Hoch SuvwI'pu', Savan.

Recently I attended the Klingon Language Institutes qep'a' and got to spend almost a whole week among a group of true warriors. While the group wasn't big, there was only about twenty attendants, I got the chance to experience something that had, until that point, only been a dream. I used Klingon, and not just in stuttering sentences were every word had to be looked up, but in normal conversation.

To many within Fandom the Klingon language is an afterthought. Most consider it difficult to learn and somewhat pointless, since they don't know anyone who speaks it. After attending the qep'a' though all such thoughts have been cast from my mind.

There has also been a recent increase of interest in the language since the release of the new movie. An official Klingon language application has been released for both the iPhone and Windows. New translations are in the works and now the Klingon Christmas Carol is doing a full run in the theatre. Klingon is spoken daily on social network sites like Twitter and Facebook, and there has been a sudden increase in the amount of pIqaD (the Klingon writing system) that is being used.

Klingon fandom has something that no other fan group on the planet can claim. We have a fully working official language that is taylored to our obsession. We have, thanks to the work of the Klingon Language Institute, translations of popular works and the list of books keeps growing. As long as Star Trek is around, the Klingon language will be there with it.

While the KLI's main focus is on scholarly exploration of the language, KAG's focus is on costuming and roleplay. The KLI isn't going to help you name your ship or translate your rank. So, to fill that void, we have created a new division within KAG called Hol 'ampaS (Language Academy). The role of the Hol 'ampaS division is to help KAG members learn more about the language. We will give members help translating name/ships/stories/etc, find others to practice with and much more. All members are welcome to join and those that are bold enough will be able to prove their language skills to receive special titles.

You can find the Hol 'ampaS's main portal by accessing http://hol.kag.org/. Currently we have a fully searchable Klingon dictionary, a basic grammar guide, a number of short lessons, language games, flashcards to teach you words, forums for discussing the language and many more resources. Everything has been setup to make learning the warrior's tongue easy. All we are missing right now is you!

So even if you only have a passing interest in tlhIngan Hol, stop by, sign up and try learning some words, so that next time you meet with your ship mates you can blow them away with your new found language skills. If we all unlock the language warriors within us, then we can bring this language alive together and Klingon will truly become the fastest growing language in the galaxy!

tlhIngan Hol DaghojtaHvIS Qapla' DaSamjaj.

Captain qurgh sutai-lungqIj
Hol 'ampaS DevwI'
Cold Steel Quadrant Commander
For KAG