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

[Steven Boozer]

> Klingon Word of the Day for Sunday, December 23, 2012
> 
> Klingon word:   jan
> Part of speech: noun
> Definition:     musical instrument
> Source:         KGT

{jan} by itself is just a device, {QoQ jan} is a musical instrument:

KGT 74:  There are several types of Klingon musical instruments. Collectively, they are known as {QoQ jan} or {QoQ janmey} ... {QoQ}, as noted above, means "music"; {jan} is normally translated as "device" and is usually applied to some sort of sophisticated apparatus, but its use in {QoQ jan} may point to an earlier and less limited meaning, something like "implement". There are special words used to describe the various techniques employed in playing specific instruments, but the general term for "play a musical instrument" is {chu'}, which, when applied to technologically advanced devices, including weapons, means "activate". Indeed, out of context, {jan chu'} could mean either "activate the device" or "play the instrument", which may be why {QoQ jan} (musical instrument) is seldom shortened to simply {jan}.

qa'vam jan SeH DIvI'. 
[The Federation controls the Genesis Device.] (ST3 DVD case)

qa'vam jan yISuq. 
[Acquire the Genesis Device!] (ST3 DVD case)

janmey ngo' lulo'lu'DI' pIj jabbI'ID nISpu' woj 
Older models were susceptible to radiation. S19

chaHvaD nIb yan wIjwI' jan je 
They don't know how to distinguish a sword from a plough! PB

A {janHom} might be translated as "gadget, gizmo". Cf.:

  Qapqu' wovmoHbogh janHommey 
  It even has working lights! (Hallmark)

Known types of {jan}:

botjan 				shield(s) (i.e. force fields)
  begh botjan 			  deflector shield(s) 
  peQ botjan  			  magnetic shield
baHjan  				launcher
  peng baHjan 			  torpedo launcher 
QoQ jan 				musical instrument
Saqjan 				landing gear 
wIjwI' jan  			plough
wovmoHbogh jan  		light

Any more mentioned in the Haynes BOP Manual?

Related nouns:

jo' 		machinery, mechanism
mIqta' 	machinery
QuQ 		engine
jonta' 	engine


--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons