How many levels of formality are there in Klingon?

Answer 1

I suppose you could say there are three, sort of, but they aren't strictly layered.

The most formal you can get is to include the verb suffix -neS on a verb. -neS is an honorific, which indicates deference on the part of the speaker to the person he's talking to. Thus:

qayaj -- "I understand you."

qayajneS -- "I understand you, your honor." or some such.

It is seldom used, and never required.

The other distinction in formality is between regular and "clipped" Klingon. In clipped Klingon, verb prefixes are dropped. It is often used in orders or commands. Thus, in some sense, it indicates *lack* of deference by the speaker to the person he's talking to (although it is not considered insulting). In particular, clipped Klingon is required when commanding a pet, or an inanimate device (such as computer or robot). Basically, clipped Klingon favors brevity over correct grammar, and as such is rather informal.

In theory, though, there's no reason you couldn't combine the two:

Full Klingon: yIbaH! -- "Fire!"

Clipped Klingon: baH! -- "Fire!"

Clipped with -neS: baHneS! -- "Fire, your honor"

but this last does have an odd flavor to it and it would probably require a somewhat unusual circumstance to hear it.