Baseline tools: The Babel fish
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Baseline tools: The Babel fish |
The babel fish is a genetically engineered computer with audio, limited visual, and UMB radio inputs designed to look like the cute little fish of Adams yore (Adams is a mythical fabulist of Old Earth). Unlike Adams fish however, the BABELFISH TM, is powered by an internal mitochondrial battery (fed fish food)and communicates to the "wearer" by sound. A babel fish can be configured for tour guide protocols, but it is a specific example. Although its origin is unknown it seems to have been designed by a competent engineer, possibly a playful transapient, but more likely a superbright, with a "galaxy guide" theme. The babelfishes themselves will reproduce, but only in an artificial "fishbowl" environment. Babels cannot survive in the wild, but can breath gaseous air. When at home it its bowl, the babel is "happy" and will play like a cartoon fish. However when the user wants to use it, the babel will swim into the hand (or whatever appendage is used). Babels tend to recognize their owners, and can be taught to avoid others (albeit rather clumsily). Babel can be trained like a small animal, but can also be hacked through the uwb transceiver.
An advanced linguistic translator is built into the babel fishes neurons. Although most sentients in the Civilized Galaxy speak in universal protocols such as Metasoft. There are still many, such as hiders, and in the outer periphery which do not.
Many languages in the Civilized Galaxy are based on or are revisions of earlier Terragen biont and ai languages. The babel fish has these stored in memory. If it encounters a variant, it will attempt to learn the syntax. The babel fish is given feedback from its wearer in the form of speech. Phrases such as "could you repeat that?" and "huh?" are used. Each babel also contains a simple ultrawide band transmitter, from which they communicate with other babels through. The conversation itself is not sent, but rather the language syntax to allow the babels to sync up. If the babel is having difficulty learning the language, it may prompt the wearer to give it, or another babelfish, to a native speaker for a while
Babelfish are generally used for only sound-sound communication, though they have been "hacked" for simple UWB conversations as well. Neurolinguistically hacked babels tend to be lacking in other traits.
Some babel hacks:
There are many similar translation/helper devices
in other forms as well. These include a small mammal or bird
(real, extinct, mythical or neogenic) that rides in the hair or on the
shoulder, a piece of jewelry, or even something that looks a flower
wreath wrapped around the ear and hair, or a little
floating vacuum dirigible bot or a blob of colored nanogoo.
Designs differ according to region, manufacturer and with personal
taste. Implants might be more efficient, and are used in places, but an
autonomous unit is easier to change, and is usually more fashionable in
any case.
Related Pages:
Baseline Tools - an OA shopping list.
