How to Talk to an Alien Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Languages in fictional universes can add depth and authenticity to storytelling. These constructed languages ("conlangs") help create a believable and immersive world. They provide cultural and historical context, making the fictional setting feel real and lived in. For example, the Klingon language in "Star Trek" and the Elvish languages in J.R.R. Tolkien's "Middle-earth" add layers of complexity to their respective universes.

Languages reflect the values, beliefs and social structures of the species or cultures that speak them. For example, the logical structure of the Vulcan language in "Star Trek" reflects the Vulcan emphasis on logic and emotional control. Similarly, the warrior-centric terminology of the Klingon language highlights their martial culture.

Conlangs can become iconic elements of the franchise, such as the Klingon language or the Dothraki language in "Game of Thrones". These languages often gain a following of fans who learn and use them. They foster a community of fans who learn and practice them, creating a shared experience and deepening their connection to the fictional world.

Here is a brief overview of the conlangs in this quiz:

Cardassian: Originating from the "Star Trek" franchise, the Cardassian language reflects the hierarchical and militaristic society of the Cardassians. Created by the writers of "Star Trek", it is mainly used in background to emphasise the cultural complexity of the species.

Mala'kak: Featured in the "Alien" franchise, the Mala'kak or Engineer language embodies the mysterious and advanced nature of the Engineers. Created by the writers of "Alien", it contains intricate glyphs and phonetic sounds, adding to the enigmatic atmosphere of the films.

Yautja: From the "Predator" franchise, the Yautja language consists of guttural clicks and growls that reflect the primal and predatory nature of the Predators. Developed by the writers of the series, it also has a written form, as seen in their advanced technology.

Berchestian: Part of the vast "Star Wars" universe, Berchestian is one of the many minor languages created by George Lucas and the writers of the series. While its specific characteristics are not well documented, it adds to the rich cultural diversity of the galaxy.

Bolovaxian: Appearing in DC Comics, particularly in the "Green Lantern" series, the Bolovaxian language is spoken by the Bolovaxians, including Green Lantern Kilowog. The language reflects their robust and community-oriented culture, as created by the comic book writers.

Klingon: Perhaps the most famous constructed language from the "Star Trek" franchise, Klingon was created by linguist Marc Okrand. Known for its harsh, guttural sounds, it reflects the warrior culture of the Klingon species and is a fully developed language with its own grammar and vocabulary.

Sangheili: The "Halo" video game series introduces the Sangheili language, also known as "Elite". Created by the game's writers, it features a complex and honourable structure that reflects the strict code of honour of the Sangheili species, complete with a unique script.

Vulcan: Another creation by Marc Okrand for the "Star Trek" franchise, the Vulcan language is logical and precise, fitting the philosophy of logic and emotional control of the Vulcan species. It includes a detailed written script and is used in various "Star Trek" media.

Aiel: In Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" series, the Aiel language is used by the warrior people of Aiel. The language created by Jordan is rich in metaphors and honourifics, reflecting their complex social structure and cultural traditions.

Chlorisian: Featured in the "Star Wars" universe, Chlorisian is another minor language that adds to the vast cultural landscape of the galaxy. Developed by George Lucas and the writers, it remains largely in the background, contributing to the diversity of the universe.

Dothraki: Created by linguist David J. Peterson for the "Game of Thrones" series, Dothraki is a richly developed language with a robust phonetic and grammatical structure. It reflects the nomadic, warrior culture of the Dothraki people, with unique idioms and expressions.

Elvish: Developed by J.R.R. Tolkien, Elvish includes several dialects, such as Quenya and Sindarin, used in "The Lord of the Rings" and other works. The language has a highly developed grammar and vocabulary, featuring beautiful, flowing phonetics that mirror the elegance and antiquity of the Elven culture. Tolkien's creation includes extensive linguistic histories and scripts, making it one of the most detailed constructed languages.

The six wrong answers, i.e. no conlangs, are as follows:

The Tlingit language, spoken by the Tlingit people of southeastern Alaska and western Canada, is known for its complex phonetic structure and use of sound to convey meaning.

Warumungu is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken by the Warumungu people of the Northern Territory, known for its rich oral tradition and unique consonant-vowel structures.

Aromanian is a Romance language spoken by the Aromanians in the Balkans, particularly in Greece, Albania and North Macedonia, which retains many features of Latin while incorporating influences from surrounding languages.

Sorbian is a Slavic language spoken by the Sorbs of eastern Germany, with two main dialects, Upper and Lower Sorbian, and a strong cultural presence in the Lausitz region.

Tarascan or Purépecha, is an indigenous language of Mexico spoken by the Purépecha people of Michoacán, known for its unique linguistic features that set it apart from other Mesoamerican languages.

Seediq is an Austronesian language spoken by the Seediq people of Taiwan, known for its complex system of verb conjugation and its role in the film "Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale".