TGV/MGV - Lesson 19
Ba-|Iyi-Gol-Vuhlkansu - Tupa 19

HONORIFICS
Dorlanlar

Example Vocabulary
Li-Falik Zhit-Feim

Oekon God, the Supreme Being (ekon = a god)
Ofereiksu the Creator (fereiksu = creator, inventer)
Ohashsu ace, expert pilot (hashsu = flier, pilot)
Oko-mekh mother (literally "honored mother")
Opidsu Lord (pidsu = lord)
Opilsu chef (pilsu = cook, food preparer)
Osa-mekh father (literally "honored father")
Osavensu teacher (literally "honored teacher", as a token of respect)
Oveh saint (literally "honored one")

Oko|su| lady/madam (literally "honored woman")
Osa|su| gentleman/sir (literally "honored man")
Osu gentleman/sir, lady/madam (generic term, literally "honored person")
Osular gentlemen/sirs, ladies, ladies & gentlemen (literally "honored people")

Onash-veh me (when spoken by a superior about themselves, literally "honored this-one")
Odu you (to a superior or honored person, literally "honored you-singular")
Oish-veh he, she (about a superior or honored person, literally "honored that-one")
Oetwel we, us (when spoken by superiors about themselves, literally "honored we/us")
Odular you (to superiors or honored persons, literally "honored you-plural")
Oau they, them (about superiors or honored persons, literally "honored they/them")


Notes
Pitohlar

The use of "honorifics" is very common in all the Vulcan languages, including the Golic languages. This is to be expected in a culture that puts great emphasis on honoring elders, philosophers, teachers and superiors of any kind. This can be traced back into the dim past of Vulcan when the planet had classes that were strongly stratified. Indeed, life on Vulcan in some subcultures was once divided into a social system somewhat reminiscent of the caste system of India on Earth. Each social strata would use forms of words more formal or honorific when addressing or referring to those in a more superior position. This discussion will also be continued in the following, complementary lesson on modes of speech.

In Golic Vulcan, there are a number of examples of one word used for normal usage and a variant used when addressing or referring to something or someone "honored" or "greatly admired". Also, people in a higher status may use words that people in a lower status do not. These types of words will be addressed in the next lesson.

In addition, the prefix "o" -- which has no exact FSE translation but "honorable" is considered closest in meaning -- is directly affixed to the word it modifies. Examples: "Osu", literally "honored person", but usually translated as "sir" or "madam", depending on the context; and "osavensu" (honored teacher), which is nearly always used in preference over "savensu" (teacher). Almost any noun can be prefixed this way, but some words could be taken as sarcastic or insulting if made into an "honorific". For example, "Oguhsh-masu", literally "honored sewage".

Children of a family or clan almost always use the honorific form of "father" or "mother", etc., when addressing their elders. Thus, "osa-mekh" (honored father) instead of "sa-mekh" and "oko-mekh" (honored mother) instead of "ko-mekh".

Also, linked to honor, the prefix "o" can mean an upgrade in status for a word, for example, "pilsu" (cook, food preparer) but "opilsu" (chef), or "hashsu" (pilot) but "ohashsu" (ace, expert pilot).

Despite potential spelling or pronunciation confusion, "o" is always directly affixed to a word whether it begins with a consonent or vowel sound. An "honorific" word is the only time you will possibly see a Golic Vulcan word start with three vowels. But remember to always pronounce the "o" separate from the following vowel(s), so it sounds like a prefixed " o' ". An example would be "oau", which, of course, is pronounced like "o'au" in Golic Vulcan.


There are no exercises for this lesson.


The student is encouraged to experiment creating honorifics from words in the dictionaries.

This lesson was put online on
January 5, 2001.
and was updated on
January 10, 2005.




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