New Linguistic Challenges
Posted on Tue Apr 4th, 2023 @ 7:10am by Lieutenant Commander Damien Maillet
725 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Season 1, Episode 1: Wanted: A Few Brave Men
Location: En route to Deep Space K-9
“Rin halla flaraghal”
In his private cabin aboard the passenger pod being towed by the USS Ibn Daud, newly-promoted Lieutenant Commander Damien Maillet reviewed time and again material from his phrasebook. The Eifie Ambassador to the Federation had provided material on their official language, which had been made available to Communications Officers across Starfleet. The Universal Translator was known to work well with the Eifie and the Rheuysians both, but Damien had learned many years earlier the value in hearing the language for itself.
The saying went that the Inuit peoples of the Northern parts of North America had dozens of words for snow and ice. While incorrect on a few levels, the implication of the proverb was sound: languages can reflect what a culture values, and permit a wider exchange of ideas on the basis of those values, whether for the Inuit and snow or the Eifie and their spirituality. And while there was no way for Damien to become fluent in the language in the days it took to travel between Earth and Deep Space K-9, he would begin the process for both the Eifie and Rheuysians, to better understand them as a people and to be able to better speak with them aboard the station.
He had been surprised by the promotion and the transfer. He had certainly earned the position of Chief Communications Officer, but he had expected to still be aboard the Shiloh, maybe as a prelude to a position aboard a real explorer. The Station position was unexpected but not unwelcome. The offer of Second Officer only sweetened the deal. Within days he was back on Earth, visiting his sisters for a few weeks before his transport to K-9.
“Meenas var la Cha viszla.”
Of course, his mother wished terribly that he would find love aboard the station. She didn’t seem to understand that workplace romances aboard starships rarely worked. The spaces too confined, the environment too static, and if it doesn’t work out, then you’re stuck with that person awkwardly for several months or even years. But she was a mother to a son, and she wanted nothing more for him to find happiness and love in this world.
It didn’t help that every picture of an Eifie woman she saw when she researched them was of a gorgeous woman. The teasing by mother and sisters alike made him yearn to get the hell out of France. Even his father felt compelled to goad him over it, with all the family friends at the tavern.
In his cabin, his focus switched between the computer screen and his phrasebook. The word Cha appeared a lot, and there wasn’t a direct translation into Federation Standard, French, or any of the other languages he knew. But the idea was one that transcended most cultures. It didn’t quite translate to spirit or soul, or to chi or life force, but those words weren’t far off the mark. This was a culture that merited further study. Maybe he could practice speaking with some of the diplomatic staff.
The Rheuysian phrasebook on the desk had been examined earlier. Their language (there was only one, as is often the case with cultures based on conquest) was simpler in some ways and more difficult in others. It would merit more attention after they docked. He had questions that only a native speaker could answer. Whether their embassy staff will want to talk to him was another question.
At least the Diplomatic Corps could also give him a real paper copy of a Rheuysian novel, apparently one that’s regarded well by most people and studied in schools. Damien wasn’t far enough along to try to read it, but the idea of getting a glimpse into this other culture via a story was appealing.
He had one more day of travel. One more day to get the hang of common phrases in Eifie and Rheuysian. Then once he was speaking the languages, they would come swiftly. If he could become proficient by the end of the year, he would be proud of himself. Fluent six months later, that would be perfection.
“Cha pylo vie salavee.”
Lieutenant Commander Damien Maillet
Chief Communications Officer and Second Officer, Deep Space K-9
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