Linguistics

[Wily Duck]

Today I share a concept that a bit on The Far Side of the norm. Let's talk about parakeets. I like my 'skeets. We've learned a bit from the other.

No idea if anyone else has already "discovered" this: parakeets have a spoken language. There are definitive linguistics in their chirps, squawks, clicks, tones, and of course body language. I can honestly with proof say that I've decoded a minimum of 3 identifiable words. I'd guess there's another ~10 that I'm secure with, and several more that seem to make sense.

My study reveals something else interesting... Not only can I replicate a number of their calls, I can somewhat turn their speak into written language... it's certainly laughable at first. Radically different ideas usually are. This is my first attempt at bringing this from my head to the keyboard, so don't think I'm writing a dictionary or anything close!

! ** % % % "hey human-person need!" - usually fresh food or water is being requested. Once in a while there's a facilities problem, like a string broke and a toy is hanging. Not sure if I'm supposed to be a 911 operator, technical support, or nurse at this point. Sound an alarm! Wait no, cause then they'd complain with:

* ! "trouble help!" - "oh crap the bad thing!" you get the idea, they are now in peril and only freaking out can save them. If in fact they are successful, then:

* \- "trouble! be cautious-at-ease" - keep an eye out cause trouble is amidst. "It's not likely I'm going to be eaten now." Ok I made that up - but being a small creature, I wouldn't discount the idea.

-\ _ "chillin nice" - "doing alright". Good times.

- - ! "let's play!" - get your beak out of your ass or I'm going to land on your shoulder stumps and scream a lot to show everyone how stupid you look! let's do a lap! wheeeeee!!

% % -/ "need attention!" or "come here!" - something of interest going on. Might want to see this one for yourself.

** / "human-person present" (good nature) - I spotted the human-person. Do I get a t-shirt?

/-\ "make do" - "I'm looking squarely at the thing. Make it go. It's obvious" sassy little sideways eyeballing peckerhead, do it yourself! Fine ok I'll move those toys for you, even thoug- "* * !" uh huh yep knew that was coming... -/ ! (them)oooohh I didn't knoooow those toys were so scary but surely you're big and brave mr. hue man go find out if they eat your hand and let me know ok holy crap now they're in your hand you are so eaten human-person % % !/

! -/ "everyone act busy!" - there's a disturbance and we should probably hang out together for a while. It's tough being a little feather puff in a World 4 world.

Poor little terd poppins. Well there's always TREAT to look forward to! Mmmm treat! /! -!\ "yea gimme some of that!"