[Tlhingan-hol] Close female friend of a male?

[Steven Boozer]

ghItlhpu' naHQun, jatlh:
> We have chaj and maqoch for close friends of the same gender, but no
> words for close friends of the opposite gender.

jang Quvar, jatlh:
> I first I had the idea to extend the meaning and "misuse" the word, but 
> now I just read in KGT that doing exactly this is not allowed:

QeS:
>> Indeed. To do so is highly insulting.

taH:
> On the previous page, it is suggested to use {jupna'} for close friends, 
> "real friend, good friend".

QeS:
>> Ah, yes! Thanks for reminding me of that passage.

Here's the passage (KGT p. 202f.) in its entirety:

   The normal word for "friend" is {jup} and it may be used in direct address in sentences such as {jup 'Iw HIq yItlhutlh} ("Friend, drink the bloodwine"). It commonly occurs with the possessive suffix {-wI'} (my): {jupwI' 'Iw HIq yItlhutlh} ("My friend, drink the bloodwine"). The word {jup}, however, does not necessarily connote a close friend. For this, one may add the noun suffix {-na'} (definite) to the word and say {jupna'} ("real friend, good friend"):  {jupna' 'Iw HIQ yItlhutlh} ("Good friend, drink the bloodwine") or {jupna'wI' 'Iw HIq yItlhutlh} ("My good friend, drink the bloodwine"). In addition, however, there are some other terms used for very close friends, and the correct usage depends, among other things, on the gender of the speaker and the addressee.
   The word {maqoch}, sometimes translated as "buddy" or "pal", is used most often by a male addressing another male who is a good friend, as in {maqoch 'Iw HIq yItlhutlh} ("Pal, drink the bloodwine"). When used in such a context, it signifies genuine companionship. If, however, it is used by someone who is definitely not a good friend, such as a member of a house with which one has been feuding, it is considered offensive. Furthermore, if used by a casual acquaintance, it may be taken as a sign of aggression; Klingons are generally apprehensive about those showing too much friendship. A Klingon female would address someone as {maqoch} only if she intended to insult him or her. A Klingon male with any honor at all would never address a female as {maqoch}. The word {maqoch} itself may derive from {may' qoch} (literally, "battle partner"), so perhaps it originally meant something like "war buddy". 
   There is a word that Klingon females use in a pattern paralleling the males' use of {maqoch}. This word is {chaj}, a close female friend of a female. As with {maqoch}, it is used only in addressing a true friend. If uttered by a female adversary, it is insulting; if uttered by a casual acquaintance it is presumptuous. A male Klingon would address a female Klingon as {chaj} only to offend her. If a male were to be addressed as {chaj}, by either a male or a female, he would consider his honor to be attacked and would react accordingly. 
   It is not uncommon for a Klingon father to address his son as {maqoch} or for a Klingon mother to address her daughter as {chaj}. The reverse, however, is not true. That is, a son would never call his father {maqoch}, nor would a daughter address her mother as {chaj}. 
   Because of the dangers inherent in using {maqoch} and {chaj} inappropriately, it is suggested that visitors be quite sure of the status of their relationships with individual Klingons before uttering or reacting to either of these words.


FYI {jup} in canon:

KGT 40:  Use of these otherwise bizarre constructions indicates an unusual closeness between the possessor and what is possessed, comparable to the Federation Standard practice of using a derogatory epithet to show affection (as in "John, you [epithet], it's good to see you"). Indeed, this is the best interpretation of a phrase heard among Klingons who are particularly good friends: {wIj jup} ("friend mine"). A translation such as "my very good friend" or "my dear old friend" may come closer to what is intended. It is not known with certainty why this construction is found predominantly among the higher classes..." 

  nIteb Qob qaD jup 'e' chaw'be' SuvwI' 
  A warrior does not let a friend face danger alone. TKW

  may'Daq jaHDI' SuvwI' juppu'Daj lonbe' 
  When a warrior goes to a battle, he does not abandon his friends. TKW

  SIQwI' lu'oy'moHmeH juppu'Daj 'oy'naQmey lo' chaH 
  The Painstik is employed by friends of the recipient... S32

  HIjol, jup 
  Beam me up, mate. RTb

... and {jupna'}:

"In the future, you and the Klingons will become fast friends." 
(Ayelborne to Kirk, TOS "Errand of Mercy")

  DaHjaj matlh jupna' pIpong 
  Today we name you a true friend of Maltz. FMC

  matlh jupna' wa'DIch
  [i.e. Marc Okrand] FMC

  tlhIngan wo' jupna'!
  [common Okrand inscription on books/photos] 

Finally, if you really don't like {jup[na']} we have {qoch} "partner" and (if related) {tuqnIgh} "member of one's house" which are presumably gender-neutral.


--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons