How (not to) write technobabble. (cross-posted from my author blog)

[mary_j_59]

Ah, technobabble! You’re happily watching some science fiction show or movie, and some character comes out with a string of incomprehensible syllables. For example

Comments

[nx74defiant]

I am a passionate Niner, love the original Trek, like Next Generation, and also like the first three Star Wars movies

It also takes the right actor to sell the technobable. You have to believe they know and understand what they are saying.

We have all the Stargate SG1 episodes. On one of the commentary tracks I remember them talking about how Amanda Tapping is really good at it. They would appreciate how good she was at when they would get guest actors in for an episode who would really struggle with the technobable. Otherwise very good actors would really struggle with it.They could learn the lines, but they wouldn't be able to sell that they believed and understood it. It would be as you said some character comes out with a string of incomprehensible syllables

[mary_j_59]

Well, that's true, too! Not familiar with Stargate, but I think we've all seen and heard actors looking and sounding awkward when they have to mouth this stuff.

[nx74defiant]

I am a passionate Niner, love the original Trek, like Next Generation, and also like the first three Star Wars movies

It also takes the right actor to sell the technobable. You have to believe they know and understand what they are saying.

We have all the Stargate SG1 episodes. On one of the commentary tracks I remember them talking about how Amanda Tapping is really good at it. They would appreciate how good she was at when they would get guest actors in for an episode who would really struggle with the technobable. Otherwise very good actors would really struggle with it.They could learn the lines, but they wouldn't be able to sell that they believed and understood it. It would be as you said some character comes out with a string of incomprehensible syllables

[nx74defiant]

I loved the movie and the 1st 2 series - Stargate SGI & Stagate Atlantis.

Skip the 3rd - Stargate Universe.