Chief Delphi - Klingon/Language Discussion

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger (Post 591704)

Jane, thanks for the PM explaination about "shrugs". I figured it had to do with the speech, but with the time delay between Dean and the interpreter, and the interpreter and me, and me wanting to take a nap, I couldn't quite place it. I agree it must be Dean saying "I don't know" or similar, not the interpreter saying "I have no idea what this guy is talking about".

That is not an easy job, interpreting!

I spoke with an interpreter yesterday after a meeting and asked her. She said that there are a million reasons to use a shrug and then gave me some examples like the ones you have used. Also, when terms are used (technical, for example) that are unfamiliar to the interpreter, that person will sign what they 'think' they hear and shrug, leaving it to the person/audience to make the decision/think about the possibility of what was spoken.