Epitai

Zantai

Sutai

Vestai

Tai

VeS'naS = Warrior (Victorious Soldier) ----- tlhIngan VeS'naS = Klingon Warrior

The Honorific in a Klingon's name (eg. Kragg sutai-Zarrincx) is an indication of how well thought of that person is within their family line and Klingon society in general. The more Honor and Glory a Klingon reaps for the Empire, the more respect and power is attributed to his/her Family line. If there is no Honorific then the person is probably to young to have done anything noteworthy. Any ships officer would be "tai". Perhaps "vestai" if highly placed. A Captian of a major vessel would be "sutai" or if they had done something famous or distinguished "zantai". A Rear Admiral or Brigadier General and above would almost certainly be "zantai".

"Epitai" is rare and would only be used for the leader of a large and powerful line. Generally an Honorific is bestowed when enough members of the Nobility refer to an individual by that term. There is then a ceremony, witnessed by some Government Official, and the Honorific is granted. The most impressive (and quickest) way is if the Emperor himself should directly address an individual (either personally or in remote conversation) by that Honorific. This way is considered a particular Honor and brings much favor on the receipiant. In this way Klingons cannot "Promote" themselves for the sake of vainity or greed. Once bestowed an Honorific can never be removed, except by Dis-commendation.

Klingon first names usually are changed when the branch of service is chosen. The first letter of the first name is changed. "K" for Naval officers - "M" for Marine officers and "A" for Science or Administrative service. So, a child may enter the Imperial Star Academy as Lareck D'eva and serve in the Imperial Navy aboard his first vessel as

Vaj (Ensign) Kareck tai-D'eva in the post of Asst. Weapons Officer. The Chief Marine Officer aboard a Vessel would be addressed as RawI (Major) Maltic vestai-Ghe'laar, Force Leader of the KDF Ver'rak. The letter change is more of a tradition than a rule. Also the term "Zan" is the Klingon eqivelent of the Federation term "Mister". However it is never used as a stand alone term. A HoD (Captain) may say " What is our status zan Kareck?" but not " Get us out of oribit right now zan! ". Klingons refer to each other by first name rather than last. For example HoD Kragg sutai-Zarrincx would be refered to in conversation and addressed as HoD Kragg not HoD Zarrincx. This is true for the Vessel he Commands. Such a ship would be refered to as Kragg's Ship not Zarrincx's Ship. Only during formal procedings or in an attempt to be very respectful and polite would a Klingon be addressed to in third person. For example in speaking to Kragg one may ask him "How is the sutai-Zarrincx, is the one well?" This shows a type of polite deferance to an individuals privacy. Klingons are, as a rule, extreamly protective of their privacy.