The Traveler's name

Discussion in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' started by Khan Harrison, Jun 18, 2013.

  1. Khan Harrison

    Khan Harrison Ensign

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    In Where No One has gone before the Traveler tells Riker that his name is not pronouncable by humans.

    Why didnt Riker just say "why dont you just say it for us then, so we know what it sounds like?"
     
  2. QuarkforNagus

    QuarkforNagus Lieutenant Red Shirt

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    "In order to pronounce it properly, we would have to cut out your tongue."

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Pavonis

    Pavonis Commodore Commodore

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    Maybe the proper pronunciation of the Traveler's name involves sounds that are out of the range of human hearing. Or maybe his name was a particular shade of infrared or ultraviolet that humans can't see. In either case, "pronouncing his name" would leave everyone no more informed about his name than just saying it is unpronounceable.
     
  4. GalaxyX

    GalaxyX Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Isn't this a typical Sci-Fi trope? The alien's name who is unpronounceable to humans.

    They did this with Spock in TOS as well. If I remember correctly, his Vulcan name is supposed to be unpronounceable. It seems they dropped that idea pretty quickly though. I'm surprised it survived to TNG.
     
  5. Pavonis

    Pavonis Commodore Commodore

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    It's a trope for a reason. The idea that aliens would use the same phonemes as all human languages would be unrealistic.
     
  6. Captain Clark Terrell

    Captain Clark Terrell Commodore Commodore

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    Because whenever people hear a name that's unusual, they try to pronounce it even if they can't. My name is Indian, and people frequently get it wrong even though it's not hard to pronounce.

    --Sran
     
  7. Timo

    Timo Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Exactly. For all we know, the name of Spock that humans could never pronounce correctly was "Spock", and Spock had just learned to control his grimace reflex whenever Kirk butchered the word... ;)

    Timo Saloniemi
     
  8. Captain Clark Terrell

    Captain Clark Terrell Commodore Commodore

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    You might be onto something, Timo. Maybe that's why he went through the Kolinahr.

    --Sran
     
  9. R. Star

    R. Star Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    It's just a random plot device to make this guy seem that much more alien. That's all. As if the funny forehead and creepy looks weren't clue enough.
     
  10. Crazyewok

    Crazyewok Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Because the actor is human and cant pronounce it either :techman:
     
  11. Captain Clark Terrell

    Captain Clark Terrell Commodore Commodore

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  12. Leviathan

    Leviathan Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    ...actually....not far off! The Traveler was in humanoid form thus maybe couldn't pronounce it.

    ...or he was just being a jackass. Either works.
     
  13. Mojochi

    Mojochi Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Unpronounceable by human standards could mean many things. Maybe it's ultra or infrasonic. Could be if he said his name, only dogs on the ship would hear it or Spot
     
  14. doctorfoto

    doctorfoto Commodore Commodore

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    Maybe he's just embarrassed by it, like his parents named him Blues Traveller or something.
     
  15. Doug Otte

    Doug Otte Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    I'll tell you a secret. His name is "Herbert."
     
  16. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Keyser Soze.
     
  17. Doug Otte

    Doug Otte Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    ...and his middle name is "Fenton."