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

[Steven Boozer]

> Klingon word:   Qal
> Part of speech: verb
> Definition:     swim

naDev jIQal vIneH; Qobbe''a' bIQ? 
Is it safe to swim here? (TNK)

"One of the brand new Klingon words [from TalkNow! Klingon] is the one for swimming as in the phrase 'Is it safe to swim here?' Klingons don't like water as, for them, it's a sign of weakness; they also love danger. So this one may come as a surprise to them!" says Marc [Okrand]."   [qe'San]

TKW 35:  The negative associations with water might also be seen when Worf remarked to Counselor Deanna Troi, "Swimming is too much like bathing."

KGT 91:  The verb {HaH} [...] is now often used in the more general sense of "soak, drench". It is frequently heard in the reflexive form ({HaH'egh} "soak oneself") in reference to such activities as drinking a great deal, which has positive connotations, and bathing, an occasional undertaking with negative connotations. 

A {lotlhmoq} is "a bird that swoops into the water in order to catch food, but cannot swim" (cf. HQ 10.4).


--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons