[tlhIngan Hol] Klingon Word of the Day: peng

[Steven Boozer]

Klingon word: peng
Part of speech: noun
Definition: torpedo, missile
_______________________________________________

(KGT 56f):  Ships are also equipped with an explosive weapon called a {peng}, usually translated as torpedo, though missile might work just as well. The plural form of {peng} is a different word, {cha}. A {peng} is launched from a tube usually called a {DuS}, but another term, {chetvI'}, is also used, the distinction having something to do with how the projectile is actually loaded into the tube. The verb used for launch or fire a weapon of this type is {baH}, and there is even a special word, {ghuS}, meaning prepare to launch. The warhead of the torpedo is called its {jorneb} (which seems to contain the verb {jor} [explode] but is otherwise not analyzable).

 (TKD 36f):  There is, it should be noted, a verb {ghuS} which means to be prepared to launch or project (something). This verb never takes the suffix {-rup}. It is used primarily in reference to torpedoes--so much so that if the object is not specifically stated, and context does not dictate otherwise, it is always assumed to be torpedoes. According, both of the following sentences mean "Be prepared to launch torpedoes!" or "Stand by on torpedoes!": {cha yIghuS, yIghuS}.

(KGT 33):  Another grammatical feature of Klingon about which children frequently become confused involves nouns that are inherently plural, such as {cha} (torpedoes) and {ngop} (plates [for eating]), as opposed to their singular counterparts {peng} (torpedo) and {jengva'} (plate). Instead of using the special plural forms, children tend forms plurals of these words by simply adding the plural suffix {-mey} to the singular forms ({pengmey, jengva'mey}) ... Adults also add –mey to these nouns, but they do so to indicate that the items are scattered about ({jengva'mey}, "plates scattered all over the place"). ... Children seem to be aware of the existence of the inherently plural forms, however, for they use them as well, though usually with the suffix {-mey} superfluously appended: {chamey} (torpedoeses), {ngopmey} (plateses). Inherently plural nouns are considered singular as far as how they fit into the overall grammatical structure.

TREK NOTES:
  The IKC Somraw was equipped with photon torpedoes (*pu'DaH dak cha*), which Enterprise armaments officer Reed had never heard of in 2151. (ENT "Sleeping Dogs")

  Two types of torpedo found on the B'rel-class BOP are the {pach peng} Talon's Strike and {moratlh ro'} Morath's Fist (torpedo). (BOP Haynes)


SEE:
peng baHjan  		torpedo launcher (n) 
 - peng baHjan tuj ghImwI' 
    heat exhaust for torpedo launcher. (KBoP)
 - 'otlh peng baHjan 
    photon torpedo launcher (KBoP)

'otlh peng 		photon torpedo (n)
 - 'otlh peng Qeq(chu') 
    He aims the photon torpedo (perfectly). (PK)

--
Voragh, Ca'Non Master of the Klingons
    Please contribute relevant vocabulary from recent qep’a’mey 
    or qepHommey. I’ve fallen woefully behind in updating my files.