlaH. or HIja’. Yes.
ghobe’. No.
potlhbe’. It’s not important.

At first, the sessions may be sporadic and we may try some different things.  If everything works out well, hopefully we will develop some regular times, features, and presenters.  For the opening day of this group, we will be having two sessions this Friday, August 7.  We are hoping that at least one of these sessions is timed well for you, though you are welcome to attend both if you are able.

The first session of the Hol qeqwI’pu’ ghom this Friday, August 7 will be led by ‘ISqu’ and will be at 1pm EDT/5pm UTC.

Topic: Hol qeqwI'pu' ghom Zoom Meeting

Time: Aug 7, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83837647136?pwd=OGlycFF6ZzFoRnhaWi9FaEQ1RExTQT09

Meeting ID: 838 3764 7136

Passcode: 809733

The second session of the Hol qeqwI’pu’ ghom this Friday, August 7 will be led by julyan’a’ and will be at 6pm EDT/10pm UTC.

Topic: Hol qeqwI'pu' ghom Zoom Meeting

Time: Aug 7, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://unl.zoom.us/j/95276731223
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