Title: Language

Fandom: Star Trek (2009)

Rating: G

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Author's Notes: I love writing young versions of favourite characters. I wanted to bring in things I know from being a longtime fan of Star Trek into the new version.

The room has excellent acoustics; Uhura had noticed when the chorale performed the night previous. She'd decided to skip the guided tour scheduled for this morning in order to return and hear it empty. Her voice bounced back to her beautifully, filling the room with sound. She sang the most difficult piece the chorale had performed, a Vulcan lullaby or so it was billed. Uhura was unconvinced. And critical of their performance; it had been their weakest showing in Uhura's estimation.

"You have a good ear for language." Uhura turned at the voice; she hadn't heard the woman's approach, somewhat unusual but she had been intent on her song. The words were somewhat unusual also. Most people complimented her voice, not her language skills.

The woman smiled and walked closer. "And a beautiful singing voice," she said, as if she'd read the girl's mind - and maybe she had; though she looked human, her clothes were decidedly alien and the concert had included singing groups from a selection of other Federated planets as well as from all over Earth. "But excellent articulation for someone so young. Do you know what you are singing?"

Uhura met the woman's measured gaze. "I know what the translation is."

"An interesting choice of words." She paused. "Do you disagree with the translation?"

Uhura took a breath and spoke two phrases from the song. "The translation lists those as the same but there are differences. Nothing is repeated in the phrasing...I think purposefully."

The woman nodded. "As I said, an excellent ear. You are correct, young lady."

Uhura paused a moment before asking. She didn't recognize this woman as one of the teachers or organizers of the concert, but she had approached her...and she'd spoken as if she knew. "Do you know what it really means?"

She cocked her head, thoughtfully. "I know what the words mean. The meaning of the song is more difficult to explain...It is a teaching song."

"Are you a teacher?"

"I was." She looked back to Uhura. "A teacher of languages."

Uhura drew a sharp breath. "Do you know all the languages?"

A laugh met this. "I doubt anyone knows all the languages in the Federation, and we meet new cultures all the time. But I know quite a number, yes." Uhura pursed her lips. Watching, the older woman found something very familiar in her stance. Again, she exhibited some intuition into the girl's thoughts. "Here." She took a data pad from her bag. "This includes about a third of the languages spoken outside Earth and the Terran colonies. You can start with that."

The lesson was meant for a Vulcan child, considered far above the skill level of an eight year old human. But unaware, Uhura simply accepted the pad very seriously. "Thank you."

"You are very welcome." She raised a hand in the salute of her adopted culture. "Live long and prosper." And a smile, proving she remained as human as they come. "Good luck."

Uhura nodded and with a polite bow, left the room, pad in hand and head full of ideas.