Klingons

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 9:45 am

I don't know about English-speaking world, but here in Russia vast majority of fans think that creating Klingons and spending so much efforts to this race was a mistake on behalf of Star Trek's creators. Frankly, I can not name a single person in Russia who would enjoy "Klingon" episodes. So I wonder, what is the mainstream opinion about Klingons in the West? Do western fans like Klingons, do they learn their language etc.?

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 10:36 am

  That seems kind of ironic, I thought that Gene Roddenberry was of the notion that the Klingons were modeled after the Russians in the cold war... and the Romulans after the Chinese.

As far as their popularity goes, pretty much everyone everyone I know, and from the sci-fi conventions that they have from time to time, the Klingons are very popular.  I'm sure you can have a marriage completely in Klingon in Vegas 

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 11:05 am

Privet! And with that welcome to forums Alkar 
Hehe no I am not Russian, but I am hoping to learn it. Maybe I'll see you on TeamSpeak some time soon, maybe you can help me 

Anyways this is very interesting. I did not know this stuff; interesting facts 

I always thought that the Romulans were much more like the Russians (Generally because of all the covert ops and spying in general, but maybe thats a bit of a stereotype, but whatever). And I dunno what Klinks were
But it's still all very interesting.

But anyways I do hope to see you Alkar on TS/Tunngle. I'll give you a game 
(BTW what +GMT are you? Thanks)

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 1:48 pm

  That seems kind of ironic, I thought that Gene Roddenberry was of the notion that the Klingons were modeled after the Russians in the cold war... and the Romulans after the Chinese.

Well, with all due respect for Mr. Roddenberry I would say that nothing in Klingon culture actually resembles the USSR. No Communist party, no state ideology (except Kahless cult), no Pioneers or komsomol and so on...

As far as their popularity goes, pretty much everyone everyone I know, and from the sci-fi conventions that they have from time to time, the Klingons are very popular.  I'm sure you can have a marriage completely in Klingon in Vegas 

That's interesting. Perhaps our cultures are really different.

I always thought that the Romulans were much more like the Russians (Generally because of all the covert ops and spying in general, but maybe thats a bit of a stereotype, but whatever). And I dunno what Klinks were

Exactly my thoughts. Just see: the country which does lack democracy comparing to the Federation, although it is not totalitarian. The country which usually is rather cold to the civilized world but does cooperate in case of emergency. IMHO, quite similar to Russia.

But anyways I do hope to see you Alkar on TS/Tunngle. I'll give you a game
(BTW what +GMT are you? Thanks)

GMT+4 (although in a week it would be GMT+3 due to Russian daylight saving time system). Thank you, it would be nice. I shall go and look if my provider supports Tunngle.

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 1:58 pm

Well, I believe Tunngle is Russian  So you should be ok, but I wont boo hoo 
The router I am on is kind of rubbish (cos its not mine, it's a relative's), but at my house I am just fine.

But TeamSpeak works just fine. Infact I am there right now (atleast when I posted this lol) 

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 2:16 pm

These are some links about Klingons, how they were thought up and in western popular culture:

Klingon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Klingon - Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki

Our cultures aren't too dissimilar - for some reason my friends all prefer vodka over beer, and we're also big fans of Fedor & Aleksander Emelianenko 

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 2:57 pm

Well, I believe Tunngle is Russian

It's German actually. The website is English and German, and it gives the network welcome in those two languages. English website has some German in it, so it's probably from Germany.

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 2:58 pm

Yep, Tunngle is German

[ewm90]

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 3:09 pm

Last edited by ewm90 on October 23rd, 2010, 3:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

O come on you russens enjoy fights to the death on a losly worded insult. You eat live food that still is moving. and you love agressive sex with the chance of death.

I am kidding,

----

If look at history diring the cold war the USSR was saying as wild stuff about the USA. It WAS just war propaganda.



If you look at early klingons they look a little russen.

Well, with all due respect for Mr. Roddenberry I would say that nothing in Klingon culture actually resembles the USSR. No Communist party, no state ideology (except Kahless cult), no Pioneers or komsomol and so on...
That's interesting. Perhaps our cultures are really different.


Exactly my thoughts. Just see: the country which does lack democracy comparing to the Federation, although it is not totalitarian. The country which usually is rather cold to the civilized world but does cooperate in case of emergency. IMHO, quite similar to Russia.

GMT+4 (although in a week it would be GMT+3 due to Russian daylight saving time system). Thank you, it would be nice. I shall go and look if my provider supports Tunngle.

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 4:45 pm

Since all good things come from Germany now it was clear that Tunngle must be german

If you look at early klingons they look a little russen.

This reminds me of that Simpsons episode where they are looking for that Christmas thief...dont know the english text however

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 4:53 pm

Hmm I see. But they sure do have a lot of Russian banners. 

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 6:00 pm

Well, if you look at Star Trek 6 the Klingons play obviously the part of the USSR(although I don't see many things where the UFP and the USA are similar ).
I think Klingons have even more fans than Vulcans, there are whole Klingon Fan clubs, most people like them. That mixture of Knights, Samurai and native Americans seems to be fascinating. Klingons are the only party people in Star Trek.
The only Star Trek race many people don't like are the Ferengi, at least that's my impression.

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 6:37 pm

Yea I think the Klingons might have started as an American stereotype of Russia, but they evolved a lot during the episodes. They had many good episodes to develop their character and background, and thats probably why they are so popular

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 6:52 pm

I am in Russia and one of my Russian friends is a big star trek fan (he has worked on VegaTrek, developed a bit of code to the project), and he has never said anything negative about the Klingons..... unless that is you Ilya? 

posted on October 23rd, 2010, 8:20 pm

Ronald D. Moore is the one that reinvented the TNG Klingons into more of a warrior race with heavy traditions and honor.  So they no longer became a stereotype, but finally a fully developed fictional race with interesting problems and conflicts that the crew could get involved with.  I think people like the assertiveness and aggression of Klingon culture, as they have healthy ways (according to them) of acting these things out.  I mean, Klingon parties are basically like Fight Club, with the Emperor being the next Tyler Durden.  Kapla!