[tlhIngan Hol] Klingon Word of the Day: gha'tlhIq (noun)

[Steven Boozer]

Klingon word: gha'tlhIq
Part of speech: noun
Definition: GaTH'K, Ode of Respect
Source: KGT (215 KE, 251 EK)
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AFAIK not used in a sentence.

"It is an ancient Klingon tradition to commemorate an important event with a poem. Jadzia asked me to compose one for this occasion." (Worf, DS9 "One Little Ship")

Basai Master is the name bestowed on Klingon master poets. They are known to be passionate people and their works bring them great respect among their comrades. (DS9 "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places")

"We were like warriors from the ancient sagas. There was nothing we could not do." (Worf, DS9 "The Way of the Warrior, Pt. II")

 "My friends, songs will be sung about this day." (Martok to Sisko and Adm. Ross before the Federation Alliance's final assault on Dominion forces on Cardassia Prime, DS9 "What We Leave Behind, Pt. I")

G'trok was the author of the epic poem lu qeng "The Fall of Kang" (DS9 "Second Sight")

Keedera was a great writer of Klingon epic songs. Martok suggested adding a line to a famous song by Keedera: "Bashir, the healer who bound the warrior's wounds so that he could fight again." (DS9 "By Inferno's Light")

In KCD Pok wrote one of these lengthy, florid poems to honor an aging soldier- Gowron remembers: 
"Pok has written a *GaTH'k*,  [...]  An ode of respect for the old Klingon, Ler'at.  [...]  Ler'at is full of old superstitions," I said. He believes it is bad luck to speak proud words about yourself [...] :
      Ler'at, House of Tignar, warrior son,
      At the Battle of Teh, he killed many men.
      At the Battle of Reth he took many hurts.
      His arms were strong to lift the bat'tleh high.
      His heart was fierce to keep the enemy afraid.
      At Teh, at Reth, at Lagon, at Dumath, at Negan.
      His arms are heavy now with the weight of many battles.
      His heart is burdened by the press of many honors.
      When he dies, the heaven will shake
      With the screams of his comrades.
      Warning the dead, "Beware!  Beware!
      A warrior is coming."

"This was a true GaTH'k, Pok." (KCD novelization, p.132)

SEE:
bom		song, poem (n)
pa'jaH 		rhyme (n)
ghuQ  		poem (n) (qepHom 2016)
  - {bom} is not the same as {ghuQ}.  A {ghuQ} has no musical/rhythmic 
     accompaniment, a {bom} does.

SEE ALSO:
Sub 		hero (n)
Ho' 		idol, someone worthy of emulation or deserving of respect (slang) (n)

TREK NOTES:
  "Throughout the ages, from Keats to Jorkemo, poets have composed odes to individuals who have had a profound effect on their lives. In keeping with that tradition, I have written my next poem in honor of my cat. I call it 'Ode to Spot'." (Data to audience, TNG "Schisms") :
      Felis catus is your taxonomic nomenclature. 
      An endothermic quadruped, carnivorous by nature. 
      Your visual, olfactory, and auditory senses 
      Contribute to your hunting skill and natural defenses. 
      I find myself intrigued by your subvocal oscillations.  
      A singular development of cat communications 
      That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection, 
      For a rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate affection. 
      A tail is quite essential for your acrobatic talents. 
      You would not be so agile if you lacked its counterbalance. 
      And when not being utilized to aid in locomotion 
      It often serves to illustrate the state of your emotions. 
      Oh, Spot, the complex levels of behavior you display 
      Connote a fairly well-developed cognitive array. 
      And though you are not sentient, Spot, and do not comprehend 
      I nonetheless consider you a true and valued friend.
        (cf. (http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Ode_to_Spot)