[Tlhingan-hol] qep'a' Proverbs

[Steven Boozer]

Okrand added a bit to this explanation in HolQeD 5.1:

  Infrequently the singular {pegh} "secret" (rather than the plural {peghmey})
  is heard, shortening the construction to {pegh vIttlhegh}. Since {pegh} is
  also a verb (meaning "keep something secret"), {pegh vIttlhegh} can also be
  interpreted as a sentence meaning something like "a proverb keeps things
  secret," that is, it withholds information rather than being a ready source
  of answers. To some Klingons, this is a most insightful coincidence.

--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons

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From: qurgh lungqIj [mailto:qurgh at wizage.net] 
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2014 1:09 PM

> I'm wondering...
> How are these actually used in the context of Klingon conversation? For
> example, the Secrecy Proverb (I really don't understand what that title mean
> BTW) I see being used in a situation where a stupid idea has been proposed
> (like, say, mating with Be'tor) and an older, wiser Klingon pointing out
> that it would *never* happen.

Power Klingon explains the situations where Secrecy proverbs are used:
"Another set of proverbs also proves very useful in many kinds of
situations. They are known collectively as the "secrecy proverbs", probably
because they are most frequently used in situations where you want to show
that you can keep a secret under *any* conditions. We will go over the most
common secrecy proverbs.

Suppose you want to buy some ion-ray triggers from a Klingon arms dealer on
one of the outer planets. The sale is perfectly legal, but skirmishes
between Ferengi and Klingons have broken out in a nearby sector and the
dealer suspects that if the location of his supply on this frontier is
given away, a Ferengi raiding party may take his entire stash. Before he
takes you to his supply, he must be reassured. You sense his heightened
suspicions. The deal, and maybe your life, depends on assuring him that you
can keep a secret. You have already clearly indicated through your choice
of phrases that you know and respect the ideals of behavior but accuracy,
straightforwardness, aggressiveness, and strength only indicate that you
are a worthy opponent. What he now really wants to know is if you are a
worthy confidante. You need to show your capacity for secrecy. What can you
do?

Sensing your trust has been challenged you can flip out one of these "secrecy
proverbs" as confidently as one might flip on a cloaking device on the
way to battle."

qurgh