Astraglossa

ASTRAGLOSSA

or

 FIRST STEPS IN CELESTIAL SYNTAX

Program notes

Parts:

I. Establishing communication with our E.T.N.[1]

II. Entering the cosmic landscape

III.The entrance examination

IV. A first lesson in celestial syntax

V. A second lesson in celestial syntax

VI.First Radio Lexicon

In 1952, the British mathematician Lancelot Hogben gave a lecture to the British Interplanetary Society, explaining the details of an early radioglyph scheme for interstellar communication.

This lecture, entitled “Astraglossa or first steps in celestial syntax”, was later developed by the author in a book of essays about various scientific topics.

Hogben suggested that numbers be represented as ordinary pulses (e.g. five pulses for the number five) and mathematical concepts, such as "plus,""minus," or "equal," each by a distinctive signal – a radioglyph. Assuming that numbers are the most universal languages, he considered this method as the only way to find common understanding between humans and extra-terrestrials.

In this musical adaptation, two aerospace engineers try to put Hogben's theories in practice in order to establish communication with alleged extra-terrestrial beings.

Whether they will succeed and the unexpected responses they may get, remains to be seen.