tramitem_net | Video (backdated to the 10th because I'm fail orz)

[Emberto can be seen kicking back on a couch in what's presumably his residence, a cup of tea on an end table beside him.]

You know, now that things have settled down a bit, and it seems that our ability to travel to the other world is here to stay, there's something that I've been wondering about that other world for awhile now. Something that shouldn't be, but that undeniably is.

Namely, the fact every word we've encountered in this other universe, both spoken and written, has been in modern English. In fact, for those of us who were drawn to that temple in the hills, that word puzzle we had to solve wouldn't have worked in any other language. Now I don't know about any of you, darlings, but as someone who's done a bit of traveling the old fashioned way, I can tell you that the odds of an entire other universe just happening to come up with a language that's identical to modern English in every way by pure coincidence are too ridiculous to seriously think about.

So the question is... how exactly did this happen? I'd very much like to know if anyone else who's noticed it has any theories, because I'm afraid this particular mystery has gotten me stumped.

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I believe the late Douglas Adams had a wonderful answer for that.

But now that you mention it, it is rather puzzling, and indeed a bit alarming. Have they had contact before and adopted our language, or did the world adapt to suit our understanding? I wonder if anyone tried to speak another language to them--say, Spanish, or French--would they understand?

And of all languages, why English? It's such a collection of other languages and parts. Why not...Arabic or ancient Chinese? S

Oh? I'm afraid I'm not familiar enough with him to know what that might be, but now you've got me curious.

I can certainly try a bit of Spanish on someone next time I'm there, to see if anything happens. And anyone else who knows more than one langueage and doesn't mind possibly looking a tiny bit silly could do the same.

But yes, that's what makes the fact that it's English that much more perplexing. As they say, English is the the language that mugs other languages in dark alleys and goes through their pockets searching for spare vocabulary. Really, it should be among the least likely languages to be duplicated, and yet...

[He shrugs. And yet... here they are.]

Oh! Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and those related books. I was referencing a babelfish, which is this--honestly, if they were real, they'd be a horrible little thing. It's rather like a slug that one drops into their ear and then they can understand all languages. You know, opposite the whole Tower of Babel mess.

As for languages, I would offer French, but I'm afraid mine is probably rusty.

But, again, on the subject of English: even here, on Earth, where English developed historically, where the British Empire colonized a fourth of the globe, English still did not fully supersede most--

[He pauses and frowns.]

Unless it was colonized at some point prior to us? And the native language supplanted?

Oh! I can't say I've ever read those books, but I have heard of them. And yes, those things do sound rather disgusting, however useful they might be.

And I suppose it's possible that they could have been colonized before, but there'd likely at least be some record of it, if that were the case, or some physical evidence. And I don't think anyone's seen any such thing.

The more I hear about this place the less it makes sense. Not that anything about it made sense to begin with.

Edited 2020-07-26 13:09 (UTC)

[OK, text it is.]

It is a bit unusual, in more ways than one. Exotic, exciting, and wonderful, but it does have its dangers too.

Though I imagine it might be a bit much to catch up on if you're looking at it after the majority of the drama seems to have died down.

That's true, actually.

Did you go there yourself?

A number of times, yes. I could give you a few pointers if you plan to pay a visit yourself.

I don't know if I plan to or not.

What are the pointers?

Well for starters, don't drink the water. It may sound cliche, but they're a bit behind us in terms of purification technology, so it's best to bring a bottle or two from home.

Secondly, they obviously don't take US currency, so be sure and take something to trade or sell to a local merchant to get some local currency. Generally speaking sweets or most printed materials will be perfectly acceptable.

And third, if you decide to take a walk outside the city walls, be certain you're back inside before nightfall. The gates are closed at sundown, and if you're still outside them at the time, you'll find yourself stuck there until morning.

Video (backdated to the 10th because I'm fail orz)

Is also fail, so I feel you

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Sorry for the late tag. orz