[tlhIngan Hol] Klingon Word of the Day: DeghwI'

[Steven Boozer]

Klingon word: 	DeghwI'
Part of speech:  noun
Definition: 	helmsman
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  DeghwI' <He chu'>.   So'wI' yIchu'! 
  [Helmsman... New course! Engage cloaking device. (novel)] ST6

(KGT 53):  There are a number of words employed to describe the specific functions performed by officers on a ship, but none of these is used as a title. For example … the helmsman is the {DeghwI'}. 

(HQ 11.2):  In general, {'or} ["operate (an aircraft), pilot"] would not be used to refer to the activities of the captain of a spacecraft, or even those of its helmsman, but Maltz said it could be used for the controlling of a shuttlecraft.

CULTURAL NOTES:

   {DeghwI'} is used for ferryman in GILGAMESH.

    Kortar ({qotar}) is the ferryman on the mythical Barge of the Dead who destroyed the gods who created him and as punishment he was condemned to ferry the souls of the dishonored dead over the River of Blood to the gates of Gre'thor; the Klingon equivalent of Charon. (VOY "Barge of the Dead")

SEE:
Degh 		medal, emblem, symbol, insignia, marking, mark (n)

Degh  		helm (n)
  - pawDI' Hegh Duj DeghDaq Qam qotar 
    When the Barge of the Dead came, Kotar stood at its helm (PB)

Degh  		take action without a plan,  improvise (slang) (n)
(KGT 149-50, in re ):  This expression may be based on {DeghwI'} (helmsman).  There is no known verb {Degh}, but if there were such a word, presumably it would mean steer, and {DeghwI'}, then, would be literally "one who steers", formed from {Degh} plus the suffix {-wI'} (one who does [something]).  There is a related noun {Degh} (helm), but since {-wI'} follows only verbs, there must have been a verb {Degh} at one time that has fallen out of use, at least in the sense of steer … in the usual sense of guiding a vessel along a set course or defined path.

SEE ALSO:
chIjwI' 		navigator (n)
'orwI' 		pilot (n)

--
Voragh, Ca'Non Master of the Klingons
    Please contribute relevant vocabulary from the last year or two. I’ve fallen 
    behind in updating my files and adding cross-references for related words.