[Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: patlh

[Steven Boozer]

> Klingon word:   patlh
> Part of speech: noun
> Definition:     level, layer, standing

Used in canon:

  qaSDI' nenghep, qa' patlh chu' chav tlhIngan SuvwI'
  The Age of Ascension marks a new level of spiritual
  attainment by a Klingon warrior. S9

  DuraS tuq tlhIngan yejquv patlh luDub 'e' reH
   lunIDtaH DuraS be'nI'pu' lurSa' be'etor je.
  The sisters of the House of Duras, Lursa and B'Etor,
   are constantly seeking a higher standing for the House
   of Duras within the Klingon High Council. S26

  SuvwI' qa' patlh veb chavlaHmeH tlhIngan lo'chu' chaH.
   toDujDaj toblu'
  [They] use the devices [painstiks] to inflict pain in a
   manner which will allow the Klingon to attain a higher
   state of spirituality as a warrior, proving his mettle. S32

  Hung buv rav: patlh Hut 
  classified level 9 and above (KBoP)

  qutluch patlh 
  *kut'luch* rank 

["This phrase means 'hierarchical structure' ... To determine one's place in Klingon society or to understand who has authority over whom, one must be aware of the {qutluch patlh} of the military, the government, the house with which one is associated, and so on." (KGT 110-11)]

  "The words used as titles to denote the rank ({patlh}) within the Klingon Defense Force have caused a certain amount of confusion, largely because the system does not neatly map onto that used by Starfleet..." (KGT 52)


Cf. also *{Hol patlh} "certification level" (KLI's Klingon Language Certification Program [KLCP])


--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons