|
Toward a Tamari Vocabulary by Jean- Luc Picard
UFP Internally Published Works, Document 45060-1227-PICARD-071
Picard, Jean-Luc / Toward a Tamari Vocabulary / PAGE 1
TOWARD A TAMARI VOCABULARY
A Beginning
Jean-Luc Picard
Captain, USS Enterprise
Ri and Joeri, at Lunga. Ri of Luwani, Luwani under two
moons. Joeri of Umbaya, Umbaya of Cross Roads, at
Lunga. Lunga, the sky gray.
-Welcoming speech to the
Enterprise, by Datha, Captain
of a Tamarian ship, on stardate
45058.
On stardate 45057 and 45058, I was privileged to participate in an
extremely rare event, that of first real contact and communication
with a new race.
The race we know as the Tamarians, who apparently refer to
themselves as the Children of Tama, were previously known to the
Federation, although they were not in any real sense known to me
personally. I knew what most reasonably well informed Starfleet
officers knew: Contact with Tamarian ships or personnel had
occurred at least half a dozen times in the last century, and that
all contacts were peaceable, but unproductive.
The reason that no fruitful contact was made with the Children of
Tama, is that they were, to all appearances, incomprehensible. No
real communication ensued at any time during any of the recorded
contacts. Linguistic computers and universal translator
equipment, though given months and in some cases decades, to work
on the problem, contributed almost nothing to solving it.
Of course, very little Tamarian speech was available for analysis.
I am informed by my First Officer(1) that just over six standard
hours of visual contact with members of the Tamarian race are on
record, some of very poor quality, with Tamari speech scattered
throughout. This compounded the enigma.
But I now believe that the fundamental impediment to meaningful
dialog with the Children of Tama was much deeper.
I have come to understand that the way of thinking intrinsic to
the Tamarians, indeed their entire view of the universe around
--------------------
1. Lt. Cmdr Data, USS Enterprise
UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS / Internally Published Works
Document Number 45060-1227-PICARD-071 / PAGE 1
UFP Internally Published Works, Document 45060-1227-PICARD-071
Picard, Jean-Luc / Toward a Tamari Vocabulary / PAGE 2
them, has shaped every aspect of their culture, including their
speech and thought processes. The unique effects of their
universe-view make them possibly the most difficult race to
comprehend that we have yet encountered.
For the Children of Tama, the past is of paramount importance. I
would guess that the most deadly insult for a Tamarian would be to
imply that he failed to learn from the wise counsel of the past.
This counsel is composed of the myths and legends of the dim past,
a rich tapestry of data that is not merely literature or religious
writings, but rather, common knowledge for every Tamarian. Their
entire way of life is deeply intertwined with the mytho-historical
background that they are apparently steeped it. It pervades their
culture, and seemingly is not only guide and protocol, but
teacher, religion, and mode of communication as well.
I say "apparently" and "seemingly", for despite the incident at
El-Adril, most of the assertations in this paper are conjecture
and hypothesis. Little of this information can be proved, only
supported in a general way by what I experienced, combined with
the logs of previous encounters.
The reader wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the topic is
directed to review aforementioned logs, along with the logs of the
El-Adril incident. This will add background to the ideas I present
in this paper.
The Children of Tama communicate by citing example. They speak in
metaphors, not as a device of speech but as speech itself. How
they address themselves to situations that have not yet arisen, or
are not recorded in their mythology, is not known(1).
Any topic of conversation is seemingly covered by some metaphor
taken from the body of their mytho-historical past. Whether the
incidents recorded there actually occurred or not seems to be
immaterial. What is important is what is said to have occurred.
The persons, places, and circumstances cited, carry the meaning in
the Tamari language.
Most natural languages rely on metaphor to some degree. Such
imagery is nearly incomprehensible outside the culture that
spawned it. This has always been a special problem for
--------------------
1. It is possible that Tamari adapts to new technology and
terminology in much the same way as languages that developed on
earth. English, for example, adopted words from other languages,
or constructed new words by compounding them from words in
forrunner languages, such as Latin and Greek. However, the
Tamarian phrase Mirab, his sails unfurled, is a counterexample,
demonstrating a metaphor used to communicate another metaphor,
which communicates the idea "Engage engines and depart."
UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS / Internally Published Works
Document Number 45060-1227-PICARD-071 / PAGE 2
UFP Internally Published Works, Document 45060-1227-PICARD-071
Picard, Jean-Luc / Toward a Tamari Vocabulary / PAGE 3
translators, but Tamari seems to use few or none of the standard
words and word parts found in other languages. Understanding of
spoken Tamari is not unlike that of written Chinese(1), where every
word is a visual metaphor. And, not unlike written Chinese,
learning a significant portion of the language could well be a
life's work.
It is often difficult to determine what particular aspect of a
given person, place, or incident, is to be understood as
significant. For example, a common phrase The river Tamock, in
winter, is known to signify a demand for silence, or perhaps peace
or cessation of hostile action. But a river in winter surely
brings to mind additional mental images, other than "Peace" and
"Silence".
It seems reasonable to assume that the metaphors that compose
Tamarian speech are precise through usage. That is, The river
Tamock, in winter, is known to mean what it means simply because
all Tamarians know that it does. This assumption will no doubt be
tested with further contact.
Knowing as little as we do about this most interesting mode of
verbal communication, it is not likely that a grammar can be
constructed. Rules of usage are difficult enough to map out for
any new language, but for Tamari, such an undertaking would be
much more challenging.
What can be begun is a vocabulary. That I am a Starship Captain,
not a linguist, is obvious. Notwithstanding, I have heard enough
Tamari, and observed the corresponding facial and body language,
to set down some useful examples.
All phrases listed below are rendered in standard phonetic
English, or as close an equivalent as could be derived by ear.
Many of the phrases were heard during moments of stress, some even
in the midst of combat, so the spellings and pronunciations are by
no means precise.
The Beast of Tenagra: a common peril, or foe, a testing of trust
between strangers, or other testing of character. See Darmok
and Julad.
Darmok and Julad: Apparently a historic first meeting of two
heroes, who were both far from home, and driven to trust and
assist each other by the necessity of a hostile creature
encountered at the island of Tenagra. They must have come to
--------------------
1. An old earth language, in which every single word or idea was
represented by a distinct pictograph, usually hand-drawn. Mastery
of written Chinese could take a lifetime to achieve.
UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS / Internally Published Works
Document Number 45060-1227-PICARD-071 / PAGE 3
UFP Internally Published Works, Document 45060-1227-PICARD-071
Picard, Jean-Luc / Toward a Tamari Vocabulary / PAGE 4
trust each other enough to join together and defeat the Beast
of Tenagra. The exact meaning of this metaphor when used in
speech is uncertain, perhaps indicating a ceremonial or
auspicious meeting.
Darmok at Tenagra: see Darmok and Julad and also Tenagra.
Darmok of Kadza: see Darmok and Julad and also Tenagra.
Darmok, on the ocean: referring to the incident at Tenagra,
implies loneliness and isolation, especially that of a
solitary journey. It may also carry an implication of
necessary or purposely chosen isolation, in order to prepare
(or be prepared by some outside agency) for some event.
Goodeo beneath mometa! derisive amusement, focus uncertain.
Ittem, his eyes closed: seems to imply "You do not understand!"
Used in the same context as Shinza, at the court of silence
Joeri of Umbaya: a place (?), see Ri and Joeri.
Julad: see Darmok and Julad.
Julad of Ekeetayo: possibly Julad of Aykeetayo, Place of origin
of the hero Julad (?). See Darmok and Julad.
Julad, on the ocean: see Darmok, on the ocean.
Kadza: Place of origin of the hero Darmok (?) See Darmok and
Julad.
Kalimash, at Bahob: Perhaps "Better now, the pain is subsiding
for the moment". Or could mean "Thank you for you concern."
Kazosi's children, their faces wet: another difficult image;
perhaps "I am severely injured" or "my pain is great". See
also Sinda, his face black as ice, a phrase uttered in the
similar context.
Kedeer beneath Omotay: most likely "You do not understand."
Kera, at Ba-sheeb: "Tell me a story" or some other similar idea,
may be derived from a mytho-historical incident of epic
story-telling.
Kurlash, when it rises: This image is difficult to understand. It
seems by context to mean "Now it begins" or "It is under way,
do not interfere".
Lunga, also Lunga, the sky gray: a place, see Ri and Joeri.
Luwani under two moons: a place (?), origin of Ri, see Ri and
UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS / Internally Published Works
Document Number 45060-1227-PICARD-071 / PAGE 4
UFP Internally Published Works, Document 45060-1227-PICARD-071
Picard, Jean-Luc / Toward a Tamari Vocabulary / PAGE 5
Joeri.
Mirab, his sails unfurled: perhaps a reference to a mariner of
legend, by usage a command to engage engines and depart with
deliberate speed.
Picard and Datha, at El-Adril: The experience I shared with
Datha, captain of the Tamarian ship, seems to have now passed
into the mytho-historical background of the Children of Tama.
What the account of this experience will come to imply, I
cannot tell. Certainly, the story of Picard and Datha, at El-
Adril is one of mixed success and failure, perhaps of
ultimate success despite many failures. Or perhaps it implies
success mingled with tragedy and loss, for I personally mourn
the loss of Datha, who was a noble and brave being, from whom
I learned much.
Ri and Joeri, at Lunga: possibly a historic meeting between
representatives of countries previously not known to each
other. May connote the method, or tone of a meeting, implying
that cordial (verbal) greetings were exchanged and a hopeful
beginning made.
Ri of Luwani: see Ri and Joeri.
The River Tamock, in winter: "Silence!" or possibly a request for
cessation of hostile activity.
Shaka, when the walls fell: Denotes failure, an attempt was
unsuccessful.
Shinza, at the court of silence: also used in alternate form:
Shinza, at court. The court of silence. May imply a failure
to understand. See also Ittem, his eyes closed.
Sinda, his face black as ice: Similar to the reference to
Kazosi's children, seeming to connote severe pain, injury, or
a bleak estimation of one's chances of surviving an
experience.
Sinda, his face black, his eyes red: Could illustrate extreme
anger or angry resolve to take some action. More likely,
indicates that someone is injured or near death.
Sucath, his eyes open! "You understand!"
Sucath, his eyes uncovered! "You understand!"
Tamock: A river, see The River Tamock, in winter.
Tenagra: an island continent of legend, either identical with, or
based on the one of the same name on the planet Chantil III.
see Darmok and Julad.
UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS / Internally Published Works
Document Number 45060-1227-PICARD-071 / PAGE 5
UFP Internally Published Works, Document 45060-1227-PICARD-071
Picard, Jean-Luc / Toward a Tamari Vocabulary / PAGE 6
Timba, at rest. "I am satisfied"; used to politely refuse
something offered.
Timba, his arms wide: "This is a gift, take it" or perhaps "Take
this, you will need it." Also means in other contexts, "give
me __________" (name or indicate object).
Umbaya, of Cross Roads: a place (?), see Ri and Joeri.
Usani, his army at Lashmere: A mytho-historic battle, now
implying a certain military or tactical strategy.
Usani, his army with fist open, and Usani, his army with fist
closed: a military or tactical strategy, involving two
forces, one to engage and distract and enemy on one front,
while the second attacks with stealth on another.
Zena and Anso or perhaps Zena at Anso: Possibly some other
auspicious first-time meeting, offered as an alternative to
the Darmok and Julad model, by the Tamarian first officer to
his captain (during the El-Adril incident). See Zena and
Bacar.
Zena and Bacar: see Zena and Anso.
TOWARD A TAMARI VOCABULARY, A Beginning, copyright © 1991 Thomas
M. Peters. All rights reserved, may not be reproduced without
permission of the author.
Based on characters created by Gene Roddenberry. All Tamarian
terminology taken from the series Star Trek: The Next Generation,
created by Gene Roddenberry.
UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS / Internally Published Works
Document Number 45060-1227-PICARD-071 / PAGE 6
|
|
