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

[Steven Boozer]

> Klingon word:   vuv
> Part of speech: verb
> Definition:     respect

chovuv 
You respect me. KLS

vuv be' 'e' baj 
earn that a woman respect him  KGT

qoH vuvbe' SuS 
The wind does not respect a fool. TKW

ghaH vuv SuS neH 
he/she wants the wind to respect him/her KGT

muvuvpu' SuS vIneH 
I wanted the wind to respect me. KGT

Duvuv SuS DaneH'a'? 
Do you want the wind to respect you? KGT

nughraj Dun lurDechmeyraj Dun je DIvuvta' 'e' lutul HaDwI'pu' 'ej vItul jIH. 
The editors and I hope to have respected your rich culture and tradition (Vincent Van Gerven Oei's speech at qepHom wa'maHDIch)


KGT 122:  The idiomatic expression {ghaH vuv SuS neH} ("he/she wants the wind to respect him/her") comes from the same story; it is used to mean "He/she is foolish" or "He/she is a fool". For example, one might answer the question {qatlh betleHDaj tlhapbe'?} ("Why doesn't he take his bat'leth?") by saying {ghaH vuv SuS neH} ("He wants the wind to respect him"--that is, He's a fool). The expression can be modified to apply to different persons or situations: {muvuvpu' SuS vIneH} ("I wanted the wind to respect me"--in other words, I acted like a fool); {bImaw''a'? Duvuv SuS DaneH'a'?} ("Are you crazy? Do you want the wind to respect you?"--that is, What's with you? Are you an idiot?).

Cultural notes:

KGT 69:  Though any perceived attack on one's honor may prompt one to issue a challenge, in one traditional form of duel, the goal is specifically for a man to "win the favor of a women" ({vuv be' 'e' baj} [literally, "earn that a woman respect him"]) by competing with another man.

KGT 133:  Klingons revere their ancestors, respect their elders, and have unparalleled veneration for heritage.

Trek trivia:

"Respect is earned, not bestowed." (Troi, TNG "The Icarus Factor")

Related words:

Ho' 			admire (v)
naD 			commend, praise (v)
quvmoH 		honor (v)

maw 			offend (v)
quvHa'moH  	dishonor (v)
tIch 		insult (v)
tuHmoH 		shame (someone) (v)


--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons