Tamarian language has a number of in-universe phrases, with “Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra”, “Sokath, his eyes open”, and “Shaka, when the walls fell” being probably the most popular.

Which phrases would be in the language, if Star Trek was used the source for myths and metaphors? Here are a couple of examples that I’ve either seen somewhere else or came up with myself.

  • “Sisko, his plan thwarted.” – when something is fake (scene from “In the Pale Moonlight”).
  • “Q’s present to Data” “Q’s gift to Data” – laughter (from this scene)
  • A bunch from the root beer scene in DS9 (a favorite of mine):
    • “Quark’s Kanar” – useless merchandise
    • “Garak drinks root beer” – disgust
    • “Quark and his cousin’s moon” – envy
  • “Pulaski calling Data” – mispronunciation (scene)
  • “Kira Nerys and pottery” – about a vocation or a hobby that is imposed on a person (from her D’jarra in DS9 episode “Accession”)
  • “Picard’s four lights” – resiliency under pressure/torture (scene)
  • “Data is fully functional” – sexual proficiency (scene)
  • “Lieutenant junior grade Picard” – lack of ambition (TNG episode “Tapestry”)

What do you think of these? I’d love to hear more examples. I’d also appreciate improvements in wording, because some of the above are pretty awkward.

  • @[email protected]OPEnglish
    1•1 year ago

    Osyraa, as she was rejected by Vance (Disco, calling out hypocrisy)
    Christopher, the crystal grasped firmly (Disco again, duty in the face of suffering)

    I haven’t watched last season of Discovery, so I forget what these are referencing.

    Solum, the wormhole collapsing (Prodigy, defiance in the face of insurmountable odds)
    Una and Spock, together on the turbolift (Short Treks, the sharing of embarassing personal secrets)
    La’an, as she stares at her watch (SNW, despair from holding in a secret)

    Love it. I should have though of SNW phrases myself. There’s also one about Ortegas:

    Ortegas, I drive the ship! - That fulfilling feeling from knowing your purpose in life.

    from https://startrek.website/comment/3056386

    • @[email protected]English
      2•1 year ago

      Disco S3: Admiral Charles Vance had the option to sign a peace treaty with the Emerald Chain which would essentially merge it with the Federation, putting the Chain’s hegemony over the alpha quadrant with the Federation’s political legitimacy. Vance looked over the terms and (with a gun metaphorically to his head) conceded they were actually pretty good, he asked for only one concession: that Minister Osryaa be prosecuted for her many (and well documented) crimes. She wasn’t keen on this, so Vance rejected the treaty because he considered the UFP’s ideals worth dying for. Basically, Osyraa put on the face of a reformer but Vance correctly noted she just wanted the Federation brand.

      Disco S2: Captain Christopher Pike needs a time crystal for Story Reasons™️. He meets with a Klingon monk named Tenavik on Boreth and, while inspecting a crystal destined for him, sees his tragic future. Tenavik says that Pike can get out of it if he leaves the time crystal. Because Pike is a moral pillar/absolute chad of a captain he steels himself and takes it. IMO Pike’s finest moment, and obviously the catalyst for his SNW characterization.