[tlhIngan Hol] clipped klingon formal or informal

[Iikka Hauhio]

Clipped Klingon is used frequently in songs, including the canon Qoy qeylIS puqloD. Chanting is similar to a song, so it seems appropriate to use Clipped Klingon in order to make the text have a correct rhythm.

One thing to note is that Clipped Klingon is presumably a form of spoken language, used to make speaking easier (eg. in hurry, or while excited and not concentrating on speaking). If the ritual is written in advance, it might not use Clipped Klingon, simply because there is no need, unless there is a rhythm or similar reason.

> Although I'm not quite sure about the meaning of the word "excitement" in English. In Greek we use it for something good. For example excitement for an upcoming trip, excitement for a new date, excitement for a new well paying job. Is it the same in English too?

"Excited" has also the sexual meaning. I'm not sure if it applies here, but it is a constant source of confusion for me, especially when reading texts that use the Klingon word Sey'. I hope Okrand clarifies that. It's unfortunate that the suggestion "be horny" is currently so down-voted at chabal tetlh.

Iikka "fergusq" Hauhio
------- Original Message -------
On Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 at 13.47, mayqel qunen'oS <mihkoun at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thank you charghwI', fergusq, and SuStel for taking the time to reply. Before writing some additional thoughts, I need to ask something I don't understand.
>
> SuStel:
>> I would expect all kinds of ceremonies, religious or otherwise, to use
>> full Klingon: not only unclipped, but also with fewer nouns turning into
>> pronouns and dropped pronouns
>
> So, if I understand this correctly, when you say "with fewer nouns turning into pronouns", you mean that in the Melkor example, you'd expect someone to use more "Melkor" than {SoH}/{ghaH} when referring to him. And by saying "dropped pronouns" you mean that you'd expect someone to avoid using {SoH}/{ghaH} whenever referring to the god being worshipped, right?
>
> Anyways, I checked again with the tkd, where the following quotes are interesting:
>
> tkd:
>
>> This abbreviated form of speaking, called Clipped Klingon
>> by Klingon grammarians, is heard quite frequently in military
>> contexts where quick ---rather than eloquent--- communication
>> is deemed a virtue
>> Responses to commands and status reports are also prone to
>> clipping
>> When in a situation of great danger or when immediate action
>> may be necessary, a Klingon is apt to drop pronominal
>> prefixes. This clipped form is also common when a Klingon is
>> excited for some reason.
>
> Indeed, no reference is being made with regards to the formal/informal nature of clipped Klingon. Also perhaps the quote of "This clipped form is also common when a Klingon is excited for some reason" shows that it would not be improper to use clipped Klingon in the setting of a god having just appeared, since such an event could definitely cause someone to be excited.
>
> Although I'm not quite sure about the meaning of the word "excitement" in English. In Greek we use it for something good. For example excitement for an upcoming trip, excitement for a new date, excitement for a new well paying job. Is it the same in English too?
>
> Also I'd like to add, that perhaps there's another case where during ritual clipped Klingon would be appropriate. Consider the following.
>
> The priest of Melkor circles the altar, incense at hand, chanting: "from the north I summon thee, approach; from the east I summon thee, approach; from the south I summon thee, approach; from the west I summon thee, approach; from the center I summon thee, approach; approach, approach, approach"
>
> Saying the above in Klingon, you'd say {'ev chan 'evvo' qarIt; yIghoS} and it would sound better than {'ev chan 'evvo' qarIt; ghoS} where I find that there's something "missing". Saying {'ev chan 'evvo' qarIt; ghoS} instead of {'ev chan 'evvo' qarIt; yIghoS}, gives me the feeling that this phrase ends somewhat abruptly.
>
> But when the time comes for the final three "approach" to be chanted, saying {yIghoS, yIghoS, yIghoS} instead of {ghoS, ghoS, ghoS} gives me the feeling of "dragging this out too much". I know that perhaps this sounds strange, but I can't find any better way to describe this in English.
>
> So, perhaps, the choice of clipped Klingon in ritual, can be viewed as something contributing to the intended rhythm. Do you want something dragged out in length, for whatever reason? Use full Klingon. Do you want something which sounds more rhythmic in repetition? Use clipped Klingon.
>
> And perhaps such an approach could be possible, since there's no indication that the use of clipped Klingon would be a sign of disrespect.
>
> --
> Dana'an
> https://sacredtextsinklingon.wordpress.com/
> Ζεὺς ἦν, Ζεὺς ἐστίν, Ζεὺς ἔσσεται· ὦ μεγάλε Ζεῦ
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