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PIKAD
paQDI'norgh
PAQDI'NORG
AN ALIEN WRITING SYSTEM PRIMER
Prepared as a project for the Interstellar Language School
Box 281
Red Lake Falls, MN 56705
by G.F. Proechel
Copyright applied for 1994
All rights reserved
ngaS mI'vam Table of Contents
pIqaD paQDI'norgh i
pIqaD Romanized pIqad Romanized
B b C ch
D D G gh
H H J j
L l M m
N n F ng
P p K q
Q Q R r
S S T t
X tlh V v
W w Y y
' '
A a E e
I I O o
U u
pIqaD paQDI'norgh ii
taghpa' Introduction
Klingon is usually written in its Roman phonetic form, i.e., it uses the characters of the
English alphabet to create the sounds of the Klingon word (pIn tIn). Klingon has its
own alphabet however called the pIqaD. The pIqaD used by Paramount Pictures
primarily as a decoration, but the Klingon Language Institute and other fan groups use
it not only as calligraphy, but as a means of communication. The form of pIqaD taught
in this text was created by Astra Image Corporation and the one recognized by the
Klingon Language Institute. The handwritten form was developed by the Interstellar
Language School for use by students of this text. The pIqaD has 26 letters, the same
number of letters that are in our alphabet. There is not however a one to one
relationship of the Klingon alphabet with the English alphabet and the sounds are
different in many cases.
The pIqaD is not difficult by Terran standards and can be learned very quickly if one
approaches the task properly. First one must practice reading and writing the new
forms until they become old friends. The text will be broken down into lessons that will
introduce the student to a few letters at a time.
Each lesson will present these characters in the Klingon script; present a handwritten
version easily created using a pen or pencil; and then the Roman phonetic version used
in the Klingon Language Dictionary written by Marc Okrand. The presentation of the
pIqaD will be followed by an explanation of the letter, a page to practice writing the
handwritten form and finally an exercise to decipher the pIqaD letters to make an
English word.
In this lesson you will learn five letters from the pIqaD. Two of the letters are vowels.
In English the vowels are a, e, i, o, u and sometimes y. Strange enough, the Klingon
vowels resemble the English vowels in sound, but their visual representation looks
different than in their English counter parts.
L l
S S
I or I
A or a
D or D
Because both letters have the L shape an easy way to remember them can be to think of
the word LASSO. The L in the word can correlate to the first L shape (L) which is the
Klingon letter l and the SS represents the second L shape (S) which is the Klingon
letter S.
I ( or ) looks like the English letter Y, but is actually the Klingon letter I.
A ( or ) looks like the English letter E, but is actually the Klingon letter a.
It may be helpful to think of the word EAR for the a, The shape of an E with the
meaning of A (E = A -- r.) The same method may be used for the letter I by using the
word YIPEE. The shape of a Y with the meaning of I (Y = I --pee.)
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 1
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wa' Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 1
Using the examples below practice writing the letters being learned in this lesson.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 2
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wa' Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 1
The following exercise uses the pIqaD script for English words. Decipher the words
into their English equivalent and then rewrite them back into the pIqaD using the
handwritten form shown in this lesson.
L ( ), S ( ), A ( ), I ( ), D ( )
pIqaD English Handwritten
1. IS __________ __________
2. AS __________ __________
3. AD __________ __________
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 3
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wa' Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 1
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 4
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' cha' Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 2
In this lesson you will learn three new letters from the pIqaD. One of the letters will be
a vowel.
T or t
P or p
U u
T( or ) As you can see, this is a check mark with a hook on both ends.
P( or ) This letter resembles the number 7.
If you can remember check out (associated with the t at the end of out) you should be
able to remember that the check mark is a t. with this method in mind remember 7-UP
(associate with the p at the end of UP) it should help to recall this letter.
U ( ) You learned that the vowel a (A) looks like a slanted E, by removing the center
line you get the look of another vowel u (U). The look is more evident using the
handwritten version of the letter.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 5
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' cha' Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 2
Using the examples below practice writing the letters being learned in this lesson.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 6
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' cha' Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 2
The following exercise uses the pIqaD script for English words. Decipher the words
into their English equivalent and then rewrite them back into the pIqaD using the
handwritten form shown in this and the previous lesson.
T ( ), P ( ), U ( ), L ( ), S ( ), A ( ), I ( ), D ( ).
2. UP __________ __________
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 7
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' cha' Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 2
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 8
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wej Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 3
In this lesson you will learn four new letters from the pIqaD. One of the letters will be a
vowel.
G or gh
E or e
M or m
N or n
G ( or ) What looks like a large capital I represents the Klingon letter gh. We will
use it in the practice words like the English letter g.
You might think of bIg (the capital I is followed by a g) to help you remember.
You could think of this as an incomplete E (with the middle and bottom line missing --
E).
In the English alphabet the letter m come before the letter n. The letter m looks a funny
cane ( ). When you place a line in the middle it becomes a slanted F ( ) which is the
letter m.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 9
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wej Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 3
Using the examples below practice writing the letters being learned in this lesson.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 10
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wej Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 3
The following exercise uses the pIqaD script for English words. Decipher the words
into their English equivalent and then rewrite them back into the pIqaD using the
handwritten form shown in this and the previous lessons.
G ( ), E ( ), M ( ), N ( ),T ( ), P ( ), U ( ), L ( ), S ( ), A ( ),
I ( ), D ( ).
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 11
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wej Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 3
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 12
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' loS Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 4
In this lesson you will learn three new letters from the pIqaD. Two of the letters will be
vowels.
O or o
Y or y
R r
You may find it easy to remember this letter by thinking of the word soap. The first
two letter are the key to this memory aid. s = o.
You may find it easy to remember this letter by thinking of black Dye. Black sounds
like Back then the first two letter complete memory aid. Black (backward) D = y -- a
backwards capital D is the Klingon y.
R( ) Looks like a capital F with a weak back, but is actually the Klingon letter r.
You may find it easy to remember this letter by thinking of the word Friend. The first
two letters are the key to this memory aid. F = r.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 13
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' loS Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 4
Using the examples below practice writing the letters being learned in this lesson.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 14
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' loS Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 4
The following exercise uses the pIqaD script for English words. Decipher the words
into their English equivalent and then rewrite them back into the pIqaD using the
handwritten form shown in this and the previous lessons.
O ( ), Y ( ), R ( ),G ( ), E ( ), M ( ), N ( ),T ( ), P ( ), U ( ),
L ( ), S ( ), A ( ), I ( ), D ( ).
2. OR __________ __________
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 15
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' loS Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 4
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 16
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' vagh Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 5
In this lesson you will learn two new letters from the pIqaD.
F or ng
B b
F( or ) Looks like a flat headed reverse 3, but is the Klingon letter ng.
You may find it easy to remember this letter by thinking of a black 3 ring binder. We
used black before because it sounds like back the 3 is the shape of the letter black 3
(backwards three) and the last two letters of ring are ng which is the Klingon letter.
Black (backward) 3 = ng.
B( ) Looks like a funny shaped reverse capital y, but it is actually the Klingon letter
b.
You may find it easy to remember using the phrase "why be good?" The sound of the
word why can be heard in the letter y. The sound of b is heard in the letter b. (y = b)
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 17
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' vagh Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 5
Using the examples below practice writing the letters being learned in this lesson.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 18
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' vagh Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 5
The following exercise uses the pIqaD script for English words. Decipher the words
into their English equivalent and then rewrite them back into the pIqaD using the
handwritten form shown in this and the previous lessons.
9. BY __________ __________
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 19
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' vagh Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 5
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 20
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' jav Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 6
In this lesson you will learn two new letters from the pIqaD.
V v
H or H
You may find it easy to remember to remember by thinking of the word cave. The first
and third letter are the key -- c = v.
You may find it easy to remember by thinking of the word pHone. The first two letters
are the key for this memory aid -- p = H.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 21
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' jav Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 6
Using the examples below practice writing the letters being learned in this lesson.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 22
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' jav Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 6
The following exercise uses the pIqaD script for English words. Decipher the words
into their English equivalent and then rewrite them back into the pIqaD using the
handwritten form shown in this and the previous lessons.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 23
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' jav Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 6
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 24
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' Soch Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 7
In this lesson you will learn two new letters from the pIqaD. These two characters are
represented in the phonetic as a capital Q and a small q. Both letters have a variation of
the English k sound.
Q Q
K q
Q ( ) Looks like the number 5 without the top line. This is the Klingon letter Q.
You may find it easy to remember by thinking of the word Quintet. A Quintet is a
group of five. Since the character resembles a 5 without a top -- 5 = Q.
K ( ) Looks like a flag on a slanted pole, but is actually the Klingon letter q.
You may find it easy to remember by thinking of the referee of a football game holding
the flag at the ten yard marker for the quarterback to make first down. q is the first
letter of quarterback -- flag = q.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 25
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' Soch Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 7
Using the examples below practice writing the letters being learned in this lesson.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 26
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' Soch Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 7
The following exercise uses the pIqaD script for English words. Decipher the words
into their English equivalent and then rewrite them back into the pIqaD using the
handwritten form shown in this and the previous lessons. Be careful to distinguish the
capital Q (Q) and the small q (K).
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 27
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' Soch Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 7
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 28
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' chorgh Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 8
In this lesson you will learn two new letters from the pIqaD.
C or ch
J j
J( ) Looks like the Greek letter pi () -- in geometry class we learned the formula for
the area of a circle (pi times the radius squared -- r2). This letter in Klingon is a j.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 29
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' chorgh Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 8
Using the examples below practice writing the letters being learned in this lesson.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 30
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' chorgh Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 8
The following exercise uses the pIqaD script for English words. Decipher the words
into their English equivalent and then rewrite them back into the pIqaD using the
handwritten form shown in this and the previous lessons.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 31
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' chorgh Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 8
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 32
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' Hut Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 9
In this lesson you will learn one new letter from the pIqaD.
X or tlh
X ( or ) Looks like a Y on top of a pedestal. This is the Klingon letter tlh. The
sound is close to the sound in words ending in -ttle, -tal, -ddle or -dal.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 33
pIqaD paqQDI'norgh mI' Hut Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 9
Using the examples below practice writing the letters being learned in this lesson.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 34
pIqaD paqQDI'norgh mI' Hut Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 9
The following exercise uses the pIqaD script for English words. Decipher the words
into their English equivalent and then rewrite them back into the pIqaD using the
handwritten form shown in this and the previous lessons. Note that the X will
represent words ending in -ttle, -tal, -ddle or -dal.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 35
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wa'maH Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 10
In this lesson you will learn one new letter from the pIqaD.
W or w
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 37
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wa'maH Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 10
Using the examples below practice writing the letters being learned in this lesson.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 38
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wa'maH Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 10
The following exercise uses the pIqaD script for English words. Decipher the words
into their English equivalent and then rewrite them back into the pIqaD using the
handwritten form shown in this and the previous lessons. Note that the X will
represent words ending in -ttle, -tal, -ddle or -dal.
3. OW __________ __________
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 39
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wa'maH Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 10
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 40
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wa'maH wa' Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 11
In this lesson you will learn the final letter of the pIqaD.
' or '
' ( or ) Resembles the mark it represents the '. The ' is used in Klingon as a letter that
goes before and after vowels in Klingon words. In Klingon you will notice that all
words beginning with a vowel will be preceded by a ', which is the Klingon letter.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 41
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wa'maH wa' Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 11
Using the examples below practice writing the letters being learned in this lesson.
'
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 42
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wa'maH wa' Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 11
In the following exercise you used the pIqaD script for English words. In this you will
be practicing with Klingon words. Decipher the words into their Klingon phonetic
equivalent and then rewrite them back into the pIqaD using the handwritten form
shown in this and the previous lessons. Note that the X will represent tlh and the G,
previously used as a g, will use its Klingon phonetic value of gh.
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 43
pIqaD paQDI'norgh mI' wa'maH wa' Klingon Alphabet Lesson Number 11
pIqaD paQDI'norgh 44