"Are you suggesting that the Galactics are enemies?"
She shook her head indignantly. "I am not! I'm suggesting that language is primarily an instinctive social reflex. The least common denominator of a social problem is a human being. One single human being. And here we are all involved with getting this thing into mathematical equations and neat word frequency primarily oral!"
"But you've been researching a visual...."
"Yes! But only as it modifies the sounds." She leaned toward Langsmith. "Dr. Langsmith, I believe that this language is a flexional language with the flexional endings and root changes contained entirely in the bodily movements!"
"Hmmmmmmm." Langsmith studied the smoke spiraling ceilingward from his pipe. "Fascinating idea!"
"We can assume that this is a highly standardized language," said Francine. "Basing the assumption on their high standard of civilization. The two usually go hand in hand."
Langsmith nodded.
"Then the gestures, the sounds would tend to be ritual," she said.
"Mmmmm-hmmmm."
"Then ... may we have the help to go into this idea the way it deserves?" she asked.