Customer Reviews

The Klingon Dictionary (Star Trek)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This dictionary is a life saver if you attend DragonCon in Atlanta! That place is overflowing with Klingons. I used this guide to tell one not to kill me when I bumped into him there. He was quite full of insults, though.

All in all, this book is a lot of fun and could be the start of your very own linguistic journey into the heart of a warrior race. Be careful not to spill your blood wine on the important parts, though...

loghDaq Suvrupbogh SuvwI'pu' chaH Hoch SuvwI'pu''e'... Learning a new language may be daunting, but what Klingon warrior does not appreciate a challenge? Marc Okrand is the professional linguist who designed the language of the most popular of Star Trek alien species. Far from meaningless grunting and growling, the klingo-lingo termed "tlhIngan Hol" possesses a rich vocabulary and brilliantly conceived grammatical structure. It is an actual language, ironically considered the fastest-growing on earth. Despite its conciseness, it takes effort to learn the complex syntax and rasping, guttural pronunciation. This is why the majority of its fluent speakers are serious students of linguistics, rather than sci-fi fans. Besides the basic "Klingon Dictionary", Okrand has published two other related books, "The Klingon Way" and "Klingon for the Galactic Traveler", as well as two instructional tapes. These materials provide a remarkably thorough course of study. Upon completion, klinguists are able to converse about practically anything -- although it is especially helpful if the topic relates to war or honor!

This book does not just teach a few phrases in Klingon, it gives readers the nuts and bolts of the language. Don't be fooled, Klingon is a real language. Many language programs just teach a few phrases and skip over the fundamental aspects of the language. This book uses grammatical terminology that makes it easy to put together your own sentances accurately. At the end of the book you will find a section devoted to common phrases making it easy to put together the new ideas. Also, a highly detailed sketch of pronounciation is given. If you want to learn Klingon, this is a must. Qapla' !

Though the insistence that there really are Klingons might be off-putting to some linguophiles, the work put into developing this OVS artlang justifies a read of the book. Like many initial grammars, there are words and issues of syntax which are overlooked. Yet, the material in this book renders the language usable, especially when coupled with Klingon for the Galactic Traveler (also by Marc Orkand), and can be an entertaining challenge.

Absolutely great book. The sheer thought put into the grammar and syntax of this language inspires me. I recomend it to anyone who likes languages and/or Star Trek.

Qapla'

This was a great book for budding linguists! I was a linguistics major at university when I bought this, studying AI among other things. I attempted to get a course created that studied how a 'constructed' language like Klingon, (which a practicing linguist designed!) would work, and how it was designed. We had a professor interested, and at least a dozen senior students, but couldn't get the department head to sign off on the idea, (she was very conservative, and couldn't see the sense in studying a non-natural language, even if it was built using natural-language principals!) Too bad, though, as it could have been really interesting. Anyway, the book is well put together, and as I mentioned, the language was designed around sound linguistic principals as a potentially 'real' language.

Chicks dig guys with a good grasp of the Klingon language, and this book will help you to attract all the Ferenghi hotties.

I'm rather new to tlhIngan (Klingon) Hol (language). This book is the first and most important reference for the language. The book not only has a collection of words, but a detailed discussion of the the grammar of the language. Intricate and challenging, learning tlhIngan Hol is a great intellectual passtime.

Ok, I'm not a hard core Trekkie, and I don't speak Klingon. I read this with an interest in language studies and philology. While I think some of Okrand's ideas in language design are a bit extreem and garrishly unwieldly (and he feels compeled to move all phenomes to the back of the mouth and throat), he still made them work. It's fun to read for a conlanger or just to pick up a few intimidating phrases.

This is a great way to learn the language the Klingons speak.Not only is it a diconary but teaches the gramar as well.Every penny you buy with this book is worth it.