Is it a language really?

 

You may, if you like, substitute the term Ulster Scots in the article below and scarcely alter the meaning or effect.

 

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Jerry Jelusich of Florida’s Department of Human Services was explaining why government money was funding a linguist specialising in a fantasy language – Klingon – invented for the Star Trek TV show. 

 

‘Although it was created as a work of fiction, it was designed to have a consistent grammar, syntax and vocabulary. Recent research has shown that many people now regard it as a complete language. 

 

‘We’ve had a growing number of cases involving mental health patients where this is the only language they would speak.

 

We need to communicate with them somehow, and if hiring a Klingon interpreter enables us to diagnose their problems more effectively, then it is money well spent.’

 

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In its defence, it must be pointed out that to date (to the best of our knowledge) no Klingon specialist has served time in a U.S. jail for soliciting sex with an underage girl.

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