paq'batlh: The Klingon Epic

[qurgh_]

We have all heard of the paq'batlh, it was originally mentioned in the Voyager episode "The Barge of the Dead" and several fans have tried to make their own versions, but now you can own your own copy of the writings that make up the core of the Kahless' philosophy.

The writers of 'u', along with Marc Okrand, have restored and published this work for all to read: http://www.uitgeverij.cc/publications/paqbatlh/

I received my copy of the book on Saturday and have been reading it ever since. It tells the story of Kahless' rise to power, his defeat of both Morath (his brother) and the Tyrant Molor, the creation of Sto-vo-kor and more. It's presented in both English and Klingon, so it's accessible by all. The Klingon is relativity simple as well, so if you are a student of the language it's a very good practice text.

I highly recommend this work to every Klingon fan who follows the ideals of Kahless. It's a must for your bookshelf!

[qoSagh]

Out of curiosity, how close is this story to the book Kahless? I know this is likely to be much closer to canon and the other was specifically about tearing down the Kahless legend, but I am curious to how much of the heroic fable will match up with or at least not contradict each other.

Also I do not remember the exact references in the episode, but was it said to be only the story of Kahless or was it a collection of works. I seem to remember there being five books, but do not remember if all five were on the same subject.

House Vam'Pyr has done some good work with their version, collecting works from several fan publications.

[Lord VamPyr]

House Vam'Pyr has done some good work with their version, collecting works from several fan publications.

I am honored by your words.. I am proud of the work I accomplished.. in creating the paq'batlh.. This took much time to complete..

I have however ordered this new reference book and will be reading it.

Klingons are not only mighty in body but mighty in mind!!!

[qoSagh]

General, you honored me by my inclusion in your works. I will probably also order this new work. Klingon books are rare enough that when we see a new one, we can not help but buy it.

[QoghtlhIH'u']

Is this for real? An entire book in Klingon by Marc Okrand? That should settle some linguistic issues.
I say this because most of what Okrand produced is short texts, not stories. So now, if its real, he should have bumped into some language issues
himself if longer prose needs to be written in thlIngan Hol.

[ter'eS]

You may be right, but I wouldn't get my hopes up too much. The book is the libretto for an opera, so the language may be highly specialized. It might give us some insights into Klingon poetics, but not into narrative or expository prose.  My copy hasn't come yet; I'll let you know what I find.

[tesseraktik]

paq'batlh definitely won't revolutionize your knowledge of the language, but it certainly provides a few insights about sentence structure that can be useful. For instance, makes it quite clear that you can use two adverbials in one sentence, and that when you want to use an adverbial with the second part of a construction with 'e' or net, it comes before the 'e'/net.

For the most part, though, it's simply a very enjoyable read, both in its English version and in the Klingon one, so kudos to both Marc and Floris (et al.)

[QoghtlhIH'u']

TKD TKW CK PK SB (Skybox) KGT  p'b

Is this the right order of publications of Okrandian Canon?

 

so the language may be highly specialized. It might give us some insights into Klingon poetics, but not into narrative or expository prose. 
.

Too bad if that is the case, poetry allows lots of exceptions on the grammar for the sake of nice poetry...

For instance, makes it quite clear that you can use two adverbials in one sentence, and that when you want to use an adverbial with the second part of a construction with 'e' or net, it comes before the 'e'/net.

So this is settled then:
Du'Daq vIpoch chaq 'e' vIghojlaH
Perhaps I can learn to plant them on a farm.

I thought that two adverbials were already part of the grammar, by the way.


SachchoHtaH yajchoHghachmaj 'u' rur
our understanding continues to expand like the universe

[tesseraktik]

TKD TKW CK PK SB (Skybox) KGT  p'b

Is this the right order of publications of Okrandian Canon?

Those are most of the large ones, but I think STK (Star Trek: Klingon) belongs there, as well, between TKD and TKW, and the EuroTalk DVD between KGT and p'b. Arguably, also the Bird-of-Prey poster, between KGT and the EuroTalk DVD.

You'll find a list of smaller resources here: http://klingonska.org/canon/

For instance, makes it quite clear that you can use two adverbials in one sentence, and that when you want to use an adverbial with the second part of a construction with 'e' or net, it comes before the 'e'/net.

So this is settled then:
Du'Daq vIpoch chaq 'e' vIghojlaH
Perhaps I can learn to plant them on a farm.

Yes, indeed (although I still think it should be expressed with -meH, not 'e').

We also get to see an 'e' ("[the previous sentence]") following an 'ej ("and"); something that's long been speculated about but never confirmed.

[QoghtlhIH'u']

Well, of course it should start with ST III

I have never seen the Bird of Prey poster
but the link helps, it is very short but funny:

Qapqu' wovmoHbogh janHommey
It even has working lights!

[ter'eS]

paq'batlh definitely won't revolutionize your knowledge of the language, but it certainly provides a few insights about sentence structure that can be useful. For instance, makes it quite clear that you can use two adverbials in one sentence, and that when you want to use an adverbial with the second part of a construction with 'e' or net, it comes before the 'e'/net.

For the most part, though, it's simply a very enjoyable read, both in its English version and in the Klingon one, so kudos to both Marc and Floris (et al.)

paq'batlh is actually an amazing read! I'm about half-way through. I haven't found any new grammar, but lots of surprising ways to use the grammar we have. I'm really impressed with Marc Okrand's work.

But beyond the grammar issues, it's a really enjoyable story, very well told. I don't know how well it adheres to established Klingon canon, but it hardly matters. I feel  like I'm reading someone's actual national epic, like Gilgamesh or Beowulf or the Elder Eddas. Very impressive.

[QoghtlhIH'u']

How did you guy's get a copy of paq'batlh ?

[tesseraktik]

Agree with ter'eS; I wasn't expecting much in terms of story (mostly got it for the canon), but it really is quite good.

How did you guy's get a copy of paq'batlh ?

Got mine at qepHom wa'maHDIch.

[QoghtlhIH'u']

Are you in the picture, tesseraktik?

[tesseraktik]

Are you in the picture, tesseraktik?

Yup; far left; moustache and bandana

[ter'eS]

How did you guy's get a copy of paq'batlh ?

Ordered it from the publisher: http://www.uitgeverij.cc/publications/paqbatlh/

[Lord VamPyr]

Received mine today.. While I like the book, I find things lacking..
 
Bad things
1. The paq'batlh has five books…  each broken into tombs.. this one does not
2. The paq'batlh had glyphs(pictures) through out it.. this one does not.
3.  The paq'batlh is scrolls not a book.. this one is a book..
4. ect.
 
What I liked about it..
1. It is much like a Klingon Opera.  So purhaps the paq'batlh has different variations. Written as an opera, written as a text book, written as a epic, written as a family book.
2. The way it is written in both english and tlhingon Hol.
3. The story is very good. 
4. Did I mention tlhingon Hol!!
 
Anyway these are my thoughts..
I still like the House VamPyr version better..  now to get it translated into klingon.. qurgh??

Qapla'

[qoSagh]

I have not read this yet, but based on Lord VanPyr's likes and dislikes I will comment on a few things.

I too thought there were 5 books, however this could be one of an intended 5, or it could just be more paramount retconning.

Lack of pictures is not always a bad thing, although the lack of the on screen mentions glyphs leans more towards the retcon thing again.

As for scrolls vs. books, I do not see this as a problem. There are many older works that were initially produced as scrolls and later reissued as books. I would say that this is yet another example of this. Perhaps some Klingon artisan will take the time to produce a scrolled version in tlhIngan Hol piQaD, what a momentous work that would be!

Klingon opera is something I would love to know more about and work more on. We have only seen very small clips and most of those from a chef who also sings.

I think writing it dual languages is cools and it helps a great deal for those that are learning how to translate things.

How could a story about Klingons be less than good?

I think I will have to buy this one. or perhaps it will come as a gift, one never knows.

[qurgh_]

Bad things
1. The paq'batlh has five books…  each broken into tombs.. this one does not
2. The paq'batlh had glyphs(pictures) through out it.. this one does not.
3.  The paq'batlh is scrolls not a book.. this one is a book..
4. ect.

Some comments on these, based on my reading of the book:

1) The original paq'batlh TV episode doesn't say how many books there are, only that's it's made of multiple texts and contains the story of Kahless
2) The original scroll based version of the paq'batlh is written in no' Hol pIqaD, which is a form of Klingon that no one can read. This translation is in ta' Hol and was reconstructed from various "sources" which include little of the orginal no' Hol.
3) Scrolls are the ancient version of books, so it makes sense that a modern publishing of a work would be in book form. This isn't supposed to be an original paq'batlh, but a "modern translation".

I too thought there were 5 books, however this could be one of an intended 5, or it could just be more paramount retconning.

Lack of pictures is not always a bad thing, although the lack of the on screen mentions glyphs leans more towards the retcon thing again.

The books had nothing to do with Paramount or CBS, it was done by Marc, the 'u' Opera people and the KLI so it's not really a retconn, more of a group of fans' concept of what the paq'batlh would be that was then canonized by Okrand. This is primarily a Klingon language canon source text more than it is a book for general Klingon fans... but because it's so good it works for general Klingon fans too. The paq'batlh actually has 5 "books" in it (lut cherlu', yav, raD, QIH and bertlham) so it would fit the 5 books concept (books, in ancient times, were much shorter than books today, for comparison there are 4 or 5 books in the Bible that are only 1 chapter long).

As for a scroll version, I've been thinking about that since I got my copy. I created pIqaD books before (I have "Collected Works of Shakespeare" in pIqaD and a Tao Teh Ching in pIqaD), but a scroll is a different puppy. I've yet to find a machine that can print them, so it would most likely have to be done by hand (unless the scroll has broken into multiple pages...).

[qoSagh]

I have seen scrolls that are broken down into pages, with all the pages attached at the sides. The scroll is then unrolled to reveal the needed page. I can also see one where instead of being rolled on the sides it is rolled on the top and bottom with all the pages attached end to end. I suppose this could be done with some sort of tape, but one long piece of paper would be better. Well as long as we are dreaming, then one long piece of vellum, instead of paper. Come to think of it, most long scrolls have to have seams of some sort as sheep are just not that long.

[j'onn]

I, for one, am very much looking forward to this (thanks qurgh, for the heads up about it).

I think, from a musical standpoint (since I'm assuming this is what the KTRE 'u' opera is based on), it will might raise more questions than answers.

The book is the libretto for an opera, so the language may be highly specialized.

I can't speak for the paq'batlh but terran opera and dramatic music genres span a whole range of language style usages.  Just in Western opera alone we can have the relatively stilted (and almost childish) Stabreim used in much of Wagner's musical dramas (e.g. The Ring Cycle), to the relatively florid and poetic Italian opera.  Most English Operas (whether British or American) tend to use much more natural language.  But it seems like from what everyone is reporting here, the grammar is pretty standard.  You get out of the Western world (e.g. Chinese Opera, Persian Ta'zieh, Keralan Kathakali, Thai Khon, Japanese Kabuki) and we can find as much variety in language usage as well.

1. It is much like a Klingon Opera.  So purhaps the paq'batlh has different variations. Written as an opera, written as a text book, written as a epic, written as a family book.

There was a recent piece in the Chronicle of Higher Education about the Censorship of A. K. Ramanujan's essay, "Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translation" which is a scholarly work that talks specifically about the issue of cultural variations on this Indian Epic.  For example, since I was born in Thailand, I'm much more familiar with the Thai version, Ramakien (which is used as the narrative basis for the Thai Khon I mentioned above), than the Indian Ramayana. 

Side note--the Ramayana is the third longest piece of Epic literature in the history of terrankind.  The Indian Mahabharata is the longest, followed by the Tibetan Epic of King Gesar.  To give some perspective, the Mahabharata is roughly ten times the length of the Greek Iliad and Odyssey combined, or roughly four times the length of the Ramayana.

Different cultures will emphasize different features of the epic as well as having completely different narrative material.  Really, it's no different than, say, the Bible in the West.  The canonical form we're used to in the West is very different than the pre-fourth century versions (as well as non Catholic/Protestant versions in the Orthodox Eastern branches of Christianity).  Most of us don't know what the Apochrypha is, nor do we include readings from the Gnostic Gospels in church services, for example.

I always found it interesting that Voyager series seemed to really touch on religious themes in Klingon culture in ways none of the other series did, with the exception of the episode in DS9 "You Are Cordially Invited" which had the Klingon wedding scene.

I feel  like I'm reading someone's actual national epic, like Gilgamesh or Beowulf or the Elder Eddas.

And this is one reason why I am SO glad this has been written because how oral epics are performed is generally so very different than how a multi-media genre like Opera is performed.  I know qurgh and I have discussed this elsewhere but here's how I look at some of these things.

Compare and contrast Benjamin Bagby's recreation of Anglo Saxon Scopic tradition in this excerpt of Beowulf and this example of a Serbian Guslar with this battle scene from Verdi's il Trovatore or this battle scene from a Chinese Opera or this horse battle scene from a Persian Ta'zieh.

I guess if this version of paq'batlh is written more like an epic rather than as an opera libretto or dramatic script, then it would more likely be a version performed in the Beowulf or Guslar (solo bard) style rather than what we might think of as a multi-media presentation like an Opera or staged dramatic form as in the latter three examples (or for those of you that recall the Kot'baval festival from the TNG episode "Firstborn").

Klingon opera is something I would love to know more about and work more on. We have only seen very small clips and most of those from a chef who also sings.

I think the two songs that the Klingon Chef sings aren't technically Klingon Opera.  The scripts describe “Aler acht’jar” (DS9: “Melora”) and
‘aqla’ bela Du (DS9: “Playing God”) as a "Klingon Folk song" and "Klingon Love song" (bang bom in KGT) respectively, if I recall correctly.

The Klingon Opera, as they appear in the series (according to the script) are as follows (those in italics only being referred to but not actually heard in the episodes):

• ‘aqtu’ mellota’ je – Klingon Opera, excerpt sung by Worf and Amelie in TNG: “Unification II” (“Aktuh and Maylota” in script; “Aktuh and Melota” in TKW)
• “BOOOOW-cha-daaay”  – a duet from a Klingon Opera (referred to as a “Klingon La Boheme” in the script) that Worf sings (and acts) along with in the Defiant during DS9: “Looking For par’Mach in All the Wrong Places;” a shorter excerpt from the same opera is heard in the episode of DS9: “In The Cards” while Nog is filtering out subharmonic frequencies in Worf’s Klingon Opera collection.
• gav’ot toH’va – Klingon Opera, sung by Worf (offscreen) while trapped in an escape pod in DS9: “Penumbra”
• Kak-lah, Kak-lah – omitted scene from DS9: “The Alternate” (lyrics in script).
• Kot’baval – an annual festival that celebrates the battle between Molor and Kahless referred to as a “Klingon Street Opera” in the script to TNG: “Firstborn”
• qul tuq – an aria (for female voice?) from this Klingon Opera is sung on the STK CD-Rom game.
• Shevok’tah gish – Klingon Opera, mentioned by Ezri Dax in DS9: “Penumbra”

There are tons of references in the ST novels, and we obviously have 'u' now as well as stuff my Klingon band has written, but as far as the canonical stuff goes--the above is all I think there is (unless someone can remember anything else).