Mr. Tact wrote on Mar 9, 2021, 07:49:

Kxmode wrote on Mar 9, 2021, 02:17:
And the episode, Darmok explains how nomenclature can render the UT useless. "The situation is analogous to understanding the grammar of a language, but none of the vocabulary," as Data puts it. Technically speaking, if the UT followed the rules, its use would be quite limited.

The Darmok episode is a fan and critic favorite. I like it too, but it does have serious problems.

The concept of a language which uses metaphors as the major component is intriguing to say the least. I could see it being purposely developed as a formal or perhaps royal dialect. A way of speaking for special occasions. But the idea a race which builds and uses interstellar spaceships, which have communications, weapons, shields, matter transport, seemingly all the technology the Federation has and using such a language as their only communication is inconceivable. You can't discuss and design technology like that via metaphors. You can't measure wave frequency, mass, density, power fluctuations, etc., using metaphors. You can't research chemical interactions, physics, and other very technical subjects using metaphors. If nothing else they would have to have a "technology language" for these things. And they would realize the need to have a language of this nature to communicate with any species which did not share the cultural basis for their formal dialect.

It is a fun episode, but ultimately quite nonsensical.