KIDC System of Honourifics
The Klingon Imperial Diplomatic Corps uses as system of honorifics,
which is slightly similar to the Terran use of titles (i.e.:
Lord, Lady, Sir). As a newcomer to the Klingon Empire, one begins
with no honorific. However, as one participates and contributes
to the KIDC, you will eventually be granted your first honourific
by the Ambassador herself. These honourifics are placed between
the given name (first name) and the house name or family line
(last name), there is no hyphenation.
The honorifics are in ascending order of importance:
Tai
Vestai
Sutai
Zantai
Epetai
This system is based on references found within John Ford's
novel The Final Reflection, which is an excellent book
that gives tremendous insight into Klingon culture. Within the
KIDC, these terms are always used in a capitalized format; other
Klingon groups generally use them in all lower-case letters.
Different groups have different criteria upon which honorifics
are awarded and these may not be the same from club to club;
however, it is generally wise to give respect to anyone who has
achieved an honourific of Vestai or above as they have undoubtedly
proved themselves in some manner to be worthy of respect.
Within the Klingon Imperial Diplomatic Corps, the use of honourifics
is awarded strictly for service "above and beyond"
the regular call of duty and responsibility to a specific position
or title. In other words, if a Klingon has participated in a
minimal manner and has not shown exemplary initiative or leadership
ability, they may be able to rise in rank to a certain rank,
however, they will not have earned themself an honourific.
Our intent in establishing such a strict system (compared
to other clubs where specific honourifics are matched with specific
ranks or as a stepping stone between ranks) was to make the awarding
of an honourific a matter of pride; to show that an individual
has made an extreme effort to foster and promote the ideals of
the KIDC. Such an individual would indeed be worthy of the acknowledment
and respect of other Klingons, both those within the KIDC and
those elsewhere in the Empire.
To illustrate the process a bit more clearly, we will give
you the sample history of an imaginary Klingon who joins the
KIDC. For example, when this Klingon (over the age of 20) joins
the KIDC, he would first be known as:
Sergeant Worf Kasara
After attending participating in a number of local events
and communicating with other members via e-mail, or recruiting
a few new members to the KIDC, this member might be worthy of
promotion to:
Staff Officer Worf Kasara
Staff Officer Kasara has now been active in the recruiting
and promotional aspects of the KIDC and has probably started
to put together a basic Klingon outfit. Staff Officer Worf Kasara
has also begun to participate in our online Klingon communities,
forums and mailing lists or to contribute articles, reports to
Klingon Subspace Transmissions our official online newsletter.
After checking within his department Head or other superior,
he has begun to research into the development of a promotional
or fund-raising event for the KIDC (example: car wash). After
much research, preparation and organization; Staff Officer Worf
manages to pull off the event in a very successful manner, benefitting
both his image and that of the KIDC's. As a result he might be
awarded the honorific of:
Staff Officer Worf Tai Kasara
During the next couple of months, Worf is very active in attending
local and regional conventions and has helped to staff the KIDC
display tables at these cons on a regular and reliable manner.
He has learned how to deal with the local media in a respectful
manner that does not promote mockery by the press. He has continued
to add to his Klingon costume as his time and budget allows and
wears it whenever it might contribute to the positive image of
the KIDC at related events (example: display tables at conventions,
costume competitions or masquerades). His dedicated efforst will
undoubtedly earn him a promotion to the rank of:
2nd Lieutenant Worf Tai Kasara
Worf has made a number of new contacts within the Klingon
Empire and as a result has agreed to enter into consortship with
a female member of the House of Subaiesh. His new designation
would become:
2nd Lieutenant Worf Tai Kasara-Subaiesh
Over the next year, Worf continues to contribute his efforts
to various KIDC activities and events, showing a growing sense
of accountibility and leadership ability. He shows initiative
and can handle the special duties that are assigned to him by
his department Head in a responsible manner; as a result he is
then promoted to the rank of:
Lieutenant Worf Tai Kasara-Subaiesh
and so on, and so on....
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