For a better understanding of this article, it is suggested that one read, or even, re- read, our previous article in SCIENCE in FOCUS, Extraterrestrial In Our Neighborhood!

In this past article, we discussed the possibility of Type III Civilizations as defined by Russian Astronomer, Nikolai Kardashev, living on planets in 17 star systems within a 10 light year radius of Earth, and that these star systems were similar to our Sun and Solar System except for the fact that they are 1,000,000 years older than our sun!

Therefore, based on constants in the Drake Equation, it would be quite possible for such civilizations to exist, especially when we consider how far we have advanced in the past 100 years. Reviewing our own advancements, it would be no stretch of the imagination to suppose that any planets existing within the 'habitable zones' of these stars, could have civilizations which would have advanced that far!

However, it would be extremely optimistic to suppose that all of these planets would be populated by such advanced civilizations. If we apply some of the more realistic constants from the Drake Equation, we would get the following results, more or less:

First, many of these 17 planets would never have developed life of any kind!

Second, some of the others would most likely have destroyed themselves through warfare, over population, pollution, and/or industrial or natural disasters!

So, a more realistic assessment would be from at least one, and up to five such civilizations existing at this moment in time! For the prepossess of this article, we will assume that only three such civilizations exist.

(The reason for choosing the number (3), will become obvious as the article progresses!)

Diplomatic Relations:

What would Diplomatic Relations be like with such Type III Civilizations??? In reality, not much different from those on Earth except for the problems in communications, (a language we would know little, if anything, about), and especially with 'Dialogue'. (These problems will be addressed later in this article.)

We are assuming that diplomatic relations between these three civilizations would be neutral. But such relations with Earth would be as follows:

One would be an Ally; The second would be Neutral; The third would be Adversarial!

Relations with the first two would be much the same as relations with such Nations here on Earth! However, relations with the third, the Adversarial Civilization, would be somewhat different. Their attitude would not be of an aggressive nature, only a defensive one! They would only become hostile and aggressive towards us if they perceived us as a threat to their security by repeated violations of their space in the galaxy, especially while carrying weapons of mass destruction, or for that matter, weapons of any kind!

How would initial contact develop???

Initial contact would most likely be explorational and clandestine and somewhat confrontational in nature! They would avoid actual contact with us if at all possible!
(There is ample evidence of such actions during and after World War II!)

They would most likely 'quarantine' somewhat, our explorations of space as such peaceful societies would not want a backward, warlike and aggressive society with weapons of mass destruction entering their areas of space! (There is also evidence that this has already occurred!)

Actual contact would most likely be accidental or through direct military confrontation! (Evidence exists that this has probably already occurred!)

At this point, limited, (albeit, secret), negotiations would occur and some very basic protocols established, (no weapons of mass destruction, etc.), and a scientific exchange program might be established as in the movie, 'Encounters of A Third Kind'. (This may also have already happened?)

Reference Websites:

eaglesdisobey.net/bio.htm
projectcamelot.net/livermore_physicist.html
serpo.org/consistencies.asp
serpo.org/release1.asp

Eventually, Full Diplomatic Relations would be initiated, all protocols established, and Diplomatic Exchanges would take place with the exception of the Adversarial civilization.

The Adversarial civilization would at first, violently disagree with such an arrangement, even with the other two civilizations! But eventually, this civilization would relent reluctantly and agree on condition that, under no circumstances, would we be allowed to enter their space and their would be no Diplomatic exchanges whatsoever!. Any disagreements would be handled through the Neutral civilization, much like those that exist on Earth under such conditions.

And it would be up to us to live up to all of these conditions!!!

Now, let us return to Communications and Dialogue:

For the purposes of this article, 'Dialogue' is defined as:

"Does what I say have the same meaning to you as it does to me???"

At first, this may seem to be a very simple question, but, in fact, this can be a very complex question!

It can be assumed that a Type III Extraterrestrial Civilization would have an electronic, digital translator much like is used at the UN and in other formal Diplomatic Negotiations. It would be able to translate all of Earth's major languages as well as those of other Extraterrestrial Nations. However, to be effective and truly understood, all users would have to observe the strict, academic, rules and protocols of the official spoken language of whatever nation is using it! This would preclude the use of 'Slang', local colloquialisms, and by necessity, one would have to enunciate and articulate the spoken word with exact academic correctness to be clearly understood!

At this point, we beg our readers patience while we relate some of the all too common problems encountered in our communications right here on Earth by those who are not 'well educated, World Travelers', meaning, Earth's average citizens!!!

Most of our readers a familiar with the plethora of cheap, electronic, pocket translators available to us on the Common Market. The problem with these devices is that they make exact, 'littoral, word-for-word', translations which most often, do not have the same meaning in another language!

Here are some of the problems encountered by American travelers using such devices:

In Germany, if one keyed in, 'Telephone Operator', (English), one might get the translation for, 'A Telephone Repair Person'! The 'Telephone Operator' in Germany is referred to as, 'The Miss of the Department'!

In most European languages, an American request of, "Call Me!" or "Give Me A Call!", could well be construed to be a reference to one's name! In most European languages, the question of "What is your name?" is stated as, "How called you?" The proper request of, "Give me a call, (a telephone call), would be, "Ring Me!" (This is the same in the UK.)

How about on the other side of the world???

In Japan, 'word-for-word' translations are quite impossible! For instance:

The Japanese do not use double negatives as Americans do in the English language! If someone asks us, (in America), "Don't you watch TV?", we would answer, "No, I don't!" or "Yes, I do!" A Japanese would answer, "YES, I DON'T!" or "NO, I DO!".

A Japanese cattleman trying to convey in English, the message, "We only raise cattle here.", would come out as, "Here cattle! Other animals, no stay!".

The question of, "Where is the bus stop?" would be translated as, "Bus Stop, what place, have a yes!".

From these few examples, one can imagine the problems encountered with trying to communicate with an ET civilization of which, we would most likely, know very little about their language!

Slang, Accents & Colloquialisms:

Ask any foreigner or even the average American, what it is like trying to understand someone from Boston, New Jersey, New York, Chicago, much less Australian 'Slang', the mutterings of a Welshman from the UK, or in Soho, London speaking with a 'Cockney' accent! They will most likely tell you, "FORGET IT!!!". Many Americans even have trouble understanding the 'Kings' English', as spoken in the UK!

We will end this part of our discussion with just two more examples of our 'Earthly miscommunications' - one quite humorous, the other, not so funny:

The Madam Manager of a Chinese Laundry & Dry Cleaning Service sent her deliveryman on an urgent, emergency delivery and pick up situation. The man returned in record time! Madam Manager then stated, "You back already???". His reply, "Absolutely! I don't let 'grass grow under my feet!". Her reply: "What mean, 'Grass Grow Under Feet???"!!!

And finally, (This could lead to some serious consequences!):

An Arab-Islamic family moves in next door! Of course the American neighborly thing to do would be to offer assistance! But how would such an offer be received by this Middle Eastern family who might not be all that familiar with American customs???

It could very well be misconstrued as, "They have come over to spy on us and meddle in our affairs!!!"! (This problem has actually occurred in our relations with certain Middle Eastern countries!).

As our readers can see, we have a long way to go in improving our interpersonal communications as, in this moment in time, we could be anywhere in the world in less then 24 hours! So, before we can even think about communicating with Extraterrestrials, we will need a lot of improvement!

One last very important question:

You are out hunting and come in contact with a landed UFO and its occupants!

What would you do??? Would it be advisable to tell them that you were, 'Hunting!'??? Not really! Given our 6,000 years of violent, recorded history, this might be construed to mean: "YOU ARE HUNTING THEM!!!".

This will be the subject in our next article in SCIENCE in FOCUS, Playing the Game of 'What If?'.

Stay Tuned!

Dick Udell

Reading References:

There are many references dealing with Interpersonal Communications available in all Public Libraries, Book Stores, and on the Internet, too numerous to mention here, but we encourage our readers to consult them for a more 'in depth' understanding of this article.

Read Part 1 of this article
Read Part 2 of this article
Read Part 3 of this article

See also our articles: Extraterrestrials in Our Oceans Mysterious Circles Human Potentials: The Powers We Possess Unidentified Dome-Shaped Structure On Antarctica's Ground: Do they watch what we do? More UFO Sightings UFO Videos More Articles