Editing Tamarian (section)

==Tamarian language==

The Tamarian language was the spoken language of the Tamarians. Federation [[Universal Translator]]s, although they successfully translate the words, present the syntax as almost nonsensical, because the Tamarians speak entirely by metaphor, referencing mythological and historical people and events from their culture. Thus, instead of asking for cooperation, they would use a phrase such as "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra", because their culture's stories include a tale of two Tamarians, Darmok and Jalad, who fought a common foe together on an island called Tanagra. The problem with communicating in this fashion is that without knowing the meaning of the reference, the metaphor remains utterly obscure. (TNG: "Darmok") 

Some examples of the Tamarian language: 

*"Darmok on the ocean" - loneliness, isolation 
*"Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra" - cooperation 
*"The beast at Tanagra" - an obstacle to be overcome 
*"Kadir beneath Mo Moteh" - failure to communicate/understand 
*"Kiteo, his eyes closed" - refusal to understand 
*"Temba, his arms wide/open" - signifying a gift 
*"Temba, at rest" - when a gift being offered is declined 
*"Mirab, with sails unfurled" - signifying departure/engines to full/fleeing 
*"Shaka, when the walls fell" - failure 
*"Sokath, his eyes uncovered/opened" - understanding/realization 
*"The river Temarc in winter" - be quiet/silence 
*"Zinda, his face black, his eyes red" - anger or conflict, also can indicate pain or discomfort 
*"Rai and Jiri at Lungha. Rai of Luwani, Luwani under two moons. Giri, or Ubaya. Ubaya of crossroads, at Lungha. Lungha, her sky gray" - greeting between two different cultures/races 
*"Uzani, his army with fists open" - to lure the enemy away 
*"Uzani, with fists closed" - to attack 
*"Picard and Dathon at El-Adrel" - to work toward a common goal

These phrases and idioms are often attenuated in conversation - "Shaka, when the walls fell" has been heard shortened to "Shaka"; others follow a similar pattern. 

In one scene where Picard attempts to treat a wounded Dathon, the Tamarian says "Kiazi's children, their faces wet". It is unclear what Dathon means by this, although (since Dathon is trying to shoo Picard away from caring for his injuries at the time) it may allude to children crying for no reason; the Tamarian may be saying that Picard should not worry or feel sad. 

===Background=== 
A language based on metaphors pre-supposes that the stories behind the metaphors are known and understood in the first place, which means they must at some point themselves be told (or possibly communicated in some other way, e.g. through pictures).