Pokémon language: Difference between revisions

Most {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} communicate with their [[cry]], their cry usually being their own name. However, even though their cries are unique to their species, different Pokémon are able to understand each other, whether they're in a [[tag battle]] or just playing together. Easily recognized moments of this happening is seen between [[Ash's Pikachu]] and [[Dawn's Piplup]], such as in ''[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]'', when the two communicated so they could save their owners. it was originally thought that their cries remained the same whatever they were saying, but dedicated fans have realized that Ash's Pikachu uses different phrases when saying different things, like 'Piiika-Chuuuuuuuu' when using {{m|Thunderbolt}} or 'Pika-Pikachu' when saying its name. This is the same with Dawn's Piplup, such as 'Piplup-lup-lup' when using {{m|Bubblebeam}}, or 'Pipluurrrp' when using {{m|Whirlpool}}, the 'lup' becoming distinctly watery. {{MTR|Team Rocket's Meowth}} is an exception of this, as he is only able to speak in the human language - yet he is still able to understand the language of Pokémon, making him a useful translator.

[[File:Meowth.png|thumb|200px|Mouthy Meowth]]

Very few Pokémon are able to understand and speak the human language. The most well-known [[talking Pokémon]] is Team Rocket's Meowth, who relentlessly learnt English to impress his love, [[Meowzie]]. But other Pokémon are able to speak English as well, such as the {{p|Gastly}} in ''[[EP020|The Ghost of Maiden's Peak]]'' and the {{p|Slowking}} in ''[[M02|The Power of One]]''. In some [[Pokédex]] entries, it mentions how the Pokémon are able to understand human comprehension, but it seems that all Pokémon understand humans.

'''Telepathy'''

Many Pokémon, mainly {{type2|Psychic}}s, interact with humans via telepathy. For instance, the {{p|Ralts}} in ''[[AG109|Do I Hear a Ralts?]]'' telepathically called [[Max]] to help her - though, she may have been crying out for anyone, and Max was the only one that heard it. Most of the talking Pokémon speak telepathically, such as the [[Zorua (movie 13)|Zorua]] in ''[[M13|Zoroark: Master of Illusions]]''. Many [[Legendary Pokémon]] are able to do this as well.

 

 

Some Pokémon have been able to speak telepathically through a person or another Pokémon. It is wondered why some Pokémon do this, instead of just speaking directly. A Gastly and a {{p|Haunter}} spoke through Meowth in ''[[EP095|A Shipful of Shivers]]'', and Meowth was used again by {{p|Deoxys}} in  ''[[AG171|Pokémon Ranger - Deoxys' Crisis! Part 1]]'' and ''[[AG172|2]]''.  Coincidentally, Meowth was used both times, most likely because he is able to speak English.  

'''Illusion'''

 

There is only one time of this happening. The {{p|Ninetales}} from ''[[EP232|Just Waiting On a Friend]]'', created an illusion called [[Lokoko]] through which it spoke.

 

'''Shape-shifting'''

[[Image: Latias as Bianca.png|thumb|200px|Latias or Bianca?]]

'''Partnership'''

[[File:Ash and his Pikachu.png|thumb|200px|Ash and Pikachu's Bond]]

 

It seems that an experienced or empathic trainer is able to communicate quite fluently with their Pokémon, if only intuitively. {{Ash}} is able to do this, as seen in ''[[DP111|Saving the World From Ruins!]]'', where he understood that Pikachu was persuading him to let him use Thunderbolt to help [[Riley's Lucario]].

== Related articles ==  

* {{DL|Ash's Pikachu|Pikachu's language}}