Difference between revisions of "Alien languages"
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==AL1== | ==AL1== | ||
The first alien language (AL1) | The first alien language (Alien Language 1; AL1) is a simple substitution-cypher. This means that each Latin letter is simply replaced with a new symbol. The script can be translated into English simply by learning each symbol, or by looking it up in a table. | ||
In the episode [[Leela's Homeworld]], the | In the episode "[[Leela's Homeworld]]", the script is referred to as "Alienese". | ||
===Symbols=== | ===Symbols=== | ||
Revision as of 01:02, 3 March 2009
For a bit of fun, the creators of Futurama placed messages throughout the series encoded in some imaginary alien languages. There are at least two languages known to exist in the show, though some believe a 3rd language was introduced in the final season. It is very likely that in the 30th century, English and Latin have become Universally known, as almost all known alien species speak it and planets are named using Latin. The following two alphabets are used only to spell out English phrases.
See Also: List of alien language sightings.
AL1
The first alien language (Alien Language 1; AL1) is a simple substitution-cypher. This means that each Latin letter is simply replaced with a new symbol. The script can be translated into English simply by learning each symbol, or by looking it up in a table.
In the episode "Leela's Homeworld", the script is referred to as "Alienese".
Symbols
AL2
The second alien language was more complicated, and is not for the faint of heart. Each symbol had a numerical value. To decode a message, the first symbol's value is translated directly into a character (0='A', 1='B', and so on). For the remaining letters, you subtract the previous symbol's numerical value. If the result is less than zero, you add 26. Then that number is converted into a character as before.
Not until the release of Bender's Big Score
was the symbol 1 ("B") known.
Note: If you ever see two identical symbols in a row, the second is always an "A".
Symbols
Other Alien Languages
If two Alien Languages aren't enough, the Futurama writers have also done other Alien Languages that seem to be Gibberish, and have not been translated, like Leela's bracelet under her Wristlojackimator, various symbols in My Three Suns and others.
Additional Information
Note
- Many fans think that AL1 is Alienese and AL2 is Betacrypt 3. Although Alienese is used to refer to AL1 in one episode, Betacrypt 3 is never actually linked to either AL1 or AL2. Throughout the audio commentaries, the creators refer to each language as "Alien Language one" and "Alien Language two"—so we use the same standard here.
- In the commentary for "A Bicyclops Built for Two," David X. Cohen makes note of some fans referring to AL2 as Betacrypt 3. It is seen on a door to a chat room.
Links
- Alien Languages of Futurama - A very good AL2 translator.
- Alien Language Translations--A site with excellent alien language translations for each episode and other Futurama related media.