Marsian n. 2

This ended in the subsequent measure known as the great ‘Tca Mrofer,’ if I may thus attempt to lay down the difficult Marsian jargon.

My host made me understand that glaten was the name of the cake which we ate, that doichen was the red liquid which we drank, that glat meant eat, and that doich meant drink. He also told me the Marsian for hand, foot, nose, head, table, chair and many other things. [Ibid. 8/5] I applied myself diligently to the study of the Marsian language, and to such purpose that in three months I could converse fairly well, and in six months fluently. [...] The pronunciation I never properly mastered; but, in other respects I got to speak pretty well in time. But though I had learnt to speak the Marsian language in a few months, it took me much longer to learn to read it.

I took one in my hand and flipped its leaves to show Severnius that I knew what a book was. He was delighted. He asked me, in a language which he and I had speedily established between ourselves, if I would not like to learn the Marsian tongue. I replied that it was what I wished above all things to do. We set to work at once. His teaching was very simple and natural, and I quickly mastered several important pi'inciples.

Marconi, the wireless telegraph man, is reported to have declared that some mysterious and indecipherable messages which are received daily at the Cape Clear receiving installation come from Mars—to the best of his belief, of course. [...] Then suddenly the idea struck him—it was Mars signalling. The signs were Marsian for: ‘What ho, above there!’

‘VOM!’ [Note:] Translated from the Marsian, means ‘Ye Gods! A mirage!’