History Main / TalkingThroughTechnique

* Invoked in ''{Naruto}'' when Sasuke fights the title character. Sasuke says that [[MyKungFuIsStrongerThanYours two powerful ninja]] are able to understand each other's thoughts just by fighting.

Naturally, if the signal is misinterpreted due to a completely irrelevant misunderstanding of [[ConvictionByContradiction chess rules or somesuch]], this may result in the whole "conversation" being EncyclopediaBrowned. An especially devious communicator may [[OutGambitted anticipate this]] and deliberately send out a clue indicating [[XanatosGambit that he is not at liberty to communicate freely]].

Observers and spies will be very, ''very'' confused by this. They'll assume their CrypticConversation is deeply layered SpySpeak, when both are ''actually'' talking with chess pieces, fists, or interpretive dance. On that note, this kind of communication can be both [[TechnicianVersusPerformer highly interpretive, analytical,]] or both! Often, the best way to make these communiqués secure is to require a final bit interpretive of inductive reasoning to avoid decoding by third parties. This communication likely isn't perfect, but it's a lot more secure, and if paired with a normal conversation can add [[TroubleEntendre enough subtext]] that it becomes SpySpeak.

* ''TouhouProject'' official side-story ''Silent Sinner In Blue'' dissapointed many fans as a ThirtyXanatosPileup and ShaggyDogStory thanks to an absolutely excessive amount of this going on between Yukari, Yuyuko, Patchouli and Remilia (in a rare bout of CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass), Eirin, and possibly a couple other characters playing a crazy game of XanatosSpeedChess that went completely over the heads of the main characters and most of the audience that just gave up on trying to read all the subtext.

Two characters need to communicate, but can't. They might know they're BeingWatched and don't want to give away vital information, or can't transmit or receive messages by normal means[[hottip:* :(They've been blinded, deafened or can't talk, or their method of communication is limited to something like a game of internet blackjack without chat)]]. However, both share a common talent at some game, combat style, art form or other skill. They're experienced enough thanks to practice and knowledge of it that they can [[AwesomenessByAnalysis analyze the moves]] to tell what their friend on the other end is thinking. So what they end up doing is [[TitleDrop Talk Through Technique]], passing information not through words but through actions, and [[MetaGame interpreting them.]]

* The Drow hand code in R.A. Salvatore's ForgottenRealms novels (the ones with Drizzt Do'Urden). Drow elves are all taught a language composed entirely of hand signals. Any two Drow can communicate in this way in complete silence as long as they can see one another.
** Even better, in pre-4th edition incarnations, Drow had infrared vision, meaning that they could see heat. This was taken advantage of in their hand code, as slight traces of heat would be left behind with each movement and could form different meanings based on intensity and hue. This allowed the hand code to be incredibly nuanced compared to normal sign language. Non-Drow like Catti-Brie who have learned the code but cannot see in infravision can send messages with passable skill but can only get "the gist" of any messages they try to receive, as much of the nuance is lost in translation.

* In the short story ''Down on the Farm'' of CharlesStross' ''{{the Laundry Series}}'', the titular "funny farm" is an asylum for genius-level civil servants working in the [[{{MIB}} Laundry]]. Since their service deals with EldritchAbominations on a regular basis, an insane necromantic scientist is [[{{Understatement}} a]] [[OhCrap bit]] [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt of]] [[ApocalypseHow a]] [[ZombieApocalypse security]] [[GrandTheftMe risk]]; hence the building is sealed off tight from the outside world and insulated in every form imaginable. Communications with the outside world tend to be on the imaginative side. [[spoiler:Because of the insulation, the Farm is also a good place for secret research -- since banging away on computers is a bit on the obvious side and a big security risk, the scientists "program" with a chessboard, chess pieces, and a language made of chess moves. Hidden, but very clever.]]

* In ''AvatarTheLastAirbender'', games of ''pai sho'' are used to identify fellow members of the Order of the White Lotus.

* In ''{{Dune}}'' Paul is accustomed to attacking slowly while sword-fighting in order to circumvent the deflector shields that are common in the empire, which have a stopping power proportional to the inertia of the object impacting them (The faster an object is moving the harder it is to penetrate the shield). However, when he finds himself in shield-less combat his attacks are sluggish and too slow to draw blood; this is unintentional, but because his defenses and reactions are so quick in comparison the viewing Fremen believe that he is simply toying with his opponent, and comment with disgust. Also an example of Damn You Muscle Memory.

* The Drasnian secret language, of the ''{{Belgariad}}'', by DavidEddings. All Drasnians involved in the intelligence community (which apparently means "all of them") are taught a language similar to the Drow version above. On more than one occasion, two such speakers converse verbally about something unimportant while having a completely separate discussion with their hands. The language is specific enough that a speaker can gesture with a recognizably outlandish "accent".

* In ''{{Dune}}'' Paul is accustomed to attacking slowly while sword-fighting in order to circumvent the deflector shields that are common in the empire, which have a stopping power proportional to the inertia of the object impacting them (The faster an object is moving the harder it is to penetrate the shield). However, when he finds himself in shield-less combat his attacks are sluggish and too slow to draw blood; this is unintentional, but because his defenses and reactions are so quick in comparison the viewing Fremen believe that he is simply toying with his opponent, and comment with disgust. Also an exemple of Damn You Muscle Memory.

* In ''{{Dune}}'' multiple characters use hand signals to give orders to their subordinates.

Naturally, if the signal is misinterpreted due to a completely irrelevant misunderstanding of [[ConvictionByContradiction chess rules or somesuch]], this may result in the whole conversation being EncyclopediaBrowned. An especially devious communicator may [[OutGambitted anticipate this]] and deliberately send out a clue indicating [[XanatosGambit that he is not at liberty to communicate freely]].

Observers and spies will be very, ''very'' confused by this. They'll assume their CrypticConversation is deeply layered SpySpeak, when both are ''actually'' talking with chess pieces, fists, or interpretive dance. On that note, this kind of communication can be both [[TechnicianVersusPerformer highly interpretive, analytical,]] or both! Often, the best way to make these communiqués secure is to require a final bit interpretive of inductive reasoning to avoid decoding by third parties. This communication likely isn't perfect, but it's a lot more secure, and if paired with a normal conversation can add enough subtext that it becomes SpySpeak. Compare TroubleEntendre.

Observers and spies will be very, ''very'' confused by this. They'll assume their CrypticConversation is deeply layered SpySpeak, when both are ''actually'' talking with chess pieces, fists, or interpretive dance. On that note, this kind of communication can be both [[TechnicianVersusPerformer highly interpretive, analytical,]] or both! Often, the best way to make these communiqués secure is to require a final bit interpretive of inductive reasoning to avoid decoding by third parties. This communication likely isn't perfect, but it's a lot more secure, and if paired with a normal conversation can add enough subtext that it becomes SpySpeak.

* ''TouhouProject'' official side-story ''Silent Sinner In Blue'' dissapointed many fans as a ThirtyXanatosPileup and ShaggyDogStory thanks to an absolutely excessive amount of this going on between Yukari, Yuyuko, Patchouli and Remilia (in a rare bout of CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass), Eirin, and possibly a couple other characters playing a crazy game of SpeedChess that went completely over the heads of the main characters and most of the audience that just gave up on trying to read all the subtext.

Two characters need to communicate, but can't. They might know they're BeingWatched and don't want to give away vital information, or can't transmit or receive messages by normal means[[hottip:* :(They've been blinded, deafened or can't talk, or their method of communication is limited to something like a game of internet blackjack without chat)]]. However, both share a common talent at some game, combat style, art form or other skill. They're experience enough thanks to practice and knowledge of it that they can [[AwesomenessByAnalysis analyze the moves]] to tell what their friend on the other end is thinking. So what they end up doing is [[TitleDrop Talk Through Technique]], passing information not through words but through actions, and [[MetaGame interpreting them.]]

"We're leaving? We didn't get the answer."
"It was in his music."