How did Ax learn English?

[CounterInstinct]

No translator devices were used right? And Ax depended solely on thought speech to communicate with Earthanoids.... how did he learn to speak english when he morphed human?

[ThermalRider]

You know, I was just thinking this and came on to make a topic about it.

I'm not sure. Technically he shouldn't be able to speak English, or any language for that matter.

[esplin]

well he did have the translator chip like all andalites.  he always messed around with sounds remember?  I mean he did speak pretty perfect english besides that.

[ThermalRider]

I thought that the translator chip only worked one way though. Like a human would speak and it would turn it into words that Andalites understood. It wouldn't have to work the other way since thought speak doesn't use words but just kind of puts the right pictures or thoughts into your head.

[Phoenix004]

I thought that the translator chip only worked one way though. Like a human would speak and it would turn it into words that Andalites understood. It wouldn't have to work the other way since thought speak doesn't use words but just kind of puts the right pictures or thoughts into your head.

Couldn't have put it better myself. All members of the Andalite military have a translator chip implanted in them, which translates unfamiliar languages for them to understand. Thought speech works on a level beyond words, so any sentient species can understand thought speech.

[Terenia]

Maybe Ax is just a really fast learner...


Theoretically even when he's in human morph the translator chip should still function (or should it?) to translate what the other humans say. Perhaps he just was using that to help him learn the language itself.

And he's a really fast learner...

...
...

[RYTX]

You know I figure the translator helps in some way
I mean think about it
Aldrea morphed Hork-Bajir and could speak fine right away
Same with Alloran in TAC
I doubt Visser Three watched Muzzy when he first tried a human morph

Granted I haven't the slightest idea how it might work, but I figure it must do somethin

[zaprowsdower]

Something that's really bothered me-
If thought-speak works on a level 'deeper than mere words' where do the Andalite language and Andalite words come from ????

[ThermalRider]

A written language and a "spoken" language have different purposes. A written language could be used for logs or manuscripts.

[morfowt]

I thought that the translator chip only worked one way though. Like a human would speak and it would turn it into words that Andalites understood. It wouldn't have to work the other way since thought speak doesn't use words but just kind of puts the right pictures or thoughts into your head.

Couldn't have put it better myself. All members of the Andalite military have a translator chip implanted in them, which translates unfamiliar languages for them to understand. Thought speech works on a level beyond words, so any sentient species can understand thought speech.

wasn't that mentioned in TAC when elfangor and arbon were talking to loren on the skrit na ship...

[zaprowsdower]

So thermalrider, you're saying that Andalite is the galaxy's answer to Esperanto ? Cool.

[~]

Theoretically the chip could be an extension of the language centers of the brain, adding any language directly to his mind.

Just a thought.

[Zues770]

I would say that it comes as natural for the morph but speech doesn't come natural to us since we have to learn how to speak so I would just consider it freedom on the authors part.

[CounterInstinct]

Well, Elfangor used a translator chip on Loren back there...
Aldrea also used on one on Dak Hamee...

Maybe the human languages were already "learned" by Andalites at school...? Since Ax once said that they studied humans as part of their education in their school.

[estrid]

well, u know elfangor knew english, cuz he lived amongst them and all, maybe he taught ax english? that was never mentioned, yes i know. but it is a cool thought, and it would make some sense