Hard Light Productions Forums

Hosted Projects - Standalone => Diaspora => Topic started by: Furyofaseraph on January 29, 2009, 09:56:12 pm

Title: Questions regarding terminology.
Post by: Furyofaseraph on January 29, 2009, 09:56:12 pm
We all know that BSG is fraught with new and semi-exotic terms analogous to what we, especially in the military, may be familiar with: "Bingo Fuel", "Krypter! Krypter! Krypter!", "Cylon BaseStar bearing 126 Carom 019!" etc, etc.

I was wondering if you guys had any ideas as to what you might use to fill the gaps? if "Krypter" = "Mayday" what would you use for "Pan Pan" or "Securite". To my knowledge we haven't seen any equivalents in the show, but I'm just curious.

BTW, please tell me that you won't use the term "Repeat" and instead will use the proper "Say again" or "I say again"
Title: Re: Questions regarding terminology.
Post by: FraktuRe on January 29, 2009, 11:36:48 pm
I'm not sure about words like that, though I do remember the team (on btrl) had a replacement for the NATO Phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo, charlie, etc), so I'm sure they've got a list or at least the ideas on what to say.
Title: Re: Questions regarding terminology.
Post by: General Battuta on January 29, 2009, 11:37:32 pm
From the show we know that it's 'Alpha Bravo Constellation', and that 'N' is Nebula. I don't remember if we have any other substitutes.
Title: Re: Questions regarding terminology.
Post by: Furyofaseraph on January 29, 2009, 11:48:20 pm
Ah, the Colonial Wireless Alphabet.

These are ones that have appeared in the show.

A   Alpha/Alfa
B   Bravo
C   Constellation
D   Delta
E   Echo
G   Gamma
N   Nebula
S   Sierra
T   Tango
X   X-ray

The RPG book has the rest.
I refer you to this page: http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Colonial_Wireless_Alphabet
Title: Re: Questions regarding terminology.
Post by: Snagger on January 31, 2009, 09:07:39 am
Ah, the Colonial Wireless Alphabet.

These are ones that have appeared in the show.

A   Alpha/Alfa
B   Bravo
C   Constellation
D   Delta
E   Echo
G   Gamma
N   Nebula
S   Sierra
T   Tango
X   X-ray

The RPG book has the rest.
I refer you to this page: http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Colonial_Wireless_Alphabet
In other words, they have used the standard international phonetic alphabet, with a few exceptions where they can use "space words" to fit the SF contect.  It's a bit lame.

As for "Pan-pan" or "securite" equivalents, most ICAO and Eu-Ops countries don't recognise those two phrases, recognising only "Mayday".  So if they're not used much in the real world, there's little need for them in the show.
Title: Re: Questions regarding terminology.
Post by: karajorma on January 31, 2009, 09:26:26 am
It's really about using space words. Many of the names simply can't be used. You can't use India, Zulu or Yankee for instance.
Title: Re: Questions regarding terminology.
Post by: newman on January 31, 2009, 09:47:33 am
I don't think we actually need the equivalents of pan-pan and securite. The show certainly doesn't.
Pretty sure we can write around that, especially since the game will revolve around combat with the cylons - meaning all distress calls are life-threatening :)
Title: Re: Questions regarding terminology.
Post by: Deckard on January 31, 2009, 01:48:44 pm

F   Frack?  :D
Title: Re: Questions regarding terminology.
Post by: Axem on February 01, 2009, 12:33:36 am
We're using Fractal -er I mean Frak-tal...  :nervous:

True story.
Title: Re: Questions regarding terminology.
Post by: Mongoose on February 01, 2009, 02:14:08 pm
I'd just like to know how "Constellation" makes any sense at all for abbreviated vocal communications.  It's four friggin' syllables, for crying out loud. :p
Title: Re: Questions regarding terminology.
Post by: Rian on February 01, 2009, 06:59:54 pm
I believe the idea is to remove ambiguity, not to abbreviate. It’s difficult to mistake “constellation,” even heard through radio fuzz, but a shorter word would be more easily cut off, garbled, or misinterpreted.
Title: Re: Questions regarding terminology.
Post by: kalnaren on February 01, 2009, 09:57:30 pm
"bingo" and "joker" are two terms used today to refer to fuel. "bingo" means two minutes left before having to head back, joker means you must head back to base (or tanker) now on remaining fuel.