The Klingon Hamlet

by The Klingon Language Institute, Lawrence M. Schoen (Editor), William Shakespeare

For too long, readers throughout the Federation have been exposed to The Tragedy of Khamlet, Son of the Emperor of Qo'nos, that classic work of Klingon(TM) literature, only through inadequate and misleading English translations. Now at last, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Klingon Language Institute, this powerful drama by the legendary Klingon playwright, Wil'yam Shex'pir, can be appreciated in the elegance and glory of its original tongue. This invaluable volume contains the complete text of the play, along with an English translation for easy consultation and comparison. In addition, an incisive introduction explains the play's crucial importance in Klingon culture, while copious notes illustrate how the debased English version diverges from the original, often distorting and even reversing the actual meaning of the verses.

Khamlet, the Restored Klingon Version, is a work that belongs in the library of every human who hopes truly to understand what it means to be Klingon.

Genres: Star Trek, Shakespeare, Science Fiction, Plays, Drama, Fiction, Humor

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2000

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

How fun to have a parallel edition with the English text of Hamlet on the left page and the corresponding Klingon text of Khamlet on the right page! Then in the back are the textual notes because when the humans stole the work for themselves, they made various changes to fit peculiarities of human culture. Face it, humans are wimps compared to Klingons! And humans have no sense of operatic drama.

As far as the story goes, this is a tale in which nearly all of the characters are supposed to be noble, but most of the deaths are dishonorable. How can these schemers and back-stabbers even claim to be Klingon? They have no place in Sto-vo-kor!

Fortunately, there are a few deaths that are glorious and honorable. They stir the heart.

Another fun part of reading this play is that so many of the speeches and archaic phrases have come into the collective memory of a large number of people. Even the human version has a certain amount of memorable verses. School children should memorize these and their elders should review them often. Modern readers should pepper their conversation with terms such as "Odds bodkin!" Our lives would be so much the richer.

Do you want a book that will be worth the time you spend on it, even though it takes you away from weapons practice and other worthwhile activities? Then this is a book you should read.

[Roger]

if i ever read Hamlet, it might actually be out of this silly book. because i already have a bunch of other Star Trek super-nerd books, i'm keepin this one with those.

my copy has a bookmark left at pages 24/25 from Davis-Kidd booksellers for Holiday 2001 season

looks like they have stores in Jackson, Memphis and Nashville

[Randolph King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hamlet, in the original Klingon, actually a dual-language book. Most of the book, and all of the play’s text are in two languages on side-by-side pages.

The book is from The Restored Klingon Version provided by the Klingon Language Institute, Flourtown, Pennsylvania, by Nick Nicholas and Andrew Strader.

My favorite part of this book is the Introduction which discusses detail of the behavior of the characters and explains the unusual odd behavior for Klingons.

The book includes four appendices. The first explains some passages in terms of Klingon interpretations. The second discusses the scansion use of Hamlet in the Klingon language. The third talks about Klingon literature and its philosophies. The fourth adds a (very) few new Klingon vocabulary words.

The very end of the book includes an old-style library page and a withdrawn stamp.

It also suggests the Klingon language has come a long way from the original Klingon dictionary that came out in 1985. That dictionary provided very little beyond what was actually used on screen.

The English portion, as best I can remember, is straight Shakespeare. It seems that someone took some liberties when translating it from its Klingon form.

For instance, “maj. Qapla’, which I believe is “Good, We’re done.” is translated into the rather wordy “God be wi’ you, fare you well.” (Act II Scene 1).

There are several other passages of questionable translation that I will have to take time to translate. These include:

jImenjneS ‘e’ yIchaw’
Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord (Act I, Scene III)

Ha’, mlywDaj neH ‘oH Hu’tegh! Ha’.
Ay, fashion you may call it; go to, go to. (Act I Scene III)
This would seem an insult to a Klingon.

[Scott Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It always surprises me that people take Gorkon’s line about “original Klingon” literally when it was clearly a joke, but here, the folks at the Klingon Language Institute have posited that Hamlet was actually written by a Klingon. I admire the dedication to translating the great play. The care taken to mirror the metre and tone is wonderful, and the appendices can provide much amusement.

[Vicky Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Act Like a Warrior Seeking Revenge, or to Continue Brooding Until Your Ghost Returns Silent to the Grave- That is the Question

Khamlet, the work of the great Klingon playwright Wil'yam Shex'pir, has been restored to the original Klingon language. Reading Shex'pir from translations can be a challenge, because the culture and mindset of Terrans cause us to look at things differently. Here it is possible to enjoy the original nuance of Khamlet's words as he would have spoken them on Kronos.

"It [he?] either continues, or it [he?] doesn't continue. Now, I must consider this sentence [question?] Is he honorable, when he endures the torpedoes and phasers of aggressive Fate in the brain? Or, when he takes weapons to fight a seeming ocean of trouble, and ends them by fighting them? He sleeps. He dies - he merely dies..." - Hamlet's words from Act III, Scene I in a more literal English translated from the restored Klingon

As we've read Khamlet in the English perversion, it is easy for hu-mans to see that the play is not really about revenge at all. If it had been about revenge it would have ended in a quarter hour with a knife... or bat'leth to the heart of Khamlet's 'Uncle.' No, even in the English we understand that the play is about Hamlet's adolescent inaction and indecision. His father had been the hero of his country, a great man. And, here was the young prince dithering about like a mad man acting out his inner rage with outer soliloquies, monologuing like a villain.

"taH pagh taHbe'!" (To be or not to be?)

But, when reading this in the original Klingon the reader soon realizes that this is the very thing that is so shocking to the Klingon mind- halting in indecision. Where the Terran sees madness in the murder of polonyuS, this is the moment when the Klingon reader sees Khamlet acting in a moment of clarity and decision by taking up those arms and ending the indecision like a true warrior. Reading Khamlet in the restored original Klingon thus helps the reader to understand the words as they were written by Shex'pir himself.

I enjoyed this from the paperback format. It makes a nice diversion for lovers of languages, Shakespeare, parody, and Star Trek fans across the galaxy. Besides the dual language English/ Klingon format, it includes a few articles and appendices to enlighten the reader. And, why not read Khamlet in Klingon? ... not yap wa' Hol! (One language is never enough!) Qapla' tlhIngan SuvwI'pu' (Success Klingon Warriors!)

[Jean-Pierre Vidrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

To enjoy this book, you must already enjoy two things: Shakespeare and Star Trek. Those not liking need not bother. For those with taste, however, this book is immensely enjoyable. You don't necessarily need to have already read Hamlet to enjoy it, though that does help. You also don't have to understand Klingon fluently, though that would help. For the record, I don't know the Klingon language fluently; just a few words and phrases. This book goes beyond just translating the classic play from one language to another. I won't give away too many details, but the fiction surrounding this version of the play is that Klingons believe that Shakespeare (or Shex'pir) is their own playwright. Remember in Star Trek VI when Chancellor Gorkon remarked about reading Shakespeare in the original Klingon? He really meant that! This odd facet adds a new dimension to what I already believe is one of Shakespeare's best plays. The introductions and appendices shed light on how the Klingon language edition differs from the "Terran" version, and are enjoyable reading. Plus, if you're like me, you vividly picture the story you are reading. Just imagine those classic Shakespeare characters as Klingons! And wielding Klingon weapons! majQa'!

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So hamlet is my LC English text and when I first read it last year... Two stars. It's been 18 months, this was revision and I've been brainwashed into fondness. I know far too much about this book. As for the Klingon, it's whitty and the appendix at the back is particularly joyful, with a variety of direct translations making jokes and references to ferrengi, tribbles and Vulcans. Definitely a wonderful read!

[André · Rating 4 out of 5]

English translation on the left side, Klingon original on the right... I indeed began to read a few pages in Klingon and must say that it's quite a good translation in my opinion. I also like how the names are klingonified.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

It amuses me greatly that this exists. I hope it leads to more people actually reading the play. (Confession: My Klingon is poor, so I only read the English half and the explanations of the differences between the two, but cannot attest to the accuracy of the actual Klingon)

[Noah Bogart · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty excellent rendition of Hamlet. The Klingon is a bit rough, as the translation is older and lacking words we have now, but a fun read.

[Yael Mccue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must own for the Shakespearean Trekkie! Also a great beginner's tool to help dive into the Klingon mind

[Tom Kox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, but the joke wears off quickly. Luckily, the "translated" English text is also included, so you're reading a great piece of literature anyway.

[Jenni Frencham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially love the notes at the end. Were I still teaching high school English, this book would be on my shelf.