Cross Species Communications - Monday

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

"Hello class." Mary said as soon as the classroom had settled down. "I hope you all had a pleasant weekend. I was able to meet with a few parents, guardians and... Others."

Yes Jude she's looking at you.

"If your parents or guardians were not able to attend this weekend I would be happy to discuss your progress with them over the phone. But it is up to you to let them know that is an option."

No, she's not smirking.

"Today we are discussing the language of Filis silvestris catus, also known as the domesticated or 'house' cat. The language itself will serve with any member of the Felidae family. But, being the language of a branch that shares it's habitat for the most part with humans, the vocabulary is a bit broader. The domesticated language lends itself more to direct translation from human languages. A wild cat, be it a feral silvestris catus or one of the lager wild Felidae, will understand what you're saying if you speak Domestic to it. Though they might think you sound a bit... Posh. We have two guest speakers today to illustrate this, but we'll get to that in a bit."

"They use more than one hundred vocalizations and types of body language for communication." Mary explained. "Which makes it about ten times as complex as the language of hounds which we've already covered. The unique sound a cat makes is rendered onomatopoeically as "meow" or similar variants ("miaow", "miau" etc.) in most European languages as well as Mandarin Chinese. Though the French often write the sound a cat makes as 'ron'. Japanese has it as "nyaau", "nyu", or "nyan"; Korean as "yaong" or "nyaong". In Arabic the sound is transcribed as "mowa'a" or "naw". Other variants exist throughout the world. This unique sound is referred to by those who consider themselves experts as a 'Call'. Hence the phrase 'Cat Call'. The cat's pronunciation of this call varies significantly depending onmeaning. Usually cats call out to indicate pain, request humanattention (to be fed or played with, for example), or as a greeting."

Mary goes on to give some information about communication and body language.

"As I said before, we have two guest speakers today. One is... Merdebaise..." Mary didn't comment on the meaning of that name. "Who was until recently fending for herself. The other is Pywackit, who has lived with people all his life."

[ooc: Sorry for lateness, please wait for OCD open!]]

Comments

GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

Pywackit seems rather aloof.

Big surprise.

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

Willow was very excited. She'd been looking forward to this particular class.

//Hello, how are you?// Willow asked.

[ooc: going to bed, actually, just wanted to ping in so I wouldn't forget. Shall pick up tags tomorrow]

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

//I'm well... Human. And how might you be?//

Pywackit seemed to consider what to call Willow before calling her "Human".

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

//Very well, thank you,// Willow said. //My name is Willow.//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

//It is not at all unpleasant to meet you wheeping-tree.// The cat responds, considerably less aloof then he is acting with the majority of the other students.

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

//Thank you very much,// Willow said. //Would you be terribly bothered if I asked you some questions?//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

//I was warned there would be questions.// The cat responded. //Ask which ever questions you wish.//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[ktarian-wildman.livejournal.com]

//Hello, is today treating you well?// Naomi asked.

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

//Today has been quite acceptable.// the cat answered.

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[ktarian-wildman.livejournal.com]

//Are you enjoying fandom?//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

//As I said, it's acceptable.// the cat said licking its paw.

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[ktarian-wildman.livejournal.com]

Naomi considered another question //what do you like to do for fun?//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

//Wash, sleep, eat... Kill small prey... Chase spirits.//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[grenfelzer.livejournal.com]

Carmela decides to repeat the question she'd asked Merdebaise. //Is your name of your own choosing, or did a human give it to you?//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

Pywackit thought for a moment.

//A little bit of both I'd say.// He answered. //The name given me by my Human Mistress is the person speech versaion of my actual name.//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

//Hello,// Lana said politely. //It is good to meet you.// Her accent was clearly influenced by Panther.

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

Pywackit is intrigued.

//Hello Panther she-mortal. I'm not displeased to be here.//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana blinked at him in surprise for a moment, then realized what the cat must be picking up. //Oh! I had a... friend... who was a panther for a while. That must be what you are hearing.// She thought for a second. //Um... What is the best part about being a cat?//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

//...We are superior beings.// The cat said as if it was obvious.

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana nodded. //Do you hunt for your own food or is it provided for you?//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[ranma-sao.livejournal.com]

Ranma is at least 10 feet away, and sweating bullets. He can just BARELY force himself to meow. //Hello...//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

//Fear not inferior one, I shall not harm you unless my Mistress commands it or you attack me.//

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[ranma-sao.livejournal.com]

He takes and abrupt step backwards when Pywackit speaks. //I... have a problem with cats... I can't go closer.// He looks at his feet. Argg meowing?! He's scaring HIMSELF.

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

Pywackit twitched his ears in annoyance.

//I didn't command you come closer. Stay there if you like, but I'll not shout across the room simply because you're afraid.// He said before starting to clean his paw.

Re: GUEST SPEAKER - Pywackit

[ranma-sao.livejournal.com]

This touches a nerve and he looks a bit angry, indignently he steps 2 feet closer. //It's not my fault.//