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Semantics
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Semantics |
| Author(s): | Emily Adams |
| Date(s): | 1988 |
| Length: | |
| Genre(s): | slash |
| Fandom(s): | Star Trek: TOS |
| Relationship(s): | Kirk/Spock |
| External Links: | |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Semantics is a Kirk/Spock story by Emily Adams.
It was published in the print zine First Time #20.
Summary
"Spock's understanding of a new culture from the lack of certain words in their language leads to him and Kirk being able to finally understand what their feelings for each other really are."
Reactions and Reviews
1989
Very enjoyable and thought-provoking. The more I think of it (having no word for something means that thing does not exist in a given civilization) the truer it gets. Plus, somehow it's unfortunate there is no word (that I know of anyway) for that desire for physical closeness that is not sexual. There should be. Spock's characterization was particularly well-done. [1]
1990
As someone who makes her living in words, the whole concept of this story appealed to me. I liked the way it began as a game and slowly flowed into more serious concerns.[2]
I am always glad when I see a story of ideas that stimulates further thought. "Semantics" deals with the Whorf Hypothesis which maintains that people can only think and act in terms of the words and concepts that exist in their culture. I have always accepted this as true, yet this story unintentionally shows us an instance where the Whorf Hypothesis breaks down. We are told in the story that although the Deltans have a word for the need for closeness without sexual desire, Humans and Vulcans have no such word, and therefore such a thing couldn't happen among either Vulcans or Humans. I know from personal experience that Humans can have a need for non-sexual intimacy. It's a phenomenon for which there should be a word. Anyone have a Deltan dictionary? [3]
1995
A short, quiet story, sweet and moving.
And a whole fascinating thing about how Spock can tell so much about a culture from the form of its language. So Kirk and Spock have a talk about concepts, such as happiness. They admit it is happiness they find in each other's presence. This is a beautiful, sweet friendship, a wonderfully shy talk. Inch by inch, word by word, declaring feelings, admitting love, wanting touch, and those exquisite moments of acting on that wanting. Really wonderful dialogue, and lovely sex. [4]
References
- ^ from The LOC Connection #5
- ^ from The LOC Connection #14
- ^ from The LOC Connection #23
- ^ from Come Together #19