I’m still posting from War’s End, a work in progress. Last week Audi attempted to communicate with the Maung, using the reader to show an approximation of its color-pattern language. They’ve managed to exchange “friend,” and she’s asked it to stay with them. Its response is a surprise.
The creature flashed white and silver, and then waved a tentacle toward the keypad on the reader. Audi hesitated, but held the reader where the Maung could reach it. The tentacle reached out, touching the keypad purposefully, but slowly, and letters grew on the screen.
Trade talk.
Audi’s eyes widened as she took back the reader and hastily typed, Maung know trade talk? and then held the reader back toward the creature.
Little, grew on the screen, and Audi grinned.
“We lucked out,” she told the other Humans. “This one knows a little trade talk.”
Trade talk? What’s that?
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Audi. I like that name. Nice, intriguing, and makes me want to know more.
Audi’s short for Emeraude.
I’m curious about trade talk, too 🙂
Next week!
That’s a very good question – what is trade talk? The Maung obviously knows a little English, too! Fascinating 8.
Yes, what is that? Can’t wait to find out!
Zee, Claire, Gemma: I’m rendering Galactica, the lingua Franca of the Confederation, as English. Trade talk is a very simplified, computer-mediated inter-species language commonly used in commercial dealings between species, and built into all high-end readers (like Ginger’s) as an emergency tool. The Maung has no vocal chords, but very good vision.
Hmm, interesting development, wonder how this will help them along. I’m fascinated by the maung! Another terrific excerpt!
This whole incident is a small part of the whole plot, but the chapter is a good one for giving a bit at a time.
On the brink of communicating – great snippet. I love the language of color – very creative!
Color and pattern–but it’s a little subtle for us Humans to follow more than the simplest concepts.
This is a fascinating world and your attention to detail is excellent. One could get lost in this tale! Another great excerpt. 🙂
It has a telepathic dog, too, but she’s exhausted after bringing all the castaways together.
The more I read, the more I want to—what a terrific universe you’ve created!
I’m getting the first book of the trilogy edited now, but I’m still not sure whether to try for an agent or small press, or just self publish.
Interesting development here. I can’t wait to see where it will lead.
You won’t wee all of it on Sundays.
It sounds like they speak a mutual language. This is good news!
“Speak” isn’t quite the right word. The Maungs have no vocal chords–but they can communicate after a fashion.
Lucky break, there! Hope it works more to the good than the bad. Nice twist, Sue Ann!
Trade talk makes me think they’ve met humans before.
The Maungs as a species have been trading with the R’il’nai, who are allied with the Humans (their partial ancestors, in fact) for millennia. Only a few, however, of either species knows trade talk.
Looks like you’ve put a lot of thought into your world. Communication with a new species is not likely to be as easy as Hollywood wants it to be 🙂 Well done!
I’ve been building this world for probably 40 or 50 years.
Wonderful, Sue Ann. You’ve crossed a major hurdle–in the story and for the author. Now that a common language has been established, it makes everything much easier. Excellent snippet. 🙂
Common, yes, but very primitive.
Trade talk? Maybe trade recipes? 🙂 How exciting that they are able to communicate even if their not sure what it means. I loved this snippet and can’t wait to see what happens next.
See next week.
Communication – brilliant. Nice snippet.
Communication’s pretty important.
Very intriguing world you’ve created. I want to learn more about Maung and Audi. And of course, what trade talk means. Great hook.
The Maung. Maungs are a species. If you search “Maung” on my blog you should find out more about them.
Excellent snippet. One of the books I’m reading right now deals with the history of commodities and food so that’s the first thing I thought of when “Trade Talk” popped on the screen. Can’t wait to read what happens next weeks
Close!
Success – and a little good luck! Good snippet, Sue Ann.
They need a little luck.
Very intriguing!!
Hope I can get it out someday
I like the idea of it communicating with colors and patterns.
Cuttlefish do it, though apparently as a mating display.
Trade talk…..trade among people with different communication skills. It reminds me of Kokopelli who roamed the southwest among the tribes with his flute for communication.
Some kind of mutual communication is needed among groups to exchange goods or services.