School Project in Klingon

[efrias]

To anyone willing to help a student.
I am studying Language and Culture at the University of Nevada Reno and chose to do a study on Klingon. I would like my data to be as accurate as possible and I would like to express how it has developed from a "made for TV" language to a full fledged language. I will need to use some of the responses in my paper and I would like to state that I will take measures to assure privacy and I will write my paper with the utmost respect for your community. Anyone interested in helping me please respond. Thank you
E. Frias

[Kesvirit]

Greetings, E. Frias, and welcome to the Forums!

I am on furlough from a war with an enemy House, and must regretably be brief. (Stop that sniggering back there or continue at your peril! I can too be brief!)

I can tell you that “tlIngan Hol,” the words for “Klingon language,” was originally developed not for the Trek television franchise, but much earlier for the movie Star Trek II:TWOK. Leonard Nimoy was so impressed with Vulcan dialogue written by linguist Mark Okrand for the turbolift scene between Spock and Saavik that he wanted something similar to lend detail and authenticity to the Klingon characters when he directed Star Trek III:TSFS. See the video linked to in the first post of the Mark Okrand Video for more of the story.

I also recommend you investigate the video Earthlings: Ugly Bags of Mostly Water.

When is your paper due? Knowing your deadline might help potential responders in tailoring the level of detail and complexity of their posts. No point in bombarding a newcomer with technicalities they are unlikely to understand or be able to use.

It has been my experience here at the Forums that the more specific the questions asked, the more likely one is to get concrete, useful answers. As much as I love to argue broad-based, throw-the-doors-open questions and topics, they do require a lot more time, thought, and work to respond to. I suspect that even those posters enthusiastic about such a topic are less likely to have the time to put into a comprehensive answer.  To paraphrase a... somewhat respected enemy (I hate working from memory), “It is difficult to know the answer when one does not understand the question.”  Is there specific information you seek?

Wishing you Qapla’! (success!) on your study,
-=- Kesvirit

[efrias]

Thanks for your help Kesvirit.
So far I have accumulated a lot of what I need from viewing the blogs. I need to demonstrate how "interactions rely on shared linguistic and cultural knowledge." So far this site has been very helpful by just observing. However, I do have a question for you. When you have a rank, or state your name with a rank, is that your rank within your club? Also is it personally assigned or do you have to move up by "earning your stripes" like in the military?

As for the due date, I only have a week left. But I have been working on this for about a month now. I appreciate your answer, I didn't think anyone would reply, seeing as how I am not a part of the community...

Seen the MO video. Got a lot of info from that. I tried to view the Earthlings movie but they wanted money...I am a student surviving on Top Ramen, so regrettably I can't view it.
 
Later,
E. Frias