CNN reports that in order to accommodate the needs of some its mental health patients, the Oregon Department of Human Services is soliciting the services of a Klingon language interpreter. Although an official claims that “We have to provide information in all the languages our clients speak,” I just can’t see this being that pressing a requirement. And what’s next, then? Elvish and Dwarvish “interpreters” for patients who have become trapped in their own Tolkienesque worlds? Rodian interpreters in case they come across patients that think that they’re Greedo the bounty hunter? You’ve got to draw the line somewhere, and I don’t think I’m being unreasonable in suggesting that we limit ourselves to terrestrial languages that aren’t MADE UP!
Update: Thankfully, this has turned out to be somewhat of a misunderstanding, as according to kuro5hin.org, “on a lark, purchasing officials in Multnomah County, Oregon, decided to make sure that Klingon-language interpreters could be paid by the county, just in case there ever was a need for one. So Klingon was granted official status as a language for the purpose of hiring an interpreter, on par with obscure foreign languages.” The post indicates that it was all done in a humorous vein, with the Elvish language also mentioned. I guess I’m more prescient than I thought…
