Language Talking about sex in Klingon is possible
"Star Trek" fans have only been able to talk about sexuality in the artificial language Klingon for a few years. Fans of the alien language have been waiting years for this, as a Klingon expert told the German news agency DPA.
21.04.2025, 04:34
SDA
It took a long time for the 40-year-old language to acquire Klingon words for sexual intercourse, genitals, kissing and orgasm, Klingon expert and teacher Lieven L. Litaer told DPA in Saarbrücken.
New words are requested every year by fans of the extraterrestrial "Trekkie" language. In 2022, the US linguist Marc Okrand, who developed the language, invented Klingon words for biological sex (ghaQpey") and chosen sex (HuQ "am).
Litaer has written a book about the history of the language's origins, which is due to be published in mid-May under the title "Klingon - From Prop to Cult". "Basically, it contains everything you could possibly want to know about Klingon," said the 45-year-old, who has been offering language courses in Saarbrücken for more than 20 years. Klingon now comprises a good 5300 words. In 2024, 130 new words were added.
"Klingon is being taken more seriously"
Initially, Klingon was a rudimentary language with 1800 words, which then grew over the years. It has been around since 1984, and the first official dictionary was published a year later. Okrand had designed the Klingon language on behalf of Paramount Pictures for the cult series "Star Trek".
It sounds deliberately alien and does not resemble any earthly language, said Litaer. He estimates that 50 people worldwide speak this language fluently. In addition, there are thousands who are learning Klingon. "The language is taken more seriously today," the language expert also reports in his new book. "Whereas in the beginning it was just some funny gimmick for a movie, it has become socially acceptable."
Words also for Covid-19 and Ukraine
Today, the words cover almost all areas of life. "If something is missing, it is terms for things or emotions that are "typically earthly", which Klingons would never do," said Litaer, citing the word schadenfreude as an example. The vocabulary is also expanding in line with the times. Words for Covid-19 and the coronavirus were added during the coronavirus era. The word for Ukraine followed later.
For many people around the world, the TV series "Star Trek" is still cult even more than 50 years after it was first broadcast. "Klingon has also achieved cult status," said Litaer.
