Anyone who’s played The Sims has likely experienced Simlish – the made-up iconic Sim language that, although nonsensical at its core, is still able to get multiple points and emotions across to the player. How did Simlish come to be, and is it a learnable language?
Simlish debuted in the 1996 flight simulator, SimCopter. It was created by The Sims creator Will Wright, who is believed to have explored different languages including Tagalog from the Philippines and Ukrainian, among others, when creating Simlish. Wright ultimately decided he wanted a language that could be understood globally but also left a lot to the player’s imagination, allowing for more creative and individualistic experiences. Eventually he found two voice actors, Stephen Kearin and Gerri Lawlor, who improvised the sounds and emotions that set the foundation for Simlish as heard today.
Because Simlish is mostly gibberish, it cannot be learned in a traditional sense like other fictional languages such as George R.R. Martin’s Dothraki. There is no structural grammar or syntax. Yet actual words and phrases have repeated and stuck overtime, and fan-made translations have materialized as a result, such as this unofficial Simlish Dictionary. For example, “nooboo” is widely accepted as the Simlish word for “baby,” as it’s common to hear Sims pronounce this when interacting with one throughout the series. The erratic composition of Simlish can present a double-edged sword as far learning it goes: it’s lack of structure prevents any concrete fluency, yet that’s where the beauty of creativity comes in! Arguably anyone can drivel in Simlish with the right tone and passion, and memorizing commonly repeated Simlish phrases can make this made-up language feel more authentic.
The Sims Language: Simlish Translated & Demystified
Simlish includes some English phrases, so it wouldn’t be odd to slip in some real words when attempting to speak it. For example, the original The Sims featured common exclamations such as “Yuck!” and “Ouch!” which were spoken during appropriate scenarios, like Sims chopping food at a low cooking level and accidentally hurting themselves, or when Sims are disgusted with something like an unclean toilet. In The Sims 3: Generations, a child can even be heard asking, “Where do nooboos come from?” during scouting events. Bits of English continued to have a presence as heard up through The Sims 4, which – like the Simlish vocabulary – evolved and expanded over the years.
As fans continue to translate and compile Simlish vocabulary, EA has subtly used and even confirmed some of its words. “Sul sul,” for example, has been established by EA to mean “hello,” and has become another recognizable Simlish phrase to many. Although Simlish is a creation of The Sims developers, the fans also have a hand in bringing it to life and giving it depth. Consequently, translated Simlish has become a by-product of an unintentional collaboration between The Sims developers and their fans. There are even unofficial Simlish translators that can be found online, and various amateur videos that attempt to teach the fictional language. As fans are only going off the nonsense words they are hearing, Simlish spelling often differs among users. Additionally, numerous voice actors have been involved with the series throughout the years, so certain phrases don’t always carry over while new ones emerge with different generations.
Those with a tendency towards linguistic purism may be disappointed that no one can be truly fluent in Simlish. However, as Will Wright’s original intention for this made-up language was for it to be understood on a personal basis in accordance with the Sims’ body language and emotions, fans can find distinctive ways of expressing themselves with their own versions of Simlish. Therefore, there isn’t necessarily a wrong way of going about it if the intention is there. Speaking Simlish simply evokes the same unique creativity that sits at the heart of The Sims series.
Source: Learn Simlish/Blogspot, EA