Why is she demanding a cheeseburger at gun point? We may never know.
I'll be surprised if you find the term "Far Speak" anywhere besides here (where it refers to the fictitious piecemeal language featured throughout the not-nearly-popular-or-successful-enough-for-how-awesome-it-really-is Farscape television series, that is).
One of the major problems that science fiction and science fantasy storytellers tend to run into is that of a common language (lingua franca) between different species and / or nations. Often enough, storytellers in this genre neglect to explain how or why so many different species across a solar system, galaxy, or universe are able to communicate. Usually this is because it isn't a relevant concern in the story. Since language is one of our primary means of communication of our history and culture, however, those storytellers that even give only a passing explanation provide their audience with greater insight into their fictitious universe.
Star Wars solved the problem by creating a universal or 'state' language enforced by the Republic / Empire (while also utilizing limited use of subtitles, later to be explained that not all species were capable or comfortable making the necessary vocalizations to speak Galactic Basic). In Dr. Who, the T.A.R.D.I.S. (and The Doctor himself) project a telepathic field that allows sentient creatures (robotic, organic, cybernetic, or even virtual) to comfortably and effectively communicate with each other. Star Trek has its universal translator. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe has its babel fish.
In Farscape, creators Brian Henson and Rockne S. O'Bannon introduced translator microbes (very similar to babel fish), which are symbiotic organisms injected intravenously (at birth in most cases), and which migrate to the base of the brain stem where they 're-wire' the host's brain in such a way that the host is able to understand virtually any spoken language. Throughout the show, however, we learn that the translator microbes are imperfect as they are unable to translate certain abstract concepts, which appear to be primarily vulgarity (although these many, many vulgar 'alien' words may actually just be universally recognized throughout the civilized and uncivilized territories featured in the show), time keeping (again, these might just be actually common words within the context of the show), and wormholes.
There are several episodes throughout the show's four seasons that depict the non-human protagonists speaking in their native languages (including the pilot episode as well). Eventually, Aeryn Sun decides to go out of her way to learn to speak English as a gesture of respect for her love interest, John Crichton. While this does provide some comic relief in the course of the usually dark and gritty misadventures of those traveling aboard Moya, Aeryn's effort to learn English is such a massive gesture because she doesn't need to learn it to communicate with John (unlike recent addition to the crew, Sikozu, whose physiology is incompatible with translator microbes and thus must actually learn every language she wishes to interact with). But if you don't believe me, and you're a native English speaker, learn how to say some simple phrases in another language, then use them the best you can in a conversation with someone whose native language that is. I guarantee you'll be significantly more respected almost immediately.
True that! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a very interesting concept, language in sci-fi, more so because in literature it was never a great problem (books are translated so you could easily think you're reading a translation).
But it mostly does seem a problem for the native English speaker. Most countries either dub or sub TV shows, and so are more accustomed to translations. In a way you could make a show entirely in alien languages and it would not cause a problem. Try watching a fansub of a Japanese show and you'll know what i mean.
Other than that, good post, but I would change the font of the posts. It's not very suited for screen reading. Maybe you could do a follow up on written alien languages in sci-fi? ;-)
Very true, Sebastian.
ReplyDeleteAside from Anime, I can only think of a handful of foreign films (e.g., "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" or any of the old "Godzilla" movies) that were dubbed or subbed and still popular in native English speaking countries.
I think it would be interesting to an entire film spoken in an alien language (Klingon for "Star Trek" or whatever it is the big blue aliens speak in "Avatar").
Also, I'll experiment with using a more readable font. :)