The Klingon Face

Although Chinese writer Lin Yutang claimed “Face cannot be translated or defined”, compare these definitions:

• Face is an image of self, delineated in terms of approved social attributes.

• Face is the respectability and/or deference which a person can claim for himself or herself from others.

Face is something that is emotionally invested, and that can be lost, maintained, or enhanced, and must be constantly attended to in interaction.

• Face is a sense of worth that comes from knowing one’s status and reflecting concern with the congruence between one’s performance or appearance and one’s real worth.

• “Face” means “sociodynamic valuation”, a lexical hyponym of words meaning “prestige; dignity; honor; respect; status”.

“The term “face” keeps cropping up in our conversation, and it seems such a simple expression that I doubt whether many people give it much thought. Recently, however, we have heard this word on the lips of foreigners too, who seem to be studying it. They find it extremely hard to understand, but believe that “face” is the key to the Chinese spirit and that grasping it will be like grabbing a queue twenty-four years ago [when wearing a queue was compulsory] – everything else will follow.”

“Interesting as the Chinese physiological face is, the psychological face makes a still more fascinating study. It is not a face that can be washed or shaved, but a face that can be “granted” and “lost” and “fought for” and “presented as a gift”. Here we arrive at the most curious point of Chinese social psychology. Abstract and intangible, it is yet the most delicate standard by which Chinese social intercourse is regulated.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Face_%28sociological_concept%29

Miàn 面 “face; personal esteem;10countenance; surface; side” occurs in words like:

miànzi 面子 “face; side; reputation; self-respect; prestige, honor; social standing”

miànmù 面目 (“face and eyes”) “face; appearance; respect; social standing; prestige; honor(only used in ancient Chinese prose. Now it only means appearance)”

miànpí 面皮 (“face skin”) “facial skin; complexion; feelings; sensitivity; sense of shame”

tǐmiàn 體面 (“body face”) “face; good looking; honor; dignity; prestige”

qíngmian 情面 (“feelings face”) “face; prestige; favor; kindness; partiality”

Hsien-chin Hu says,

“Can be borrowed, struggled for, added to, padded, — all terms indicating a gradual increase in volume. It is built up through initial high position, wealth, power, ability, through cleverly establishing social ties to a number of prominent people, as well as through avoidance of acts that would cause unfavorable comment.” (1944:61) 

Liǎn 臉 “face; countenance; respect; reputation; prestige” is seen in several “face” words:

liǎnshàng 臉上 (“face on/above”) “one’s face; honor; respect”

liǎnmiàn 臉面 (“face face”) “face; self-respect; prestige; influence”

liǎnpí 臉皮 (“face skin”) “face; sensitivity; compassion”

Hu (1944:51–52) contrasts méiyǒu liǎn 沒有臉 (“without face”) “audacious; wanton; shameless” as “the most severe condemnation that can be made of a person” and bùyào liǎn 不要臉 (“don’t want face”) “shameless; selfishly inconsiderate” as “a serious accusation meaning that ego does not care what society thinks of his character, that he is ready to obtain benefits for himself in defiance of moral standards”.

Yán 顏 “face; prestige; reputation; honor” occurs in the common expression diū yán 丟顏 and the words:

yánhòu 顏厚 (“face thick”) or hòuyán 厚顏 “thick-skinned; brazen; shameless; impudent”

yánmiàn 顏面 (“face face”) “face; honor; prestige”

Alexander, Son of Worf : Listen to me, Alexander. When a human looks at you, he does not see himself. He sees a Klingon.

Alexander Rozhenko, of No House : It doesn't matter what I look like.

Alexander, Son of Worf : It DOES.