nitrodamus: (Default)
So, in the Capital H AU, there is indeed a troll to human language barrier, and as such, a distinctive Alternian language. It is actually quite dissimilar from any spoken human language, and uses a lot of sound making features that humans do not possess - namely a lot of weird insect-like chirruping and clicking, with the occasional mixture of something resembling animal growling.

For funzies, I've compiled some examples of bug sounds that one could frequently find in the Troll vocabulary. Even while speaking English, the Alternian accept tends to involve the subtle addition of these sounds to human words.

Fair warning, most of these are videos of real insects, so if you hate bugs don't look.

CICADA GROWL
Imagine this but with an undertone of a predator's growl. This is a sound a troll might make while agitated, and will tend to flavour their words.

CRICKET CHIRPING
More of a neutral toned chirp, this is probably the sort of sound that appears a lot in the actual language, though trolls can affect it with different tones and pitches by speaking.

SOFT CRICKET CHIRP
A gentler sort of chirp that would have more positive/friendly verbal connotations. A longer, trilling of this is what would be considered a troll purr.
nitrodamus: (Default)
It's probably not exactly comforting, being in this environment. The CONDOR agents accompanying Karkat are quiet as they lead him down the hall.

Karkat hadn't really been given a choice, per say, over whether or not he was going to help with this. The situation played out much more along the lines of "we need you to translate for this prisoner of war, we'll pick you up in an hour" than any sort of polite request. The only explanation had been that another Alternian had been picked up by CONDOR operatives, and they didn't speak enough english for them to know what to do with him.

It's been quite a while since the last assault from Alternia. The suspicion is palpable.