This episode has always been popular – it’s inspired fan merch and was discussed at length in The Atlantic in 2014 – but it’s getting more attention lately as the social media hive mind wrestles with certain issues. The episode begins with the Enterprise receiving an invitation to establish relations with an alien race, the… Continue reading Translators in Space IV: Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Category: Sci-Fi
Does Yoda use German syntax?
Long, long ago, I read a list of rules for a Star Wars drinking game. “Take a drink every time Yoda speaks in German syntax,” it decreed. But how often does Yoda actually use German syntax? Let’s go through some of his words of wisdom and see how many drinks that rule would get us,… Continue reading Does Yoda use German syntax?
Translators in Space, part III: Embassytown
China Miéville is a socialist who hates Tolkien. He’s also a little scary looking. His books are worth reading, though, even if you’re a reactionary who loves Tolkien. I’ve read two of his novels, The City and the City and Embassytown. The former has an intriguing setting (two cities that share the same space, where residents of… Continue reading Translators in Space, part III: Embassytown
Translators in Space, part 2
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s permission.” (Matthew 10:29) In the not-too-distant future, an observatory in Puerto Rico picks up some chorales broadcast from the Alpha Centauri system. In response, a party of Jesuits… Continue reading Translators in Space, part 2
Translators in Space
My first blog post! Went to see the film Arrival the other day and was predictably gratified by the centrality of a linguist/translator. A pretty good film, but if emotional violin music and soft-focus footage of babies make you cry, be prepared to exit the theater wiping your eyes and sniffling, to the alarm of… Continue reading Translators in Space