fandomhigh | Speaking in Tongues [15/02]: Library

Karal was beaming at everyone from one of the tables. Once everyone was there, he stood up. "I thought, in honour of yesterday's holiday and tonight's dance, we could teach each other some appropriate phrases for both the day and the occasion.

I also made a list of what everyone speaks, which could prove useful." He handed it out.

Adah: English, French, mathematics, virology and belligerent Southern Baptist. Latin, Igpay Atinlay, Japanese, Kilanga. (A self-proclaimed expert in Sdrawkcab eht fo Egaugnal eht and Garmaan.)
Andrew: Latin and some French, ancient Etruscan, Indo-Iranian, Indo-European dialects, Akkadian and Sumerian, some rural tribal dialects
Carmela: English, Spanish, Japanese, French, Ailurin and Cyene
Evey: Latin, some French
Hoshi: all Earth-based languages
Inara: Chinese, French, Italian (can read Japanese)
John: French
Karal: Karsite, Valdemaran, Imperial
Lana: swan, snake, cat, and panther
Naomi: Ktarian
Romeo: Some Latin and Italian
Seregil i Korit Solun Meringill Bokthersa: Aurenfaie, Skalan, Plenimaran, Zengati, Dravnian

I think if those who are willing to teach get into pairs or small groups with those who wish to learn, we should all be able to come away with some new additions to our vocabulary. To get us started, Te'sorthene means heart-friend or spirit-friend in Shin'a'in, not necessarily someone for whom you have romantic feelings, but someone with whom you share a close-bond, ashke means beloved, kechara means beloved or darling, and Shay'kreth'ashke means lifebonded, someone with whom you share a deep, permanent connection, and that one is romantic." He shook his head. "A very poetic language, and one of which I wish I knew more. For those of you who brought terrible poetry, please feel free to share them, and we can work on translating them as well."

[oooc: OCD

coming

up! And, yeah, I'm playing fast and loose with the definition of life-bonded, but Karal's looking at it from a Karsite perspective.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

If you're willing to teach some words and phrases that suit the season (or help translate bad poetry), ping in here, and people can ping to you to learn.

(NB: Karal said 'appropriate for the season' - it's up to you to decide what appropriate means! Cynics can have free rein.)

Edited 2008-02-15 20:05 (UTC)

He's more than happy to teach anyone anything they want - Karse, for all its stodginess, might just have some pretty darn romantic sayings.

Hoshi was happy to teach the appropriate phrases in Russian. She was on the fence about Valentine's Day madness.

Это будет тупоумный праздник = This is a stupid holiday.

Я люблю розовые сердца! = I love pink hearts!

Liir only knew a few things in Arjiki and Quadling, but he was willing to teach it to anyone if they wanted.

This, of course, lead Adah to interpreting this to mean writing a several suggestive things in French. All the more fun for those who recognized it, even better for those who might like to learn what they mean.

John was studying French and very interested to see what Adah was writing.

Noticing John's attention, Adah quickly finished up the three lines she was writing, and slid the paper his way with an added, "See anything familiar? Anything you'd like translated?" below the following:

Je dois admettre, je suis tout fasciné par vos melons ; est-ce que je pourrais leur donner une compression ? Ampèreheure, oui. Fruit très fin en effet.

Ces vêtements semblent bons sur vous. Ils sembleraient meilleurs sur mon plancher.

Est-ce que c'est un rouleau de quarts dans votre poche ou êtes-vous simplement heureux de me voir?

Ah, French. She loved how it either made guttural and awful things continue to sound that way or, depending on your mood, make them sound like the most romantic thing imaginable?

Also, she might be twelve at the moment.

John laughed, "Who knew pick-up lines could sound so phlegmy?" Granted, he didn't read them aloud because his accent was atrocious, but a guy could imagine.

Grinning slightly, Adah scribbled down another note and passed it over.

"C'a pu être plus mauvais. Il pourrait être allemand.

Think you'll get any mileage out of any of those? I'm rather fond of the second myself."

"If it was German, I would be completely lost," John told her. "And somehow I don't think my girlfriend would find these amusing. Not that that will stop me from trying..."

"German's one I still haven't picked up, either," Adah wrote back, with a rueful smile. "And I am saddened that I'll probably miss seeing how that works out for you, but bonne chance."

"Are you intending to try one out?" John asked curiously. "Because that would make for some interesting viewing."

Adah tilted her head, looking particularly thoughtful, as if it didn't occur to her that perhaps she should, and left that inquisitively considering look to be her answer.

Speaking in Tongues [15/02]: Library

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