Indo
Welcome to Solaris, traveller! This is a slower-than-light science fantasy set in our own solar system.
About Solaris | Guide to Solaris | Prologue
About Solaris | Guide to Solaris | Prologue
Lingua Franca of Solaris
My words flow like oobleck; in nasty little clusters. On the broadcasts they speak like a song. I sound strangled, though I've spoken this language long enough to wilt my mother tongue. If Indo is the language of the stars, I have my feet firmly planted in the dirt.
Indo, also known as Sol Standard, Kronish or Fainon, is a spoken and written language originally from Saturn. It is by far the most common second language in the Sol System, and the twelfth most common spoken native language overall. It is the official language of Saturn and Mars. Like a lot of spoken languages, Indo requires at least one mouth with a vocal tract, or a synthesizer. Casting a Wide Net
There's been several trade languages over the years, but Indo gained its initial foothold alongside the Interlace, a system of cross-space communication first established between the moons of Saturn. As the default language of SWAN and other early forms of Interlace, Indo became associated with modern space travel. Indo played a special role in the modernization of Martian society. The language was mandated as the offical working language of Mars in an attempt to abolish cultural hierachies in the workplace. The prominence of Martian and Saturnian tech, both produced primarily in Indo, has contributed to it's dominance system-wide. Indo is by far the easiest language to find translation gadgets for; from caption lenses to plug and play implants. The sophistication and capabilities of these devices varies heavily with price.
Many rely on technology to aid their understanding and communication of Indo. However, some go so far as to "blame" the proliferation of bargain bin devices for the pidgin Indo spoken in the asteroid belt and other isolated regions.
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I love that quote at the beginning. Kind of gets across that not everyone likes Indo being the lingua franca. I also love the bit about tech!
Explore Etrea | Summer Camp 2025
Thank you! I wanted to show a different sort of perspective. I hope to write more about translation tech later this year! Maybe a Summercamp prompt will fit the bill?
Solaris | Camp Chill | Summer Camp