The question of why Galanglic is a pretty good one: Why should the
people 5000 years from now speak a language that is even remotely
similar to 20th Century English?
Well, realistically, they probably wouldn't. But it is extremely
convenient to assume that they do. Ok, Bertil, Hans, Jurgen... I
hear you, but you must admit that the majority of the people who
play Traveller speak (or read) English. (As far as I have heard,
it's only been translated into German and Spanish).
Why? Why couldn't they be speaking Vilani or Chinese or Spanish or
Russian or Luxumbourgese for that matter? We can always assume
that everything we say is translated into that language that the
characters speak and understand right?
What about Art work? You got two choices:
(Picture of starship crew at battle stations)
1) English language:
Gamer looking at art work: "Neat picture. This looks good."
(Sound of cash being pulled out)
2) Traveller language:
Gamer looking at art work: "Neat picture, but what does that sign
say? What's going on here? I don't get this... Do I really wanna
buy this?"
What about poetry or music?
Well, the words won't translate exactly, so it's virtually
impossible that a song or poem will rhyme when translated back and
forth.
What about the most fragile and crucial matter of language: Humor?
A pun or other play on words *NEVER* translates. EX: The main
street in Berlin is Kurfurstendam. It is known to the Berliners
(not the Jelly Doughnuts) as Die Kuhdam. The local prostitutes are
known as Die Kuh-damen! :-) HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa! Snicker!
Chuckle! Chuckle! Gaffaw! ROTFL!
What? Giggle! You don't get it? Oh... Well Kuh in German means
Cow, and Damen is of course: Ladies. Thus Cow-Ladies... Get it?
oh. ok. (sigh)
How many of you (Other than Bertil) found the name of the Asteroid
belt in BeltStrike to be humorous? The Bowman Belt*?! Get it?
No? Nevermind... (sigh)
(I wonder if Rob Dean has learned any Esperanto jokes...?)
Puns & the like are vital to gaming. But for it to be funny, the
characters should be able to get our jokes too shouldn't they?
Face it: languages that are specific to a game are USELESS. Ok,
it's fun to write in Aslan in the PBEM for flavor, with a bunch of
devoted Trav players, but can you game with it? No. Not unless
you're a complete head over heels Registered Aslan Nut. Think of
the nurds you know who bought the Klingon Dictionary... Nevermind
the ones who actively try to *SPEAK* it. :-P
Scott 2G Kellogg
* Bertil, Ok so it was more of a regional joke, but you get the
point...