Cybertronian language: Difference between revisions
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It should be little surprise, given a moment's thought, that distinct '''Cybertronian languages''' exist. The [[ | It should be little surprise, given a moment's thought, that distinct '''Cybertronian languages''' exist. The [[Transformer]]s did not go about speaking English or any other known [[Earth]] language long ages ago on their [[Cybertron (planet)|distant metal world]]. Though the records of such conversations are frequently translated for us, we should not forget that these conversations originally flowed in odd electronic syllables past strange metallic lips, or were etched by alien hands long eons before the first humans painted muddy shapes upon dark cave stone. | ||
==Fiction== | ==Fiction== | ||
===Marvel Generation 1 comics=== | ===Marvel Generation 1 comics=== | ||
[[Image:Marvel Issue 23 Page 09 Graffiti.jpg|right|100px|thumb| | [[Image:Marvel Issue 23 Page 09 Graffiti.jpg|right|100px|thumb|"I logged on to your mom."]] | ||
[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] made the statement that his real name was unpronounceable in English. {{storylink | [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] made the statement that his real name was unpronounceable in English. {{storylink|Man of Iron!}} | ||
[[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout]] sprayed Cybertronian graffiti across Earth monuments. They were taken aback to realize that the earthlings couldn't comprehend their alien language wit. {{storylink | [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout]] sprayed Cybertronian graffiti across Earth monuments. They were taken aback to realize that the earthlings couldn't comprehend their alien language wit. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}} | ||
{{-}} | {{-}} | ||
===Generation 1 cartoon=== | ===Generation 1 cartoon=== | ||
[[Image:Quintesson Writing.jpg|left|160px|thumb|So it | [[Image:Quintesson Writing.jpg|left|160px|thumb|So it's true. The Pyramids were built by aliens.]] | ||
The first language used by the Transformers was likely the '''Quintesson language''' inherited from their former masters. It can be seen upon the walls of the [[Quintesson]] dimensional transporter room. It rather resembles Egyptian hieroglyphs. {{storylink | The first language used by the Transformers was likely the '''Quintesson language''' inherited from their former masters. It can be seen upon the walls of the [[Quintesson]] dimensional transporter room. It rather resembles Egyptian hieroglyphs. {{storylink|Madman's Paradise}} | ||
[[Image:AncientAuto.gif|right|200px|thumb|Ancient Autobot, on the other hand, eschewed pictures of birdies]] | [[Image:AncientAuto.gif|right|200px|thumb|Ancient Autobot, on the other hand, eschewed pictures of birdies.]] | ||
'''Ancient Autobot''' was the language used by the ancient Autobot colonists that fled Cybertron in the distant past. Most modern Transformers (or at least the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]) could not read it. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} | '''Ancient Autobot''' was the language used by the ancient Autobot colonists that fled Cybertron in the distant past. Most modern Transformers (or at least the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]) could not read it. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} | ||
The controls of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] were labeled in '''Ancient Cybertronian''', which [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] did not recognize but [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] was able to read. {{storylink | The controls of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] were labeled in '''Ancient Cybertronian''', which [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] did not recognize but [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] was able to read. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}} | ||
In contrast, the language used by the [[Autobot|Autobots]] when they first awoke in 1984 was easily learned. Spike Witwicky learned to read '''Modern Autobot''' after only knowing the Transformers for a single day. (Autobots and humans could also converse freely on their first encounter, though the hows and whys aren't addressed onscreen.) {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2|More Than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} | In contrast, the language used by the [[Autobot|Autobots]] when they first awoke in 1984 was easily learned. Spike Witwicky learned to read '''Modern Autobot''' after only knowing the Transformers for a single day. (Autobots and humans could also converse freely on their first encounter, though the hows and whys aren't addressed onscreen.) {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2|More Than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} | ||
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{{cleanup|June 2009|Since Revenge of the Fallen expands upon this section, it will probably need to be rewritten.}} | {{cleanup|June 2009|Since Revenge of the Fallen expands upon this section, it will probably need to be rewritten.}} | ||
[[Image:Cybertronian symbols.JPG|right|300px|thumb|Even with subtitles, it | [[Image:Cybertronian symbols.JPG|right|300px|thumb|Even with subtitles, it's still hard to understand what he's saying.]] | ||
Rather unique to this universe, several Transformers (notably [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]) have [[Cyberglyphics]] etched onto their heads, near the cheek area. What they say is anyone's guess. The [[All Spark]] was covered in Cyberglyphics, leading [[Sector Seven]] to conclude a connection between the All Spark and Megatron. Additionally, [[Transition form|cometary forms]] are covered in Cybertronian "tribal markings".<ref>[[Ben Procter]]'s [http://www.benprocter.com/SITEv2/HTML/PROJPAGE_Trans_12.html online portfolio]</ref> | Rather unique to this universe, several Transformers (notably [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]) have [[Cyberglyphics]] etched onto their heads, near the cheek area. What they say is anyone's guess. The [[All Spark]] was covered in Cyberglyphics, leading [[Sector Seven]] to conclude a connection between the All Spark and Megatron. Additionally, [[Transition form|cometary forms]] are covered in Cybertronian "tribal markings".<ref>[[Ben Procter]]'s [http://www.benprocter.com/SITEv2/HTML/PROJPAGE_Trans_12.html online portfolio]</ref> | ||
The Decepticons communicate in Cybertronian (which to human ears | The Decepticons communicate in Cybertronian (which to human ears sounds like a collection of vowel-intensive electronic noises and rumbles... with the notable exception of [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], who has a very staccato manner of speaking) when speaking among themselves on Earth, but have learned enough English to communicate with the humans when necessary. The crew members of the vessel ''[[Ghost 1]]'' thought that one could make out words if they had a degree in theoretical physics...and were tripping on bad acid. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}} | ||
Cybertronian languages appear to contain a lot of information in small fragments. | Cybertronian languages appear to contain a lot of information in small fragments. | ||
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[[Image:Agoraptor post.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Agoraptor post]] | [[Image:Agoraptor post.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Agoraptor post]] | ||
There are also two versions of Cybertronian used in the [[AllSpark Wars]] Mini-ARG (Alternate Reality Game.) These are recycled versions of Ancient Autobot from "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]" and Decepticon from "[[Decepticon Graffiti!]]". They [[Retcon| | There are also two versions of Cybertronian used in the [[AllSpark Wars]] Mini-ARG (Alternate Reality Game.) These are recycled versions of Ancient Autobot from "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]" and Decepticon from "[[Decepticon Graffiti!]]". They [[Retcon|retconned]] a canonical order to both languages, based on fonts created by [[Jim Sorenson]] in the late '90s. The Autobot [[Agoracer]] [http://ds.transformersgame.com/account/3826/posts?page=3 posted] in Ancient Autobot, while the Decepticon [[Agoraptor]] [http://ds.transformersgame.com/account/3423/posts?page=3 posted] in Decepticon. Both are available for download [http://www.tfrid.com/Fonts.html here] under the names "Ancient Autobot" and "Decepticon Regular." | ||
[[Burger King]]'s [[Transform Your Way]] promotion also used the "Ancient Autobot" font as part of their online marketing campaign. | [[Burger King]]'s [[Transform Your Way]] promotion also used the "Ancient Autobot" font as part of their online marketing campaign. | ||
Revision as of 20:17, 3 August 2009
It should be little surprise, given a moment's thought, that distinct Cybertronian languages exist. The Transformers did not go about speaking English or any other known Earth language long ages ago on their distant metal world. Though the records of such conversations are frequently translated for us, we should not forget that these conversations originally flowed in odd electronic syllables past strange metallic lips, or were etched by alien hands long eons before the first humans painted muddy shapes upon dark cave stone.
Fiction
Marvel Generation 1 comics
Jazz made the statement that his real name was unpronounceable in English. Man of Iron!
Runamuck and Runabout sprayed Cybertronian graffiti across Earth monuments. They were taken aback to realize that the earthlings couldn't comprehend their alien language wit. Decepticon Graffiti!
Generation 1 cartoon
The first language used by the Transformers was likely the Quintesson language inherited from their former masters. It can be seen upon the walls of the Quintesson dimensional transporter room. It rather resembles Egyptian hieroglyphs. Madman's Paradise
Ancient Autobot was the language used by the ancient Autobot colonists that fled Cybertron in the distant past. Most modern Transformers (or at least the Decepticons) could not read it. Cosmic Rust
The controls of the Plasma Energy Chamber were labeled in Ancient Cybertronian, which Spike Witwicky did not recognize but Cerebros was able to read. The Rebirth, Part 1
In contrast, the language used by the Autobots when they first awoke in 1984 was easily learned. Spike Witwicky learned to read Modern Autobot after only knowing the Transformers for a single day. (Autobots and humans could also converse freely on their first encounter, though the hows and whys aren't addressed onscreen.) More Than Meets the Eye, Part 2
Beast Era
See also Vok symbols.
Robots in Disguise cartoon
Unicron Trilogy
In the Cybertron episode "Ship", writing is displayed on a viewscreen of the starship Atlantis.
Live-action Transformers movies
Rather unique to this universe, several Transformers (notably Optimus Prime and Megatron) have Cyberglyphics etched onto their heads, near the cheek area. What they say is anyone's guess. The All Spark was covered in Cyberglyphics, leading Sector Seven to conclude a connection between the All Spark and Megatron. Additionally, cometary forms are covered in Cybertronian "tribal markings".[1]
The Decepticons communicate in Cybertronian (which to human ears sounds like a collection of vowel-intensive electronic noises and rumbles... with the notable exception of Frenzy, who has a very staccato manner of speaking) when speaking among themselves on Earth, but have learned enough English to communicate with the humans when necessary. The crew members of the vessel Ghost 1 thought that one could make out words if they had a degree in theoretical physics...and were tripping on bad acid. Ghosts of Yesterday
Cybertronian languages appear to contain a lot of information in small fragments.
This is the first time that Transformers are seen speaking their own language.
The Battle for the Allspark v2 online game included a countdown in this language, revealing that it uses base-10 positional notation numbering system. This is notable because previous examples of Cybertronian language have used a system similar to Roman numerals.
There are also two versions of Cybertronian used in the AllSpark Wars Mini-ARG (Alternate Reality Game.) These are recycled versions of Ancient Autobot from "Cosmic Rust" and Decepticon from "Decepticon Graffiti!". They retconned a canonical order to both languages, based on fonts created by Jim Sorenson in the late '90s. The Autobot Agoracer posted in Ancient Autobot, while the Decepticon Agoraptor posted in Decepticon. Both are available for download here under the names "Ancient Autobot" and "Decepticon Regular."
Burger King's Transform Your Way promotion also used the "Ancient Autobot" font as part of their online marketing campaign.
Universe 2008 "Classic Series"
The packaging art for many of the "Classic Series" toys in the 2008 Universe line features movie-like "tribal markings" on the characters, going along with the more movie-like renditions of the characters.
More directly, the Legends-class Cosmos toy has his name written on his vehicle mode in Cybertronian lettering.
