If you're looking for a way to impress your Trekkie friends, or just want to dive deeper into the Star Trek universe, consider learning the Klingon language. In the traditional sense, this language is not considered a "real" language, but it is in the sense that it has its own grammar and structure. To use it casually, you can focus your efforts on learning a few phrases. However, there are other resources available if you want to learn it in depth.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Basic Phrases
Step 1. Make sure you pronounce the letters of the Klingon language correctly
In general, this language is spoken in a forceful way and by means of guttural sounds. However, each letter has its own specific way of being pronounced, and you must learn how to pronounce each letter properly before you can pronounce the words correctly.
- The lowercase letters "b", "ch", "l", "m", "n", "p", "t" and "w" are pronounced in the same way as those in Spanish. On the other hand, the letters "j" and "v" in lowercase, are pronounced like those of English.
- The lowercase letter "a" is pronounced like "ah" in English or like the "a" in "papa".
- The lowercase letter "e" is pronounced like the "e" in "dog" or "finger."
- The letter "I" (capital "i") is pronounced with a sound that does not exist in Spanish. It is pronounced like the "i" in the words "English", "Spanish", or "bit".
- The lowercase letter "o" is pronounced like the "o" in "honor" or "power."
- The lowercase letter "u" is pronounced like the "u" in "smoke" or "dot."
- The letter "D" (capital "d") is pronounced like the "d" in Spanish but with the tongue turned back.
- The letter "H" (capital "h") has a difficult sound to produce. This sound is made with the throat and is similar to the German "h", as in "Bach". Try to stop your vocal cords from vibrating. Similarly, in the Klingon language the digraph "gh" is regarded as a single letter. Pronounce it with the back of your throat as a gargle or as if you were going to pronounce the "H" but making your vocal chords vibrate.
- The digraph "ng" is considered to be a single letter in Klingon, but is pronounced the same way as in Spanish.
- The pronunciation of the lowercase letter "q" is similar to that of the Spanish "k". However, a very guttural sound is required to be made. Your tongue should brush against the uvula or the entrance to your throat. On the other hand, the letter "Q" (uppercase "q") is similar to the lowercase "q", but must be pronounced together with an "H".
- The letter "r" is pronounced like the "r" in Spanish.
- The letter "S" (capital "s") is pronounced similar to the English "sh". To pronounce it, you have to move your tongue towards the highest point of your mouth instead of moving it towards your teeth.
- The "tlh" sound is considered a single letter in Klingon. Start by saying a "t" but let your tongue go to the side of your mouth instead of immediately going to the bottom of it. Then lightly pronounce the consonant "l" without making your vocal chords not vibrate.
- The lowercase letter "y" is pronounced the same as in Spanish.
- The apostrophe (') is considered a letter in the Klingon language. It is the same sound that is produced in Spanish when words begin in a vowel, as in "un" or "there." Basically the sound is a soft pause in the throat. In Klingon, this can be used in the middle of a word.
Step 2. Greet your Trekking friends with a loud "Honoree."
This is the equivalent of the word "hello", but its closest translation is "what do you want?"
Step 3. Answer the questions with "HIja '" or "HISlaH", or with "ghobe'"
The former means "yes", while the latter means "no".
Step 4. Express your understanding with "jIyaj"
Its approximate translation would be "I understand". Similarly, "jIyajbe '" means "I don't understand."
Step 5. Express your approval with "maj" or "majQa '"
The first means "good!", While the second means "well done!".
Step 6. Ask a Trekkie friend if he or she can speak Klingon with "tlhIngan Hol Dajatlh’a’ "
This literally means "do you speak Klingon?" If someone asks you that question, but you are still unsure of your abilities to express yourself in Klingon, you can respond with "tlhIngan Hol vIjatlhaHbe '" or with "I don't speak Klingon."
Step 7. Show your honor proudly by saying:
"Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam". This means "today is a good day to die" and is a highly valued phrase in Klingon culture.
Step 8. Claim you are a Klingon with a shocking "tlhIngan maH
". This phrase translates to" We are Klingons! ". Similarly, you can use" tlhIngan jIH "to simply say" I am a Klingon."
Step 9. Ask for the toilets with "nuqDaq 'oH puchpa e'". Every race needs an occasional time to go to the bathroom, and the Klingons are no exception. If you cannot locate the nearest restroom at the next convention you will attend, you can ask a Klingon-speaking Trekkie as follows: "nuqDaq 'oH puchpae'". This means "where is the bathroom?"
Step 10. To know the time, can you use the phrase "'arlogh Qoylu'pu'?
"Its rough translation would be" What time is it? "A more literal translation would be" How many times has it been heard?"
Step 11. Insult your enemies with "Hab SoSlI 'Quch
"This translates to" your mother has a smooth forehead! "Klingons are known for their crested foreheads and telling one that their mother has no comb is considered a very severe insult.
Step 12. Prepare to attack your enemies with "cha yIbaH qara’DI’ "
This means in Spanish "fire the torpedoes!".
Step 13. If you want to know about a good place to eat, ask "nuqDaq’ oH Qe’QaQ’e’ "
This phrase means "where is a good restaurant?"
Step 14. Ask if there are any empty seats with "quSDaq ba’lu’’a’ "
If you want to sit next to a trekkie that you don't formally know, you can use this phrase which means "is this seat taken?"
Step 15. You can insult with the word "petaQ
"It is also pronounced as" p'tahk "," pahtk "," pahtak "or" p'tak ". This term is a common insult that does not have a direct translation in Spanish, but its approximate translation would be" fool "," coward "or" person without honor. "Use this to describe someone who does not possess the spirit of a warrior.
Method 2 of 2: Learn More
Step 1. Join a group of Klingons
The best known and most knowledgeable group is the Klingon Language Institute but you can also find other fan groups if you do an internet search. Access the free information that these groups offer to determine if you are really interested in learning this language. Some of these groups also offer official memberships, which can provide you with access to more information and events.
Step 2. Listen to the language
After you've learned the alphabet and a few words, search the Internet for videos or purchase audio CDs or DVDs of experts speaking Klingon. This way you can learn Klingon through examples. The audio files will allow you to hear how the Klingon words are pronounced and the video files will help you see how you should gesture while producing the sounds.
Step 3. Get a dictionary of the Klingon language
You can buy it online or at a bookstore, or you can also find a free one and download it. A Klingon dictionary works in the same way as other dictionaries. Most dictionaries have a Spanish - Klingon and Klingon - Spanish section, so you can translate the words and phrases of both languages.
Step 4. Download a Klingon font
Although you can pronounce and read Klingon using the standard Latin alphabet, strictly speaking, there are separate characters used to represent those letters and sounds. You can find out more about those letters by searching online and in Klingon language books. Once you are comfortable with the new alphabet, you can download a font that uses this alphabet for any digital Klingon communication you need to do.
Step 5. Read works written in Klingon
A good way to practice any language is to practice reading in that language. You can buy or download books, magazines, poems, and short stories in Klingon. Some of these books include works previously written in other languages, such as Shakespeare's plays.