Trip Speaking Vulcan

[Aikiweezie]

I think T'Pol "not getting" human idioms is a really funny idea. They did it a few times on the show but I always wanted more. How would you translate "Don't have a cow," and "What's up," for starters. I would imagine that the crew would have fun with this. Or what about her trying to use these figures of speech and getting them wrong or using them inappropriately?

[Asso]

Well, this a hard thread for me, but I find it appetizing. Maybe people could show me lots of idioms, useful and pleasant. And also something about their wrong use.

[WarpGirl]

You know Asso I was curious to see what you thought about this. I mean some of your lovely colorful idioms that must really work in Italian sometimes go over my head. Do you think Trip would stop using human expressions when speaking to the natives in their language?

[Asso]

I eagerly hope he doesn't dare do such a stupid thing! (I mean: ceasing to use his idioms. )

[panyasan]

I am sometimes like T'Pol: I don't get a certain English idiom (but the context helps. Good example: charley horse). Luckily, we have internet dictonairies. And Asso's idioms just makes me want to learn Italian more.
I try to make some own Vulcans sayings, just for fun. I can't use translated saying from my own language into Vulcan. Dutch sayings are a lot about water and sea, which is pretty useless for a language of dessert people.

[WarpGirl]

I guess I don't see Trip as the kind of guy who would take the risk of confusing people by using an idiom that makes no sense in their native language.

[Alelou]

He does it all the time in English, though.

[WarpGirl]

Yeah but he talks to people who know english, or at least have a UT. Even then, how many times did he have to explain what he meant to the aliens he met. Quite a few. So why deliberately confuse a Vulcan speaking Vulcan? Unless he's teasing someone he was intimately aquainted with.

[Alelou]

Hmm. Why would Trip deliberately tease someone...

Seriously, you doubt this?

[Aquarius]

Hmm. Why would Trip deliberately tease someone...

Seriously, you doubt this?

[WarpGirl]

I know he does! Why do you think he's so attractive? But would he do that to a stranger? Or someone in high authority like T'Pau? Assuming she wasn't using a UT.

[honeybee]

I can't imagine Trip not flirting with T'Pau - in a harmless sort of way.

Trip is proud of his humanness, proud of his Southern charm - I'm not only sure he'd use idioms - I think he'd invent some in Vulcan. Make no mistake, I don't think he'd be rude - but he'd be himself. And my guess is the Vulcans would like it that way.

[panyasan]

Even when you use the UT, there are going to be misunderstandings. Think you use the expression "waiting for the other shoe to drop."

You have the Vulcans thinking

"Did we miss the first shoe?"
"Why isn't he holding that second shoe?"
"Why should we waiting for a shoe?"

But I agree with Honeybee, Trips charm is the greatest communicator, people will accept that they don't alsways understand him, but they try to.

[WarpGirl]

I disagree about Vulcans liking it. They didn't like him much before. Even with the Kir'Shara old habits die hard. And I don't think T'Pau would appreciate being flirted with by anyone. She's the scary bat lady.

I just think that it is rude extremely rude to speak with someone and say things that would be deliberately confusing in their own language. Yes Trip's a tease, but he is also an adult and there is a time and place for everything. I just can't see him going to a market and saying "Howdy ma'am." Or something like it, to the little old lady he's never seen selling the Pomleek.

Sometimes I found Trip quite rude. I think it's reasonable to believe he's grown up some. Save the idioms and the teasing for Vulcans he is on personal terms with.

[pdsldl]

Trip may grow up but that doesn't mean he's had a personality transplant. He may be more respectful in diplomatic situations but he was never good at holding his tongue and in more casual surroundings I can't see that changing much.