[tlhIngan Hol] Klingon Word of the Day: chotlh

[Steven Boozer]

Klingon word: chotlh
Part of speech: verb
Definition: stare at, gaze at, observe
Source: QelIS boqHarmey [Alice in Wonderland]
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(QelIS boqHarmey, p.239):  The word {chotlh} means stare at or gaze at or observe. You'd also use it (often without an object) to mean staring off into space, staring at nothing in particular, zoning out. So it's used when you're looking at something intently, with a lot of focus, but also when you're not particularly focused. It can also be used for ogle. Context clarifies which sort of connotation is intended. 

(SuSel 11/11/2021):  I think {nuD} implies taking in information, while {chotlh} only implies visual targeting.

(Lieven, 11/11/2021):  The question originated from a character in the story who is just staring into the sky; Not watching the stars or so, just looking up with no target.  Nothing is being observed or examined.  I see the difference to the other verbs like {legh} is used more like see in general as opposed to not see:  "Do you see that cat over there?"  {bej} is defined as "watch, observe". The proverb from TKW:
     bISutlhnISchugh jaghlI' mInDu' tIbej.  
     If you must negotiate, watch your enemy's eyes.
is a hint to "observe" your opponent's eyes, but surely not stare at them intently. And here is the difference. When you are at a romantic dinner and you look into your girlfriend's eyes, that's {chotlh}. And then, if you noticed (i.e. you {legh}) another nice woman passing by, you can ogle at her, that is {chotlh} too. I guess there is a slight overlap between {bej} and {chotlh}, but if it's for staring at something - intently or stupidly - then it's clearly {chotlh}.

SEE ALSO:
bej 		watch (v)
ghan 		glance at, take a quick look at (v)
legh 		see (v)
nej 		look for, seek, search for (v)
nuD 		examine, look at, inspect (v)
tu' 		observe, notice (v)

--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons