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"Come on out, motherfucker!"
Dark using vocal mimicry (from Aliens vs. Predator)
Predator Vocal mimic

Predator scanning targets for vocal mimicry.

Vocal mimicry is the process by which Yautja imitate the voices of their prey, whether for the purpose of distracting or luring a target into a desired location, or simply to taunt victims.

Overview[]

Vocal mimicry requires a bio-helmet to be utilized, and should not be confused with a Yautja's natural ability to copy human speech — while Predators can naturally "speak" human words to some extent, vocal mimicry refers specifically to the perfect imitation of a particular human voice.

Mimicry usually involves the repetition of phrases used by other prey previously encountered by the Predator, although it appears the Yautja also have some kind of "database" of pre-recorded statements from which hunters can draw.[1] In fact, some individuals have been heard to repeat phrases used by victims that they had never before encountered themselves, but who were hunted by other Yautja at an earlier time.[2] Typically, mimicry consists of the use of distress calls, beckons or insults to lure a target to a specific location, often with the intent of separating them from their comrades and thereby making them an easier target. Predators have also been known to use mimicry to circumvent electronic security systems that require the use of a specific spoken password to deactivate.[2] Occasionally (and somewhat less commonly), vocal mimicry is used for no purpose other than to taunt or scare prey, or as a form of celebration following a particularly significant victory.[2]

Due to the often appropriate use of mimicry, it appears Yautja have at least some understanding of the phrases they repeat.

Trivia[]

  • Scarface repeated a phrase Isabella Borgia said to him a century before the main events of Concrete Jungle. This means that phrases can be held and stored for a very long time.
  • One particular Yautja, the See-Through Slasher, was quite fond of using Vocal Mimicry and used it constantly, often picking up phrases from its prey/targets and television.

References[]

  1. Aliens vs. Predator, Microsoft Windows version, Rebellion, 2010.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Predator: Concrete Jungle, PlayStation 2, Xbox version, Eurocom, 2005.

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