Introduction to the addendum

The original edition of this dictionary was never intended to contain a complete description of the Klingon language, but only an outline of some of its more important grammatical features and a representative sample of its vocabulary. Since its appearance, study of the language has continued and a great deal more has been learned. Unfortunately, due to a number of factors, including the recession currently affecting most of this sector as well as recent political changes, research funds have become more difficult to come by, delaying the completion of analysis of the language. Indeed, work has been stalled on a number of worthwhile projects, including the Klingon Encyclopedia and the Romulan Chrestomathy. Nevertheless,

enough new information has been gleaned about Klingon that adding an addendum to the dictionary, even a brief one, seems beneficial.

 

In this addendum, the section-numbering system used in the main body of the dictionary is employed so that cross references may be easily made.

 

Once again, the author would like to thank the Federation Scientific Research Council for its support of this project, and, more importantly, would like to give credit to those who really make this effort possible: the increasing number of Klingons who are eager to share their language and culture with the rest of us. taHjaj boq.

NOUNS

3.3.1. TYPE 1: NOUN SUFFIXES:

AUGMENTATIVE/DIMINUTIVE

-oy endearment

This is an infrequently used, but nonetheless very interesting noun suffix. It is a very peculiar suffix because it is the only suffix that begins with a vowel rather than a consonant. (Though there are no examples, it is suspected that for those few nouns which end in a vowel, ’ is inserted before this suffix.) The suffix usually follows a noun referring to a relative (mother, father, etc.), but it could also follow a noun for an animal, especially a pet, and means that the speaker is particularly fond of whatever the noun refers to. It is strongly suggested that non-native speakers of Klingon avoid this suffix unless they know what they are getting into.

 

vav father	vavoy daddy
be’nI’ sister	be’nI’oy sis

 

 

VERBS

-ba’ obviously

This suffix is used when the speaker thinks that his or her asser- tion should be obvious to the listener. Nevertheless, there is still room for doubt; the suffix does not imply as strong a conviction as -bej certainly.

 

nepwI’ Daba’

he/she is obviously lying (nepwI’ liar,   Da act in the manner of, behave as)