Star Trek: Armada III begins with the first stirrings of the Dominion War and allows players to take command of five unique factions, the United Federation of Planets, the Klingon Empire, the Romulan Star Empire, the Cardassian Union/Dominion Alliance, and the Borg Collective. Explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before.
The Children of Tama, as they identify themselves, are a space-faring people known for their extremely difficult to understand method of communicating. While the individual words of their language are readily understood by Starfleet's standard universal translator, the context of the words used at first seems bereft of meaning, coming across as gibberish to the uninitiated.
The Tamarians communicate not just through stringing words together. Instead, their words are used to construct elaborate and colourful imagery, referencing mythology, folklore and historical examples to communicate current ideas, intentions and desires. Essentially, the Tamarians communicate exclusively through metaphor and allegory, a concept completely foreign to the Federation's linguists.
True communication with the Children of Tama will require greater familiarity with their history and mythology, as these are frequently referenced in their speech. For example, during first contact with the Tamarians the phrase, "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra" was used. Seemingly meaningless at first, the phrase is actually a reference to two heroes of Tamarian mythology who began their stories as strangers, but became close friends through shared struggle. In this context, the phrase was used as a suggestion for the Federation and the Children of Tama to share each other's burdens and come together as friends.
The Tamarians are explorers by nature and are not overtly hostile. Their cruisers are advanced and well equipped deep space explorers. Nevertheless, the Children of Tama are well prepared for battle should it be necessary, and can rival a Galaxy-class starship if provoked. When conflict arises ("Zinda, his face black, his eyes red!"), they are formidable indeed.
"Bacon and Cheese at the gates of Tanagra"
"Bacon and Cheese, his voice grumples."
"Bacon and Cheese in the river of Stomach."
That's the funniest thing I've read all day! :D
Lol, I'm hungry now.
I was hungry before, now I'm starved!
There should be a special ability for the galaxy class, to fire phasers out of its torpedo tubes. It'll do negligible damage, but slow down the speed of the target.
Always thought that this story line falls apart under any kind of scrutiny. If their language is entirely based around their folklore...how was that folklore established and communicated in the first place? Which must mean they used to have a much more practical language that they abandoned...because...?
It does, and linguists have written about the fallacies inherent in this idea. However, in a world of universal translators making an episode where a central theme regards breaking a language barrier is tough. Even with its issues, it is still a rather good episode.
I know this sounds strange, but are you familiar with Jeremy Jahns? He told how he from a young age used to describe an unwinnable situation as ... Kobayashi Maru.
The people dictate the meaning of words. Children are taught by stories. Children don't care about practicality.
Generation 1: Like how the Enterprise-C was destroyed in defense of Narendra III.
Generation 5: Like the Enterprise-C at Narendra III.
Generation 10: Enterprise-C at Narendra III.
If you think about it their entire language is based on pop-culture references.
DAT AFT