How realistic is Star Trek’s Tamarian language? - Darmok and Jalad
How realistic is Star Trek’s Tamarian language? - Darmok and Jalad
I thought this video was absolutely fascinating throughout, even the ad.
The main thrust of it is about how natural Earth languages make use of idiom and metaphor frequently, and how Tamarian is subtly different from this. But we do also make use of a similar direct literary allusion, to different degrees in different languages. Mandarin has a number of examples, but we can also point to "crossing the Rubicon" as an example in English.
More recently, the use of memes has taken on a very Tamarian-like role.
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When I first saw this episode of TNG, I thought that such a language was impossible. Without even thinking about how often I hear and use phrases that likely make zero sense to someone who doesn't know the same context as myself. Like dealing with someone who lies all too often, "they are the boy who cried wolf" gets used. Meaning, one of these days they are going to tell the truth but no one will believe them. Or saying, "we need to touch base" to someone who isn't familiar with baseball. Sometimes I understand the meaning of a phrase, like "the proof is in the pudding," without knowing what that phrase originally meant. I still wonder what pudding? every time I hear it. So, yes. I can believe the Tamarian language. Because context is important.
I don't think the Tamarian language as a whole is represented in the episode. I can't imagine "Temba, his arms wide"-ing a way to warp capabilities. I think of the Tamarian language shown as a universal shorthand for the Tamarians. Like their society has different languages, but the Tamarian we hear is the common language. That Tamarians specializing in a field of study have their own words and phrases, much like on Earth of today. For example, if I listen to a lecture on biochemistry, I wouldn't understand most of it because I don't speak (understand) biochemistry. I have no context.
I think the Tamarian language is fascinating, and possible.
I can’t imagine “Temba, his arms wide”-ing a way to warp capabilities.
There's a fan theory that they use a distinct music-based writing system for math and technology.
That sounds interesting. Do you have a link to that discussion? I don't know anything about music theory, but connecting it to the Tamarian language could be a fascinating read.
OK, I found the post from daytrom I remembered, which said the idea came from a beta canon story. So I checked the Memory-Beta page for the Tamarians and it says the idea comes from a short story called Friends with the Sparrows by Christopher Bennett. I haven't been able to find a copy of it online, though.
Thanks for finding these. I'll check them out.
I don't remember where, probably a post on /r/daystrominstitute
I'll take a look-see. Thanks for the heads up.
Like dealing with someone who lies all too often, “they are the boy who cried wolf” gets used. Meaning, one of these days they are going to tell the truth but no one will believe them.
Or, you know, that you should never tell the same lie twice.