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

[Steven Boozer]

> Klingon word: yan
> Part of speech: verb
> Definition: wield or use or manipulate a sword

Used in canon:

naH jajmeywIj betleH vIyanbe' 
In my vegetable days, I did not wield a bat'leth. KGT


KGT 79:  ... in addition to saying {betleH yan} (He/she wields a bat'leth), one could say {betleH raQ} (He/she controls a bat'leth).

KGT 61:  There is also the verb {yan}, which means "wield or manipulate (a sword)". A swordfighter, then, would be a {yanwI'}, literally a "sword wielder"); the word for the specific type of sword may be, but need not be, included. It is thus proper to say {betleH yanwI'} (bat'leth wielder) or {betleH yan} (He/she wields a bat'leth)."

KGT 59-60:  There is an extensive vocabulary for the moves associated with bat'leth use. To thrust or lunge toward one's opponent, for example, is {jop}. To deflect a thrust-that is, to parry--is {way'}. To thrust either end of the bat'leth (as opposed to the long part of the blade) upward is {chaQ}. To change the approximate orientation of the weapon from horizontal to vertical is {ngol}; the reverse is {lev}. To slide the blade of one's bat'leth along the blade of the opponent's weapon is {DIj}. To twirl or rotate the bat'leth is {jIrmoH} and to toss it from one hand to the other (the same word is used whether left to right or right to left) is {baQ}.

N.B. for wielding axes & clubs use {Qach}.

Note the homophonous noun {yan} "sword":

KGT 60f.:  The word {'etlh} is used for sword in general, but it really means blade of any kind... Another word normally translated sword, {yan}, is more specific, referring to swords (that is, weapons with long blades) only.


--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons