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AmourLeFou You'll never find out who I am Since: Apr, 2021

You'll never find out who I am

Mar 24th 2022 at 7:14:15 PM •••

Could we use a quote that makes it more clear this isn't an exclusively sci-fi trope? I was thinking maybe:

Harry: I spoke another language? (Ron nods) But how could I speak another language without knowing I can?

—Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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zarpaulus Since: Jan, 2001

Mar 26th 2022 at 1:14:48 PM •••

The current quote could be from a fantasy work if you were unfamiliar with Doctor Who. Your suggestion might be overly narrow.

AmourLeFou Since: Apr, 2021

Apr 23rd 2022 at 11:07:28 AM •••

The first time I read this page, I thought it was about translator devices, and that quote certainly didn't help. Only when I read the Titanic: The Legend Goes On example did I realize what this trope really is. What about this? Is this overly narrow?

"You're the one who can hear us, aren't you?"

—An owl, Dr. Dolittle

Had the owl said "You're the one who understands us, aren't you?" it would just be a normal case of Speaks Fluent Animal.

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AmourLeFou Since: Apr, 2021

Apr 27th 2022 at 12:36:00 PM •••

Another possible page quote:

"They try to talk to me all the time. But all they hear is 'pika pika'".

—Detective Pikachu, Detective Pikachu

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Sines Since: Jan, 2001

Jul 31st 2012 at 2:41:19 AM •••

Why is this trope called Translator Microbes, and not Universal Translator? UT is a redirect to the article, which is fine, but Universal Translator is more obvious in its meaning (exactly what it says on the tin) and less likely to fall prey to confusion due to the specificity of 'microbes'.

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AmourLeFou Since: Apr, 2021

Mar 26th 2022 at 12:05:08 PM •••

I agree.

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SeptimusHeap MOD (Edited uphill both ways)

Mar 23rd 2021 at 7:53:56 AM •••

Linking to a past Trope Repair Shop thread that dealt with this page: Rename, started by Speedball on Oct 2nd 2010 at 10:34:05 PM

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman

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Discussion Main / TranslatorMicrobes