Luminoth Language
The Luminoth Language is the communication form used by the Luminoth of Aether. Written in a complex three-dimensional representation often witnessed on Aether in holographic form, this language was used extensively to record the Luminoth's history and even lock specialized gates that blocked access to key areas. These symbols can be combined into clusters to forms words. It appears that these complex symbols were depicted on a two dimensional plane by writing them with minor distortions to render them legible prior to the invention of three-dimensional displays.
Samus is incapable of deciphering this writing system without various updates to her Translator Module.[1] The first update she receives is from U-Mos, who gives her access to Violet Holograms.[2] The Sentinels I-Sha, A-Voq, and O-Lir update her module to read Amber, Emerald, and Cobalt holograms, respectively.[3][4][5] Interestingly, she does not need her Module updated to read Luminoth Datapacs.
Coincidentally, the only transliterated Luminoth word is Ing, which means terror. Other words represented in this writing system can be translated directly into English using a translation key provided in Echoes' Concept Gallery.
Development[edit | edit source]
The Luminoth language was developed by Retro Studios employee Karl Deckard. Since the Luminoth do not have mouths with which to talk, they would communicate with each other by manipulating their hands to make the symbols as a form of sign language.[6]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Images[edit | edit source]
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Luminoth in its two dimensional form in Agon Wastes
Videos[edit | edit source]
References
- ↑ "Unable to active Luminoth Lore Projector. Proper Translator Module needed for access." —Scan Data (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes)
- ↑ "I have also updated your Translator Module. You can now access devices and doors coded with Violet holograms. Many lands are now open to you." —U-Mos (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes)
- ↑ "I have updated your Translator Module. You can access devices and doors coded with Amber holograms. More lands are open to explore." —I-Sha (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes)
- ↑ "I have updated your Translator Module. You can access devices and doors coded with Emerald holograms. Search the areas now opened to you." —A-Voq (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes)
- ↑ "I have updated your Translator Module. you can access devices and door coded with Cobalt holograms. Search the areas now open to you." —O-Lir (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes)
- ↑ "In Metroid Prime 2, he [Karl Deckard] invented the Luminoth language. Remember the circles and stuff? Those are the Luminoth knuckles in three-dimensional space. So when you see the strings and dots and stuff...the Luminoth don't have any vocalization, they speak with their hands...Their joints and fingers are bulbous, so when they're speaking to another Luminoth, they're orienting their hands towards to viewer and making [hand signs]...and that's what the written text is." #105 Mike Wikan Interview, 14:06, Kiwi Talks
