Logical Use of Earth Mythology

[webmouse]

One of the aspects of Stargate that I like most is that the show's creators have made logical use of Earth mythology and a plausible explanation why so many alien people look just like us (and our actors, of course).

Many SciFi series -- the Star Trek shows, in particular -- struggle to come up with names and races that sound sufficiently alien by using words that anyone with a modest education can see are contrived. There is no explanation, for instance, why there is a planet named Vulcan (Roman god) or Romulus (more Roman mythology). Why is a Ferengi named Rom ("read only memory"?) Why is the changeling Odo named for William the Conqueror's brother (ok, maybe I'm more than modestly educated )

Stargate's use of Earth's own mythology is done in a logical manner, from the Egyptians to the Asgard, meshing with those who believe that many of Earth's religions may have been started with visitors from other planets. Not a theory I subscribe to, but if it works for the writers, its great.

[Legal Beagle]

I always thought Gene Rodenbury (sp.) chose the names of Vulcan and Romulus because the names were exotic yet fimilar and people always accept the fimilar much more easily. You must understand that when ST came out it was being introduced to an audience who were taught to reject everything different (i.e. Cold War mentality).

[Tabitha]

I was just wondering about the Vulcan and Romulas/Remus thing just the other day. I was thinking that it could have been an interesting story to explore the fact that these names meant something to us on earth already. Perhaps a story about an earth cult/religion that still worshipped the Roman gods, and what they would make of Vulcans and the like.

I do love how SG1 uses the mythos though - I am only really familiar with Greek and Roman myth (and a very little of Egyptian) so I always find it enjoyable when a new goa'uld is introduced.

[webmouse]

Originally posted by Legal Beagle
I always thought Gene Rodenbury (sp.) chose the names of Vulcan and Romulus because the names were exotic yet fimilar and people always accept the fimilar much more easily. You must understand that when ST came out it was being introduced to an audience who were taught to reject everything different (i.e. Cold War mentality).

That makes a lot of sense for the original Star Trek series, but the Roddenbury shows have continued the practice to the present, including character names on "Andromeda." It has always bothered me and has inspired numerous explanations from others on why such terms are used. My son's explanation may be one of the better ones: that the Universal Translator grabs the English word with the nearest sound and meaning.

Of course, there's another problem -- everyone in the Universe speaks English or we all have fish in our ears per Douglas Adams

[Legal Beagle]

Originally posted by webmouse
Of course, there's another problem -- everyone in the Universe speaks English or we all have fish in our ears per Douglas Adams

I've always wondered that too. Stargate SG-1 is guilty of this too. One episode in particular stuck me as odd in this realm was the one where we meet the followers of Frair (sp?). These people I figure would be closely aligned with Scandanavians here on earth so I would expect to hear Norweign or Finish, not English. But then again - it is only a TV show. :lol:

[webmouse]

"Enterprise" has been doing a lot more with creating alien languages because the story is set before a fully functional Universal Translator. "Stargate" the movie used subtitles for the dialogue with Ra and the people of Abydos.

I'm ok with subtitles and strange languages, but I can see that the writers and actors have to work harder to get the added level of reality which many viewers won't appreciate anyway.

[Falcon Horus]

I would love to see an epi in which the people speak something else then English. It would be great, I think! In The Mummy I en II, they could do it with subtitles too so just one epi and I would be happy. They can use an easy language like Dutch maybe (Hehe!!). No, that's a difficult language. Anyway, I would love it!!

Falcon Horus

[webmouse]

I'd say go with Gaelic. Navaho would be could to.

[gland]

Well, one could explain away Abydos by the fact that Daniel lived there for...how long again? Anyway, he likely tought them.

Recall "Fire and Water", where SG-1 was made to believe that Daniel was dead, only he was really abducted by an aquatic alien who had to hear him talk a bit to learn english. Then there are races like the Asgard, who are probably just that damn smart that they can speak whatever the hell they want.

[webmouse]

Originally posted by gland
Well, one could explain away Abydos by the fact that Daniel lived there for...how long again? Anyway, he likely tought them.

It is unlikely that the entire population learned a new language in a year, expecially since there was no anticipated future contact with Earth. Logically, Daniel would have spent the year perfecting his Abydonian.

Originally posted by gland
Recall "Fire and Water", where SG-1 was made to believe that Daniel was dead, only he was really abducted by an aquatic alien who had to hear him talk a bit to learn english. [/b]

I think sometimes that English speakers, especially Americans, feel put out when faced with people who don't speak English. We just expect all people to communicate with us in our language. The Fire and Water solution was a wonderful. I can understand why the producers of SG1 do not want to get stuck in subtitles for alien languages and think that the use of Unas, Goa'uld, etc. is done very well -- often with minimal translation.

Even just a mention now and then that communication does not occur with a 'Universal Translater' or 'a fish in the ear' is a help.

It is also helpful when entering an alien ship or handling a device that SG1 doesn't just 'know' how the thing works. There is no universal marking system.

So, where is the play button on this thing? :rolly2:

[PTeppic]

Originally posted by webmouse
I think sometimes that English speakers, especially Americans, feel put out when faced with people who don't speak English. We just expect all people to communicate with us in our language.
[ . . . ]
I can understand why the producers of SG1 do not want to get stuck in subtitles for alien languages and think that the use of Unas, Goa'uld, etc. is done very well -- often with minimal translation.

I think the English are even worse.. and we live in the middle of a multi-national, multi-language continent! As for languages, imagine how much extra expense it would be to require the production of new languages/words/phrases, if TPTB want proper grammar etc,. in the style of e.g. Klingon. Or, I suppose, and much cheaper, if they're only for a single episode/incident, just make it up...