Darmok Humor
- Thread starter Smellincoffee
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Intermix, when the dilithium fractures.
I think this has been debated here a time or 47 - it's fair to assume the Tamarians have a non-metaphorical math system. And I think it's possible for their language to explain complicated things, especially if you take into account what must be a labrinth of context and inflection.^ Now try explaining the design of a circuit that will control the matter/anti-matter stream balance of a warp engine.
What we saw in "Darmok" was a very narrow example of the language. We also don't know what their written language is like, or perhaps they have another entire language for technical things -
They may have been talking to the Enterprise crew as one would speak to a child.
I wonder what their insults would be like.
"Your mother, her bathroom scale broken."
Explaining JJ Abrams' Trek: "Spock, blinded by lens flares."
Tamarian music would be interesting... "Lucy, in the sky, with diamonds..."
"Your mother, her bathroom scale broken."
Explaining JJ Abrams' Trek: "Spock, blinded by lens flares."
Tamarian music would be interesting... "Lucy, in the sky, with diamonds..."
I like that explanation. Makes a lot of sense to me. Thanks, CaptainStoner.I think this has been debated here a time or 47 - it's fair to assume the Tamarians have a non-metaphorical math system. And I think it's possible for their language to explain complicated things, especially if you take into account what must be a labrinth of context and inflection.^ Now try explaining the design of a circuit that will control the matter/anti-matter stream balance of a warp engine.
What we saw in "Darmok" was a very narrow example of the language. We also don't know what their written language is like, or perhaps they have another entire language for technical things -
Funny thing... I was watching "The Ensigns of Command" when I noticed the actor playing Kentor looked familiar somehow. So I looked him up on Memory Alpha. Sure enough, he was the Tamarian first officer in "Darmok". Richard Allen. 
I think this has been debated here a time or 47 - it's fair to assume the Tamarians have a non-metaphorical math system. And I think it's possible for their language to explain complicated things, especially if you take into account what must be a labrinth of context and inflection.^ Now try explaining the design of a circuit that will control the matter/anti-matter stream balance of a warp engine.
You know, I'd really like to see the Tamarians have a conversation with the Bynars.
^ Or see what would happen to the Borg if they assimilated the Tamarians.
Set a course for the Veridian system, maximum warp. Picard's relatively simple order from Generations is actual rather cryptic if you think about it unless you understand the context. It make a lot of assumptions on Picard part that anyone is going to have any idea about what he talking about. Tamarian's order of Mirab, with sails unfurled, isn't much different than Picard's. In both cases the ship's crews know how to accomplish their commander's intent.
I don't see why metaphoric terms couldn't replace technical terms. An energized circuit might be, Benjamin Franklin, with kite string soaked. Or some such.
Thanks for posting, I sometimes forget the hilariousness that is XKCD.
Set a course for the Veridian system, maximum warp. Picard's relatively simple order from Generations is actual rather cryptic if you think about it unless you understand the context. It make a lot of assumptions on Picard part that anyone is going to have any idea about what he talking about. Tamarian's order of Mirab, with sails unfurled, isn't much different than Picard's. In both cases the ship's crews know how to accomplish their commander's intent.
It comes down to the degree of abstraction with metaphor usage. The universal translator is probably programmed with language and contextual social references, including expression libraries, etc. For races of beings that communicate with other races, they'd have to be aware of the necessity of communicating context. Perhaps the Tamarians are so secluded, shunning communication with other races to the point where their colloquial references are extremely obscure.
But a metaphoric expression is simply that... a specific way of communicating an idea or thought. In most languages there is redundancy, allowing one to say something in many ways, in varying degrees of abstraction. Given how intelligent the Tamarians are, you'd figure that they'd be aware of their particular issues. The Federation can't be the first beings they've encountered.
Or, "Resistance; Shaka, when the walls fell."
The crew may know the captain wants them to leave (that is what "Mirab with sails unfurled" means), but how do they know WHERE to go?
^ It is probably the equivalent of "Let's get the ship underway." The destination would also have to be mentioned. Probably another metaphor referencing a specific person, at a specific location, and that would be where they're headed.
Tamarian: "El-Adrel. Mirab, with sails unfurled. Sokath, his engines at full."
Tamarian: "El-Adrel. Mirab, with sails unfurled. Sokath, his engines at full."
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Thanks for posting, I sometimes forget the hilariousness that is XKCD.
How is that funny?
The impression I got is that Mirab was the destination, that it wasn't a persons name, but rather a place. It might not be a planet or a star system, instead it could refer to a ancient city, so the ship was headed towards the planet that held it.
Or Mirab could simply mean Home.
Similar to if a US Navy ship that was headed to it's home port at Naval Station Norfolk would make it's destination "The Roads."
^ I took Mirab as being a person or ship. Something like a legendary moment where a Commander Mirab aboard his ancient sailing vessel departs with much pride and fanfare, the sails unfurling to catch the wind. It was so iconic, it became a metaphor for departing.
One thing the Tamarians inadvertently do is keep alive a lot of folklore by using these metaphors all the time in common speech.
One thing the Tamarians inadvertently do is keep alive a lot of folklore by using these metaphors all the time in common speech.
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