Andalite language?

[fmaker22]

First of all, hi everyone, im new here!
In my country, Animorphs was only released by books 1-18, now the time passed and I know english by now (good enough to read animorphs books anyway  ), so far I think it is an awesome book series!

And... i have a question:
How is it that andelites knows English?
I can understand why yeerks knows english, because they control human brains,
and the Hork-Bajirs dont seem to control it very well
The Elimist are allmighty, so it make sense,
and taxxons kinda dont speak,
that leaves only the question about the andelites control in english language,
How is that?
---
btw, sorry if i have errors in grammer and stuff, not my mother language 

[11:11]

I think they have some sort of chip in their head that recognizes and translates other languages.

[.: Asmo]

All military personnel have translator chips installed by their brain.

Never mentioned anything about the Andalite civilians having translator chips.

Makes one wonder if they morph something the size of a flea ... what happens to implants such as that? Or it's probably an organically based chip so it may get flung into Z-Space. Mm.

[fmaker22]

Translator cheeps... hmmm... 
Thank u!

[.: Asmo]

You are welcome.

[wildweathel]

I know english by now (good enough to read animorphs books anyway  ), so far I think it is an awesome book series!

I'm glad you're enjoying it.  I think one of the best experiences in a foreign language is reading and hearing stories.

How is it that andelites knows English?

As far as I know, Applegate and Grant only speak English and so can't imagine what it's like for people to deal with multiple languages.  This is very common for American writers because we Americans often only speak English.

I think this is a kind of "translation convention:" the author knows that other languages exist, but she doesn't understand what that feels like.  When I was young, I didn't notice that, but as I've become able to think in other languages, this seems extremely strange.

For example, I said "deal with language" two paragraphs below.  In English, you "deal with" a problem.  But, I was actually thinking a Japanese word, "atsukatteru," which means "to use like a familiar tool."  I've been learning English my entire life, and I couldn't think of a better word to express that idea.

I think this is the downside of learning other languages: you can enjoy many more stories.  You can think in ways you couldn't think before.  But, you lose the illusion that translation is expressing the same thoughts in another language.

And it seems really weird when an author makes that assumption.

[paul1991]

In TAC, Elfangor talks about the translator chip having to hear some of the language before it could decode it.
Another book mentions that Thought Speak works on a "Lower level than spoken language", which is why everybody can understand it.

You're from Isreal? Do you know Hebrew, by any chance?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hebrew-ANIMORPHS-2-Visitor-Applegate-book-/360266050131?pt=US_Childrens_Books&hash=item53e187aa53

[Nero's Fury]

I thought it was always the fact that it is Thought Speech. For example, just because you know english does it mean you think in english? I speak a little spanish and CAN think in it but i dont have to to speak it...thats not makin sense. Sigh. Its like well they are thoughts being signalled to others, and the others recieve them as their own language because their brain doesnt register the other language.....

this sounded smarter before i tried typing it

[Blaise Zebrataur]

Well I guess to Andalites they just have English as their own "language" as it is all thoughts in their heads.

[Slushie Man]

I'm with Thor. I always just assumed it was in the thought-speech and whatever language you speak, is what thought-speech sounded like to you.

[Blazing Angel]

I assume its kind of a universal thought thing that automatically translates when you "hear" it.

[Aquilai]

I can't remember if a translator chip is mentioned but since other people have mentioned it I'll leave it at that!

About the thought speech working automagically to convert your intentions I would imagine this doesn't always work because the way communication normally works is:

• A sends/broadcasts a "coded" signal (language)
• B receives "coded" signal and decodes it

A assumes B can decode the signal to what A intends.

How thought speech or telepathy COULD work:

• A decodes how B's communication part of the brain compares to A's intended message (either in realtime or from past experience)
• A "touches/lights up" the parts of the brain that would let B understand A's intention

The normal method of communication is the easiest way to communicate but can be interpreted/decoded incorrectly.
The theoretical telepathy/thought speech method is only possible if A has a full understanding of B's communication.

In any case a form of decryption is necessary for communication whether B learns the code or A learns B's method of understanding. This is what makes the theoretical telepathy or thought speech so fascinating or seemingly impossible. In a sense this telepathy or understanding of how a person thinks is what a Yeerk must feel when it takes over a host. If a Yeerk can unravel the mind (how it thinks/"talks") of it's host in mere minutes even hours they must have the greatest rate of learning than any other known species.