The Klingon Language

The Klingon language (tlhIngan Hol, in Klingon) is the language spoken by the warring culture known as the Klingons, who inhabit the virtual realm of the Star Trek universe.  Unlike most languages, which evolve over time by a developing culture, Klingon was intentionally designed by Planet Earth linguist Marc Okrand.  Based heavily on Star Trek/Klingon-related concepts which evolve around spacecraft and warfare, the Klingon language is understandably awkward for everyday use by non-Klingons.  (For instance, while there is a term for the bridge of a ship (meH) there is no word for a bridge that crosses water.)  Purposefully constructed to sound "alien,” Klingon has a number of typologically uncommon linguistic features.  But, while it was Okrand who succeeded in developing the Klingon language into a fully-functioning, grammatically complete language, the language’s basic sound, along with the first few words, was created by Enterprise Chief Engineer Montgomery “Scotty” Scott (James Doohan) for Star Trek: The Motion Picture.  Read more . . .

Brad Pitt and the Pikey Culture: a Look at the Shelta Language

If you're a Brad Pitt fan and have seen the new cult classic, Snatch, then you're already familiar with the Pikey language.  The term “pikey” is a pejorative, slang term used mainly in the UK to refer to Irish Travellers, Gypsies, and people of low social class.  The Irish of the "pikey" culture, however, refer to themselves as “Pavees,” and call their language (which is neither Irish nor English) Shelta.  Brought to the US during the late 19th century, the derivative “piker” is used even today in Appalachian America to refer to someone who is stingy.  Found in old English, "pikey" has long been associated with itinerant life and constant travel, with pikey directly derived from "pike," which during the 16th century meant to "go away from, to go on" and related to the words turnpike (toll-road) and pike-man (toll-collector).  Read more . . .

The Rules of Grammar: What Purpose Do They Really Serve?

Every day in classrooms across America, children and adults alike are instructed in the fine art of grammar, the speaking, usage, and writing of the English language in its "proper" form.  "Between him and me is what you really meant to say," you can hear an instructor of Standardized American English (SAE) saying, " . . . not "he and I."  But, what makes one word choice "correct" while another is not?   In a word, PRESCRIPTION.  And whether you label it "tradition," "standards," or just "the way of educated people," it boils down to one group of people establishing the "proper" way to communicate for another.  And from the anthropological perspective, it’s just another means of establishing societal dominance and class distinctions, and most often results in accomplishing little more than erasing cultural identity.  Read more . . .