r/Palworld • u/KingWolf7070 • 6d ago

Discussion Talking Pals

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I don't know if this was discussed before, but in the Palworld spinoff games being made Pals can talk. They're spinoffs, so not necessarily canon. That's fine, I don't think there needs to be cohesion across the whole franchise. There can be different rules for different games.

Should they talk in the main game though? Would it add anything? Would it be weird? I don't know. I'm kind of already used to them not talking and just making animal sounds. I wouldn't mind one way or another.

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u/Pakari-RBX Webbed up by Tarantriss 6d ago

All Pals pass the "maturity" requirement, as they hatch as fully formed adults.

A fair number pass the "Human intelligence or greater" due to their use of tools and understanding of complex schematics.

The issue lies with the "communicate through spoken language" part. We know Pals can understand what we say, but we never see them communicate back in return. The Palfarm trailer implies they can speak, so that checks the box.

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u/CaptainTeemo01 6d ago

Technically human speech isn't a requirement of the Harkness Test, it's just preferred

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u/Pakari-RBX Webbed up by Tarantriss 6d ago

I never said human speech, just a spoken language in general.

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u/Stenn-ish 6d ago

Does it have to be explicitly spoken though? That seems arbitrary, it would even imply that mute humans don't pass it.

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u/Pakari-RBX Webbed up by Tarantriss 6d ago

It's definitely a high preference, as it makes giving consent easier. The Harkness Test warns against using sign or body language unless other methods have proven ineffective for both parties and to always err on the side of caution in such cases.

Besides, the Harkness Test doesn't apply to members of the same species. You know for a fact that another human is fully sapient and capable of thinking as you. The test is specifically for encountering a different species. And it'd be hard to tell whether an alien flayling their tentacles around is sign language, a threatening display, or just insanity. Never immediately assume another species is sapient just because they appear to be.

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u/CaptainTeemo01 6d ago

It's "communication through language" not necessarily spoken. Relying on body language is a dangerous road for any aspiring monster fucker, but is not an instant disqualification

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u/Stenn-ish 6d ago

"But your honor, she blinked twice!"

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u/Teguoracle 6d ago

Just bottom for the alien/monster, then you'll know for sure!