Interview, Sacha
> What do you know about the aliens so far?
"That is an extremely broad question. I'll assume you're referring to facts about their language or information obtained through conversation with them, since queries about physical characteristics would be better directed to Dr. Curtis. Firstly let me inform you that my ability to communicate with these creatures at all after being in contact with them for less than 48 hours is nothing short of remarkable. It would in fact appear that their language is somehow partially derived from English. Certainly I have noted many West Germanic grammatical structures as well as more than a few cognates. I surmise that the probe's database introduced the language into their society.
"It is only due to these similarities that I have been able to learn anything at all about the aliens. My knowledge is still extremely limited, but I have determined that the aliens call themselves 'Gevrons'. Whether that is their nationality, species, or something else entirely I have not yet ascertained. Due to Ms. Lazoff's discovery, we are also now aware that the Gevrons have enemies whom they call -" here Sacha lets out an unusual screech, clearly of a different language than what the Gevrons spoke. The transcriber approximates it as 'Xrionan'. "Again what level of category this is is unclear. Finally and most mysteriously the Gevrons seem to think that we, humans, have some involvement in their conflict. Despite considerable effort I have been unable to clarify how we supposedly fit in."
> How do you personally feel about the aliens?
"I had hoped to leave my personal feelings out of this. Anyone who is familiar with my books on xenolinguistics should already be aware of my enthusiasm for extraterrestrial intelligence. My opinion of these particular aliens is irrelevant."
-Interview of Prof. Sacha Pascal conducted by Google Gatherer robot the day after Ender's landing.
"That is an extremely broad question. I'll assume you're referring to facts about their language or information obtained through conversation with them, since queries about physical characteristics would be better directed to Dr. Curtis. Firstly let me inform you that my ability to communicate with these creatures at all after being in contact with them for less than 48 hours is nothing short of remarkable. It would in fact appear that their language is somehow partially derived from English. Certainly I have noted many West Germanic grammatical structures as well as more than a few cognates. I surmise that the probe's database introduced the language into their society.
"It is only due to these similarities that I have been able to learn anything at all about the aliens. My knowledge is still extremely limited, but I have determined that the aliens call themselves 'Gevrons'. Whether that is their nationality, species, or something else entirely I have not yet ascertained. Due to Ms. Lazoff's discovery, we are also now aware that the Gevrons have enemies whom they call -" here Sacha lets out an unusual screech, clearly of a different language than what the Gevrons spoke. The transcriber approximates it as 'Xrionan'. "Again what level of category this is is unclear. Finally and most mysteriously the Gevrons seem to think that we, humans, have some involvement in their conflict. Despite considerable effort I have been unable to clarify how we supposedly fit in."
> How do you personally feel about the aliens?
"I had hoped to leave my personal feelings out of this. Anyone who is familiar with my books on xenolinguistics should already be aware of my enthusiasm for extraterrestrial intelligence. My opinion of these particular aliens is irrelevant."
-Interview of Prof. Sacha Pascal conducted by Google Gatherer robot the day after Ender's landing.
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