tlhIngan

tlhIngan is the Klingon term used to refer to the Klingon people and, in cultural contexts, to the language associated with them. In Klingon itself, tlhIngan denotes the people, while the language is described as tlhIngan Hol, literally “the Klingon tongue.” The name reflects the in-universe identity of a warrior culture portrayed in the Star Trek franchise and has been adopted by fans as the label for the language and its speaker community.

The Klingon language, tlhIngan Hol, was created by linguist Marc Okrand for the Star Trek series in the early 1980s. Okrand published The Klingon Dictionary in 1985, which codified its phonology, grammar, and vocabulary and became the authoritative reference for learners. The language is notable for its distinctive phonology, including sounds not common in English and consonant clusters such as tlh. It is written in a Latin-based alphabet for most practical use, while the on-screen writing historically included the unique Klingon script, pIqaD.

Linguistically, tlhIngan Hol is a constructed language with a rich morphology centered on verbs. Verbs carry prefixes that indicate subject and object, and the language employs a variety of affixes to express aspect, mood, and other grammatical relations. Nouns are used with cases and possessive constructions, and word order is flexible, supported by its morphological markings. The overall impression is of a harsh, emphatic language that matches the culture it represents.

Culturally, tlhIngan Hol has a large, active community of speakers and learners. The Klingon Language Institute and various fan resources publish dictionaries, grammar aids, and courses. The language has appeared in numerous Star Trek media and fan productions, and phrases such as nuqneH (“What do you want?”) and Qapla’ (“Success!”) are widely recognized outside specialist circles.