999 OCTILLION SOULS, June 1, 2024
I FLIGHT
Start here:
Previous:
TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:The following information is derived from Information Seed 40 and received by the Gravitational Wave Observatory. I and AI performed a frequency analysis on it. IE edited certain parts to make them more 'readable'. (He might have overdone it.) Please feel free to comment.30
EXCERPT FROM ECHOES OF THE SWARMS
Govoreet
Primarily used for interstellar communication (20% on Earth)
This constructed language, developed during the early Illuminated Epoch, served as the official tongue of the OEF. Designed for clarity and efficiency, Govoreet combined elements of major Earth languages with logical constructs to facilitate communication between the diverse species encountered during interstellar expansion. After the start of the Andromeda Merger, Govoreet fell out of common usage on Earth, though it remains the primary language for interstellar OEF communication amongst scattered human settlements.
Simplified Latin
The dominant language in academia and historical research (10% on Earth)
Latin, with its historical significance as a root language for many Earth cultures, experienced a resurgence during the late Swarming era. However, a simplified version, stripped of complex grammar and focusing on core vocabulary, became the dominant form. This Simplified Latin served as a lingua franca for scholars and researchers, fostering a connection to humanity's pre-swarm past.
luo_ji: when will we learn about the Grand Emperor’s harem or the brothel he frequents?
potus: hopefully never
pilot_sui: madam president!
potus: former president. I just came by to say hi
Ancient English (Archival)
Taught in specialized schools, fluency is rare (1% on Earth)
The original English language, though heavily mutated and fragmented over megayears, continued to hold a place of reverence. It was taught not for everyday use, but as a key to unlocking humanity's cultural heritage. Understanding ancient English allowed access to mammoth archives of literature, historical documents, and holo-recordings from Earth's pre-swarm past.
Revised Esperanto
Spoken in scattered communities promoting inter-regional unity (5% on Earth)
This reimagining of the early 20th century's Esperanto project aimed for a truly universal language. Building upon the core principles of Esperanto, the revised version incorporated elements of many languages encountered during interstellar exploration. While not universally adopted, Revised Esperanto found favor amongst some post-swarm communities seeking a new, unifying language for scattered humanity.
Regional Dialects
The dominant form of communication in most settlements (72% on Earth)
The Andromeda Merger led to a resurgence of regional dialects and languages. Cut off from each other and forced to rebuild in isolation, various human settlements developed linguistic quirks and accents. These regional dialects, while sometimes causing communication barriers, also demonstrated the resilience of human culture.
Xenospeech
With confirmed contact with alien species during the late Illuminated Epoch, the study of Xenospeech, the communication methods of these alien intelligences, became a field of study. While deciphering these alien languages proved immensely challenging, Xenospeech offered a glimpse into the cultures of these non-human neighbors.
The immense expanse of the Solar System held a patchwork of settlements, each with its cultural identity. This fragmentation has, not surprisingly, led to the blossoming of distinct regional dialects.
Earth
Neo-American (55%)
Euro-African (45%)
Neo-American
Dominant in North and South America, this dialect incorporated influences from pre-swarm languages and immigrant communities. Expect twangs from the Asteroid Belt colonies mixed with rhythmic beats reflecting Martian music. Words like "sky-elevator" (orbital tether) and "glitterbugs" (asteroids) peppered everyday speech.
Euro-African
A blend of European and African languages spoken across Europe and Africa. This dialect was known for its efficiency and clipped pronunciations. Terms like "solarkraft" (solar power) and "hab-dom" (dome city) were commonplace.
Luna (Moon)
Canton (90%)
Minorities speak Earth dialects (10%)
Canton
Developed from a mix of Chinese and other Asian languages, Canton was the primary language of Luna. It featured tonal variations and emphasized practicality. Words like "mingshi" (bright time, lunar day) and "ye mian" (shadow side, lunar night) reflect the lunar environment.
Mars
Terraforming Creole (70%)
Remainder spoke native languages or regional variants (30%)
Terraforming Creole
This dialect combined elements from the languages of the colonists who came to tame the red planet. Expect slang like "rustbucket" (old Martian rover) and "hydrated" (wealthy, owning a water-rich property) alongside Hindi and Russian influences.
Venus
Cloud City Hindi (80%)
Other Earth dialects and local slang (20%)
Cloud City Hindi
The large Indian diaspora in the Venusian cloud cities had left its mark on the local dialect. CC Hindi was heavily influenced by technological terms, with words like "vaidyut nagar" (city of lightning, referring to a Venusian cloud city) and "garam station" (refinery platform) used commonly.
Asteroid Belt
Belter (85%)
Earth dialects and salvaged languages (15%)
Belter
This pidgin language, born from the interactions between miners of diverse backgrounds, was a fascinating mishmash of English, Russian, Chinese, and other Earth languages. Belter speech was known for its bluntness and colorful metaphors. Words like "spasim" (space station), "wallaby" (small, agile mining ship), and "screamin' mimis" (asteroids with unstable cores) were part of the Belter lexicon.
Jovian Moons
Galilean (60%)
Earth dialects with scientific influences (40%)
Galilean
A dialect with strong influences from European languages, spoken on the moons of Jupiter. Expect scientific terms mixed with colloquialisms. Words like "Europan geyser" (referring to the icy plumes erupting from Europa) and "Jovian shortcut" (referring to slingshot maneuvers around Jupiter) were commonly used.
This was just a taste of the dialects across the Solar System. From the rhythmic slang of the Belters to the technical precision of Canton, these dialects painted a picture of humanity carving a future amongst the stars.
Notes:
These statistics are estimates based on limited data gathered from settlements across the Solar System.
The rise of new sub-dialects makes precise measurement difficult.
The dominance of a particular dialect can vary within a region depending on the specific settlement.
The emergence of fusions of existing dialects is not reflected in these statistics.