ALIEN INTERVIEW
Based On Personal Notes and Interview Transcriptions Provided by :Matilda O'Donnell MacElroy
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Chapter Four
The
Language Barrier
(MATILDA O'DONNELL
MACELROY PERSONAL NOTE)
"After I explained what I thought were the reasons for the
"no answer" answer to the intelligence agents, there was a great deal
of upset and turmoil. A very heated discussion took place between some of the intelligence
officers, military officials, psychologist and the language interpreters. This
lasted for several hours. It was finally decided that I should be allowed continue
to interview the alien, provided I could get a satisfactory answer from her to
the following question:"
(OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF
INTERVIEW)
TOP SECRET
Official Transcript of the
U.S. Army Air Force
Roswell Army Air Field,
509th Bomb Group
SUBJECT: ALIEN INTERVIEW,
11. 7. 1947, 3rd Session
"QUESTION - "What assurance or proof do you require from
us that will make you feel safe enough to answer our questions."
ANSWER - ONLY SHE SPEAKS. ONLY SHE HEARS. ONLY SHE ANSWERS. NO OTHERS. MUST LEARN / KNOW /UNDERSTAND."
(MATILDA O'DONNELL
MACELROY PERSONAL NOTE)
"When I returned from the interview room to report the alien
response to this question I received a grim and skeptical reception from the
assembled intelligence agents and military personnel. They could not understand
what the alien meant by this.
43
I admitted that I couldn't really understand what she meant
either, but I was doing the best I could to articulate her telepathic intentions.
I told the officials that perhaps the communication problem had to do with my
inability to understand the telepathic language of the alien clearly enough to
be satisfactory.
I was so discouraged at that point I almost felt like giving up!
And now, there was even more arguments than before! I was sure I
was going to be removed from my position, in spite of the fact that the
alien refused to communicate with anyone else, or that no one else had been
found who could communicate with her.
Fortunately, a very clever fellow named John Newble, who was a
Japanese language specialist from the Navy, 37 (Footnote) had an
explanation and a solution to the problem. He explained that, first, the
problem had very little to do with the inability of the alien to communicate.
It had more to do with her unwillingness to communicate with anyone other than
myself. Second, in order for any clear, comprehensive communication to happen,
both parties needed to understand and communicate through a common language.
Words and symbols in language convey very precise concepts and
meanings.
He said that the Japanese people have a lot of homonyms 38
(Footnote) in their language which cause a lot of confusion in day to
day communication. They solve this problem by using standard Chinese characters
39
(Footnote) to write down the exact meanings of the word they are using.
This clears up the matter for them.
Without a defined nomenclature, communication was not possible
beyond the rudimentary understanding between men and dogs, or between two small
children. The lack of a common
vocabulary of clearly defined words that all parties can use fluently, was the
limiting factor in communication between all people, groups, or nations.
Therefore, he suggested that there were only two choices. I had to
learn to speak the language of the alien, or the alien had to learn to speak
English. Factually only one choice was possible: that I persuade Airl to learn
English, and that I teach it to her with the guidance of the language
specialist. No one had any objection to trying this approach, as there were no
other suggestions. The language specialists suggested that I take several
children's books, and a basic reading primer, and grammar text with me into the
interview room. The plan was that I would sit next to the alien and read aloud
to her from the books, while pointing to the text I was reading with my finger
so that she could follow along.
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The theory was that the alien could eventually be taught to read,
just as a child is taught to read by word and sound association with the
written word, as well as instruction in fundamental grammar. They also assumed,
I think, that if the alien was intelligent enough to communicate with me
telepathically, and fly a space craft across the galaxy, that she could probably
learn to speak a language as quickly as a 5 year old, or faster!
I returned to the interview room and proposed this idea to Airl.
She did not object to learning the language, although she did not make any
commitment to answer questions either. No one else had a better idea, so we
went ahead."
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To be continued ... Chapter Five
Footnotes:
37 (Footnote)
38 (Footnote)
39 (Footnote)
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