Intergalactic English?

[<-Såm-«]

Okay, I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has a complaint about this one. Why is it that in so many science fiction novels, movies, and television shows, every species/entity speaks English? Some even seem to have developed accents, but who decided that English should be the intergalactic language to be adopted by all nations, planets, and species? Any thoughts?

[Widdershins Wizard]

Well, I suppose there are several ways one could look at it. At some level, as a lot of science fiction comes out of the US (more so, I'd imagine, than the UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand -- or those odd English-speaking countries like Belize), it might have to do with ideas of American strength, imperialism, &c. -- basically, as a sort of ego-boost to all us Americans and, to a lesser extent, English-speakers in general. If those aliens don't speak English, *gets gun* what are they gonna speak? *click*

But I'm not enough of a sociologist to believe that. It has to do with simple ease. Most members of an audience do not have the time to keep track of what languages are or are not spoken by this or that character. Even in the "geeky" realms of sci-fi and fantasy. That, and coming up with sufficiently alien-sounding languages is hard work. Who says those things will have mouths and throats shaped like ours? What kind of sounds would even be produced by something with a differently shaped mouth? And then there is the matter of producing a complete language -- a task that isn't impossible but certainly challenging. So, why not instead just have the aliens all speak one common language, and why not have that language be the same as the language as the creator of the book/movie/video game/television show? Ideal? No. But most of the audience won't mind and will be far more focused on the plot/characters/scenery.

Science fiction, at least, has the option of something like a universal translator. Even if they're invisibly attached to the mouths of the alien characters, you can pretend they are there, if they aren't mentioned already. Fantasy, on the other hand, tends to have characters from different countries, if not continents, easily talk to one another. Often not even with any signs of dialect. And don't get me started on characters from different dimensions...

[<-Såm-«]

Oh, don't worry, I never get started on different dimensions. If it isn't in the clear in the general physics community, I tend to leave it alone (ha ha, that's a lie). Well fantasy I understand for the same reason that all other fantasy makes sense, "because it's magic." If magic exists, then nobody really needs an explanation for anything, do they? Talking sea sponges can speak English in fantasy if there's magic involved, but if the genre were more science-fiction-y, I wouldn't buy it. It's strange how that works.

[Widdershins Wizard]

Well fantasy I understand for the same reason that all other fantasy makes sense, "because it's magic."

So, deus ex machinae are okay? If two people from different parts of the world can speak to one another fluently despite growing up in completely separate cultures and never leaving their small villages, then there is a problem -- the same problem present when an alien pops up speaking English.

'Sides, if you can buy magic in fantasy, why not universal translators in science-fiction?

[<-Såm-«]

Those are both valid questions, because intergalactic translators have scarcely ever come into question in any science fiction movie I've seen or book I've read, while that number may be slim. It seems like a very basic, easy, no-questions-asked way to solve such a common lapse in logic, and I can't really think of a downside to including it in a story. I wonder why more people haven't thought of a similar thing?

And in the world of fantasy, deus ex machinae are A-okay with me. Or, rather, I just try not to argue against them, because I always get the same response ("It's magic, okay? Stop complaining" ). In Harry Potter, when a new spell comes along immediately out of convenience to the author and the plot, we have no choice but to assume that the spell did exist before, but was just never brought up. While I do prefer more of a Chekov's Gun approach (Look at this, here? This spell is going to be important later!), I've learned to accept that fantasy, especially in a real world setting, has to be let to go without explanation at times.

Wow, that was a terribly long tangent, wasn't it? The point is, for science fiction, I definitely agree that a translator would make the most sense as to why people can communicate across solar systems in the same language. For fantasy... you do have a point, but sometimes I tend to let things in that genre slide. Maybe it's out of laziness, or maybe it's because fantasy is my favorite genre

[Widdershins Wizard]

Well, here's another question, then: if universal translators seem like a good idea, who's to say they aren't present already in all of these movies and books and television shows that you've seen? Mayhap they're just not noted? Further, if that were the case, that such things existed but the writer(s) felt no need to alert the audience to their existence, then what ways does it differ from Magic! explaining how two people of different cultures and continents can communicate easily with one another?

And make no mistake: fantasy is my favorite genre to. But, that's precisely why excusing sloppy writing is something I can't do. The excuse of "It's magic!" only has as much weight as the person hearing it gives it.

Though, tangentially, I think you raise an interesting point about things existing before they are otherwise presented, and it's a problem that's present throughout all the "speculative" genres. It'd be interesting to find out how people view it in science fiction compared to fantasy, especially, as a part of me thinks there would be some sort of difference (eg "They've had universal translators attached to their collars this whole time and the author didn't have a chance to mention it? Cool!" vs. "They've been using this magic spell to communicate this whole time and the author is only now mentioning it? Lame.").

[Pyralis Demos]

There are 3 main reasons I generally accept:
1. I've always believed that aliens did speak their own languages in most books. The author merely translates it to make it easier on the reader. That's the simple answer.
2. There's also the fact that, because English is the most widely used language in the world, the author is most likely a fluent English speaker.
3. Finally, have you ever translated a Chinese sci-fi book? Chances are, the aliens speak Chinese in it.

[<-Såm-«]

Adeon: Technically, Mandarin is the most spoken language in the world by native speakers (sorry, just had to get that out of the way ). So then why wouldn't the aliens come speaking Mandarin?

Anyways, that all may be true, but it's only for the convenience of the author in all cases that such subtleties are excused. If the author had translated all of the dialogue to make it easier on the reader, then why is it that all of the characters can inherently understand alien speech? The funniest thing is, to me, that in science fiction movies for a younger audience, the aliens almost always use a foreign script composed oftentimes of archaic pictograms or etchings and yet speak English fluently.

Wizard: That's just it, though. The fact that the translators may exist and yet are never mentioned bothers me. Something like that must be brought up at some point, in my opinion.

And yes, magic is one giant deus ex machina, but in a magical world (Narnia comes to mind) in which animals talk, trees move, and giant lions turn stone "back" to life, whether or not the animals should be communicating in English or in some other tongue is the furthest thing from my mind. I mean, it wouldn't make sense in most cases to have the animals speak privately in their own fabricated language for all anthropomorphic beasts, and if they communicated through the natural sounds that their vocal cords are designed to produce then it would defeat the purpose of having talking animals in the first place. So in the end, why shouldn't they speak English? I suppose that's just one way of thinking of this, though. I'm interested in hearing your opinion.

[Widdershins Wizard]

@adeon: II and III are meta-fictional reasons, but those aren't really satisfactory answers. With respect to I, well, the author ought to note the difference. When I am writing characters speaking in different languages, I note it. Eg. "...so-and-so said in such-and-such-language..." It's common courtesy, and it makes the setting seamless. It also adds complexities that having aliens/characters inexplicably speaking English/the same language doesn't.

@sam: I s'pose I have a problem reconciling the problem of the invisible universal translator and the invisible magical solution. To me they very much seem alike, in that in both cases the solution isn't (necessarily) incredibly deep and far-reaching in its implications, and that the solution is just very easy.

And I do not think magic is always a deus ex machina. It depends largely upon how the writer uses it. If it is an inherent part of the world that animals talk, then I wouldn't call that a deus ex machina any more than gravity is a deus ex machina to us *eagerly awaits the cult of gravity worshipers*. Likewise, if magic is an inherent part of the world, and it is established that certain things can or cannot be done with it, and it is established with authority (as in, more than just people guessing that such-and-such can't be done), I don't really see its deus ex machina qualities. Likewise, if those established idea *are* broken, but broken in a way that makes sense for the world, again, it isn't really a deus ex machina -- it's a natural part of the world. And I realize this whole paragraph is something of a tangent, but I am the sort of person who cannot over-look something he disagrees with, unfortunately, so forgive me.

As to the animals speaking English (or whatever), I do not really think that is a good counter-example. My original point was about two people from vastly different parts of the same world (or other dimensions *looks at Steven Erikson -- so perfect a world-builder save for just that one problem*) being able to understand one another night perfectly despite having little contact outside their own cultures. Animals being able to magically talk to people is notable, certainly, but, as you said, if animals need to communicate with the main characters, how else are they? But with people, with sentient beings who doubtless possess the wherewithal and/or creativity needed to communicate to other people, there's little reason for the author to take the short and easy road of having them instantly understand one another. If magic is involved, it should be mentioned. And if magic isn't, then they should struggle to communicate, struggle to find a language they share, or to communicate via some non-verbal method. I once read a short story by Daniel Abraham, the title of which I forget, about two hunters who were each desirous of killing a demon for reasons of vengeance. As they travelled together, they gradually learned one another's language, but there were still definite barriers -- cultural and otherwise -- between them, and it made the story lovely, and compelling, and interesting.

[Pyralis Demos]

@wizard: For the 2nd and 3rd answers... it wasn't really supposed to come out meta-fictionally. What I meant by that is if you are reading a sci-fi book written in English, the aliens would speak English. If it's written in Spanish, the aliens would speak Spanish. IF in Japanese, they would speak Japanese.

@ Sam: Really? Mandarin? hm... I had always been told it was English. It makes sense sing as how many Chinese there are. I had just always thought that since the U.S., U.K., Australia, Parts of Canada, parts of Mexico, Belize, parts of Brazil, parts of France, and so on all spoke English that, well, English was the most widely used spoken language.

Just looked it up... you were right.

[Widdershins Wizard]

What I meant by that is if you are reading a sci-fi book written in English, the aliens would speak English. If it's written in Spanish, the aliens would speak Spanish. IF in Japanese, they would speak Japanese.

That's the very definition of meta-fiction. ^_^ It's a reason that exists outside the fiction itself. In fact, they might even be beyond that... hmm. I am now lost somewhere in my thoughts. I suppose, rather, that II and III are rather tautological (well, III more than II) -- aside from being meta-fictional (or maybe beyond meta-fictional... meta-meta-fictional?) -- in that, yes, a book published in a predominantly English-speaking country is more than likely going to be written in English, and so on with television, movies, &c. But that doesn't really explain anything... Media not in English are more notable and questionable, and you'd have to be a fool (or genius?) to try and appeal to an English-speaking country in, say, French or Mandarin or Tuvan. I think Sam's original post should rather read, "why do aliens and humans speak the same language", not, "why do aliens speak English", as it leads to what, I think, she is trying to get at. *is still floating somewhere, lost and puzzled by his own thoughts*

[<-Såm-«]

See, that's true, I should have worded that differently. And it seems that we are arguing two different planes of the same issue, Wizard This is interesting, though. I completely understand what you mean, Adeon, about the author's compulsion to write strictly in the language of the audience to which the book will be marketed. It seems as if there are three different ways in which authors approach the language barrier conundrum (admittedly vague, generalized means):

*All peoples speak the same language with little or no problem or explanation. The characters are not bothered by this, and the readers often let it alone.

*The author works in completely random or strategically placed words or phrases of a character's native tongue, employed usually when the character is cursing, muttering, ushering forth comrades into battle, or chatting with their own kind. This can be completely random and done solely to instill a feeling of "diversity," or can be used very well to imply that there is a much larger picture (I think that Lord Of The Rings fits snugly into this category). Still, nobody really asks the question: why does everyone speak the same language, namely whatever language the humans are speaking?

*Diverse languages and cultures are seamlessly woven into a story through casual dialogue, alien gestures and expressions, unusual dress, and timely reminders that humans are not the only creatures in the universe. Characters may speak many languages and converse with other races in a foreign tongue, the meaning of the conversation conveyed to the author by means of subtitles or contextual hints. Star Wars is just one example; the aliens often speak in their own languages and use gestures that the audience is not familiar with. Still, very human mannerisms are worked in to make the characters altogether more likable, but a greater sense of diversity is achieved.

That's just my opinion. And Wizard, would you mind sharing a link to that story? It sounds interesting. I think you're right in saying that the best way to do magic right in a story is to address it properly. Maybe that's where a lot of these authors have gone wrong.

[Widdershins Wizard]

It is in this collection: "A Hunter in Arin-Qin". I do not believe that it is posted anywhere on-line, though.

[<-Såm-«]

That's unfortunate, but I'll look into it.