T’larn - Social Lubricants and Snails
Lhandon Nilsen
((A Bar with a name they are yet to understand, Port City of I’shal, I-Kiyo Dyson Ring ))
This had turned out to be a most pleasant day on the Dyson ring. The host, although a little skittish at first, soon warmed up and brought them to a bar. T'larn took advantage of the menu to gather some quick and easy language data.
The drinks were quite strong, which brought a little bit of joy to the mischievous T'larn. She couldn't help but giggle ever so slightly when Stendhal, who had joined them, couldn't quite handle the strength of the alcoholic beverage.
Stendhal: Son of a bench!
Not only Tox but even the alien laughed at her.
St'Amin: H’ak ha’i h’ak ha’i
T’larn: Language now Counselor
Spirits seem to be somewhat high and as T’larn noted earlier; sometimes drink is the universal elixir
Arlill: What do we do next Researcher T’larn?
She demonstrated exactly that. She had her PADD with her and was quickly typing in her observation while running a generative language model that adjusted with each new piece of information. But she needed more.
On each table, was a menu, and she took a look at the studying the unfamiliar script. The written language of St'Amin's people. Each character seemed to represent a distinct sound, with apostrophes separating individual letters. The words were long and complex, mirroring their verbal emphasis on each syllable, but the letters seemed to have no correlation with any script from any federation or Alpha or Beta quadrant worlds.
She saw that one section of the menu was written as "U'd'e'i't'h," exactly as St'Amin had pronounced it earlier. This confirmed her theory that their writing system was highly phonetic, with each character representing a specific sound in their speech.
As she scanned the menu, she observed that longer words contained more apostrophe-separated characters, while shorter words had fewer. T'larn quickly began inputting these observations into her PADD.
T'larn decided to seize this opportunity to gather more linguistic data. She pointed to the drink on the table, then held up the menu, gesturing for St'Amin to indicate which item they were consuming.
T'larn: ::pointing to the drink, then the menu:: K'a's'u't'h'i'r... U'd'e'i't'h?.
St'Amin: Y’o’z U’d’e’i’t’h ::holding up another::
Arlill: Salute! ::downing the drink::
St’Amin: S’-a-’l-u-t ::doing the same::
A shared understanding had emerged. The word "Salute" seemed to transcend language barriers, serving as a universal toast.
In linguistic terms, such expressions were often called "phatic expressions" - words or phrases used more for social bonding than for conveying specific information. These words, like "Cheers" in English, "Santé" in French, or "Prost" in German, acted as a sort of social lubricant.
T'larn made a mental note of this. The ease with which St'Amin had adopted the term "Salute" suggested perhaps a cultural openness and maybe a reliance on tourism.
Stendhal: Salute! Ciao ciao! (( Drinking ))
T’larn: Salute ::nods and rises glass::
Arlill: We ::gesturing around the table, starting with himself:: Toxin, Karen, T’larn thank you ::pointing at St’Amin:: for your hospitality ::gesturing around the broader room::
St’Amin: ‘Yi Y’o’p (beat) T’h’an’kz ‘U ::pointing at the others::
Arlill: My gods, I think his translations working faster than ours!
Henri: oO About time, I was beginning to get a headache::
Stendhal: ~ Henri, buongiorno, glad to hear about you! How do you feel about this brown alcoholic poison? I think our new tall friend feels you too ,he may be telepathycally able to hear you.~ (beat) What a lovely slurgh is this! It have a taste of a cheap old Sunday's dinner but with a back taste of caramel, don't you think? Old, like a few days old I mean.
T’larn: Is that a compliment counsellor?
Henri: Response
Arlill: Agreed (beat) let’s keep talking, I think his UT is close and T’larn, you’re definitely onto someth… ::shaking his head::
Stendhal: Yeah good job T'larn you're deffo a really good languagisty. Heel or not heeled! (Drinking) Maybe I should stop to drink this stuff. (Beat) Are you ok Tox? Did you see the doctor about that? Anyway I much prefer a Spritz to drink!
T’larn: Are you well Lieutenant?
Arlill: I’m fine, let see what we can order for food, I’m starving.
Suddenly, a new creature lumbered into view. This alien perhaps resembled an oversized snail wearing trousers. It approached their table, clutching a bottle. With a surprising amount of dexterity, the creature produced a set of ornate glasses and then poured a concoction. The alien's face - if one could call it that - contorted into what T'larn assumed was a smile. It gurgled something unintelligible.
Rutto: Bevas Bevias maialones de spaccio tuttos buonos fuuocos di cippa!
T’larn: I am finding this most engaging, I do adore new tastes, I’m sure that big guy in ops who loves cooking would love it down here. What’s his name again? Brandon?
Arlill/St’Amin : Response.
The snail, who they identifyed as Rutto, pushed St;Amin aside. St’Amin, naturally seemed to take offence.
Rutto: (gargoling) Rissa Adesso! Uah uah uah!
T’larn: It would appear that our host has competition. How thrilling!
She had gently clapped her hands, quiet enough not to make a noise but to show her excitement at the situation.
Henri/Arlill/St’Amin : Response.
Stendhal: I have a feeling he's going to beat him up.
T’larn: One does not have to be a psychologist to see that, I suggest we take a moment to plan our exit
Henri/Arlill/St’Amin : Response.
T’larn: Or we can do that. It’s equally as valid.
Henri/Arlill/St’Amin : Response.
She stood up and held both of her hands out, knowing that at least one of the belligerents recognized body language. She tapped on her PADD and hoped that the limited amount of data they had gathered would translate her meaning to both of them.
T’larn: Please we are all friends here after all we would love to be both of your guests.
Henri/Arlill/St’Amin : Response.
Tags/TBC
T’larn
Researcher
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
She/Her (Character)
He/Him (Player)