Tung Masters Institute: Linguistics in Outer Space

Elizabeth Pyatt

Tung Masters Institute:Linguistics in Outer Space

History of LinguisticsBegan in 19th century

European scholars exposed to new languagesNot all languages like Latin and Greek

Colonial governments interested in communicating with local populationMore or less…

Important for U.S. corporations/D.O.D.

Puzzles GaloreLinguistic skills include

Deciphering writing systemsDescribe proper prounciationWord placement rulesWord formation patterns

And guessing what will happen to European loan words

Which languages are related?

A Little Bit of CultureSociolinguistic Issues

Proper etiquetteIncluding the correct verb form & correct gestures

Interacting with all informantsCan women talk to a male lieutenant?

Determine different social levelsWhat does that mean when working with local

cultures?

Why Games?Can gamification turn a homework

“problem set” “fun puzzle!”Can a game narrative allow students

explore field work skills?Can we attract more majors?

Linguistics in Outer Space!

Your chance to do field work in outer space!

Inspired by Econ 201 in Space

Developed at UNC Greensboro

ScenarioPlanet with less space tech than

“Terran Alliance”Multiple languages/culturesHumanoid, but not Terran

It’s a mysterySome cultures open to contact,

others more hesitant

Tung Masters Institute (TMI)Advanced specialists in linguistic

analysisThey are the gurus of linguistic

documentationAnd they teach Terran Language courses for

profitWorks with Terran AllianceBut ensures equitable treatment for

non-Terran Alliance populations

Terran Alliance MissionPhase 1B Contact

Initial contact already madeNegotiate

Trade contractsPort of callOpen embassy

TMI MissionBegin teaching Terran to one local

groupLearn grammar of other groups

based on fieldworkDetermine linguistic and cultural

relationships

Levels for Student PlayersLevel 0 (Student Initiatiate)

Initial lessons within Tung MastersBasics and fieldwork ethics

Need to solve puzzles to unlock levelsLevel 1 (English instruction)

Mission: Explain English grammarReflect on what we know “intuitively”Contact with sympathetic local students

TMI MentorsExbar (Syntax)

Master of x̄-TheoryFóním (Phonology)

Mistress of phonemesSodah Pahp (Dialectology)Dondestá Lasala (Teaching Terran)

Advancing Through GameLevel 2 (Word Order/Formation)

Analyze local languages furtherUse human languages as example

More contacts in friendly culture

Level 3 (Sound Structure)Determine pronunciation of additional

languagesUse local contacts as translator

Adding More CulturesLevel 4 (Sociolinguistics/Grammar)

Complete analysis of additional languages

Initiate contactRead briefings from first cultureAre they 100% accurate??Can you progress enough to establish liaison?

Final MysteryLevel 5 (Determine Relationships)

Locals give access to oldest sagasFind relationshipsIs there a linguistic connection with

Terrans?Maybe only a TMI expert would know

Potential AdvantagesStudents could relate skills to real

issuesAdd fieldwork component

Without airfare And introduce ethical component

without getting on a soapboxLinguists get chance to make awful

puns

ChallengesDevelop narrativeHow long?

This could span several semestersWhere will graphics/animation come

from?