Examples of Tamarian written language
The Tamarian language was the spoken language of the Tamarians. Federation Universal Translators, although they successfully translate the words, present the syntax as almost nonsensical, because the Tamarians speak entirely by metaphor, referencing mythological and historical people and events from their culture. Thus, instead of asking for cooperation, they would use a phrase such as "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra", because their culture's stories include a tale of two Tamarians, Darmok and Jalad, who fought a common foe together on an island called Tanagra. The problem with communicating in this fashion is that without knowing the meaning of the reference, the metaphor becomes meaningless. While explaining the structure of the language, Deanna Troi made up the example that "Juliet on her balcony" could be used to describe a romantic situation, although it is impossible to understand if the listener does not know who Juliet is, or why she was on the balcony.(TNG: "Darmok")
Some examples of the Tamarian language:
- "Darmok on the ocean" - loneliness, isolation
- "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra" - cooperation
- "The beast at Tanagra" - an obstacle to be overcome
- "Kadir beneath Mo Moteh" - failure to communicate/understand
- "Kiteo, his eyes closed" - refusal to understand
- "Temba, his arms wide/open" - signifying a gift
- "Temba, at rest" - when a gift being offered is declined
- "Mirab, with sails unfurled" - signifying departure/engines to full/fleeing
- "Shaka, when the walls fell" - failure
- "Sokath, his eyes uncovered/opened" - understanding/realization
- "The river Temarc in winter" - be quiet/silence
- "Zinda, his face black, his eyes red" - anger or conflict, also can indicate pain or discomfort
- "Rai and Jiri at Lungha. Rai of Luwani, Luwani under two moons. Giri, or Ubaya. Ubaya of crossroads, at Lungha. Lungha, her sky gray" - greeting between two different cultures/races
- "Uzani, his army with fists open" - to lure the enemy towards you by spreading your forces
- "Uzani, with fists closed" - to close rank and attack after luring the enemy
- "Picard and Dathon at El-Adrel" - successful first contact between two alien cultures, or to work toward a common goal
These phrases and idioms are often attenuated in conversation - "Shaka, when the walls fell" has been heard shortened to "Shaka"; others follow a similar pattern.
Background
In one scene where Picard attempts to treat a wounded Dathon, the Tamarian says "Kiazi's children, their faces wet". It is unclear what Dathon means by this, although (since Dathon is trying to shoo Picard away from caring for his injuries at the time) it may allude to children crying for no reason; the Tamarian may be saying that Picard should not worry or feel sad, as nothing could be done. It might also mean that Dathon knew he was dying, as Kiazi's children apparently knew, since Picard was trying to find out the extent of Dathon's injuries at the time.
Apocrypha
The Tamarian language is explored further in the short story "Friends with the Sparrows" from the TNG anthology The Sky's the Limit. In the story, it is explained that Tamarians have a fundamentally different brain structure to most humanoids, and as such experience concepts such as time and self differently.
The story explains that Tamarian children learn the stories behind the metaphors, and thus their meanings, through enactment and repetition. Variations of meaning in metaphors were conveyed through subtle vocal and gestural cues that the universal translator had previously missed. In fields such as engineering and programming, a musical language was used to convey precise equations, numbers and instructions; thus explaining how Tamarians could effectively operate starships.
External link
- Template:Brokenlink - a discussion of the Tamarian language