...speak english. It occured to me last night that in past episodes he spoke to her as if she knew exactly what he was saying. When Jin attacked Michael, he instantly questioned her... someone even said, she doesn't speak english and I think he said something to the effect that she understands...

Any thoughts, there were a lot of things about this episode that are clues to her speaking english, that I didn't notice the first time around. Aside of course from the obvious fact that she comes out to Michael.

...speak english.* It occured to me last night that in past episodes he spoke to her as if she knew exactly what he was saying.* When Jin attacked Michael, he instantly questioned her... someone even said, she doesn't speak english and I think he said something to the effect that she understands...

Any thoughts, there were a lot of things about this episode that are clues to her speaking english, that I didn't notice the first time around.* Aside of course from the obvious fact that she comes out to Michael.


I don't think that he knew that she could speak english, but he knew that she could understand him. The same way that he can tell when someone is lying to him, he watches peoples' reactions.
Some people can understand bits and pieces of a language, butnot know enough to speak it or understand clearly. He probably thought she was one of those.

I imagine this came with his "communication officer" officer training with the Republican Guard, the ability to see clues that someone who claims not to speak the language actually understands it based on subtle clues, such as eye movement, signs of listening, or slight reactions that she didn't hide as well as she thought.

Reactions Jin would not have looked for and therefore it is unlikely that he saw them.

abramsfan,
that makes so much sense...it's done so subtly that his skills I think will become more and more important...such as his dealings with Locke later on (sniffing out the lies)
Thanks. I think that's what I was looking for :)

abramsfan,
that makes so much sense...it's done so subtly that his skills I think will become more and more important...such as his dealings with Locke later on (sniffing out the lies)
Thanks. I think that's what I was looking for :)


Cool! :) And I think you are right, Sayid and his "military skills" may take a bigger role next season

I just can't wait! The closer we get to Season 2 I get so anxious for it...It's almost like Charlies Jungle Smack! ;)

I imagine this came with his "communication officer" officer training with the Republican Guard, the ability to see clues that someone who claims not to speak the language actually understands it based on subtle clues, such as eye movement, signs of listening, or slight reactions that she didn't hide as well as she thought.

Reactions Jin would not have looked for and therefore it is unlikely that he saw them.



Excellent point. We only use 10% of our brains, but many people have developed specialty skills such as you mention. Just for fun. I started watching Big Brother tonight, and one of the guys is the head of security for prevention of theft, and he lied to the people so they wouldn't know he had observation skills.

I just can't wait! The closer we get to Season 2 I get so anxious for it...It's almost like Charlies Jungle Smack! ;)

LOL ... I know, which each rerun and all of the new observations, I can't wait to see what they come up with for next season .. to think taping starts in less than a month!

Kate knew Sun could understand English after the first big hike.

Kate knew Sun could understand English after the first big hike.

I'm intrigued...what makes you say so?

Kate knew Sun could understand English after the first big hike.

Because she told Kate that Sayid had fixed the transceiver?
I can see this. But I am not convinced, I think it is possible Kate thought she observed her and Sayid working and talking about the transciever, saw Sayid complete it and maybe heard Sayid ask for Kate??? Am I pushing the edge of reason here?

No you know what, I do recall some exchange between Kate and Sun prior to HOTRS that would have indicated Kate knew she understood...

No you know what, I do recall some exchange between Kate and Sun prior to HOTRS that would have indicated Kate knew she understood...

Which exchange?

I can't remember :'(
It would be cool if I did though huh? ;)
Sorry...if I can find it I'll post again...

Cool! Thanks, I am curious and trying to think of an example, but I don't remember that many interactions between Sun and anyone but Jin, Michael or Walt before HOTRS.

I absolutely think that Sayid knew she could speak English (not merely make out what he wanted), especially in light of things we later learn about Sayid's personality. It seems so out of character for him to just go off and yell at a woman like that; I think it would require a fair amount of provocation, and her refusing to admit she knows English for (as far as he can tell) no reason would do it.

Good point on his observational skills; I also think that being a non-native English speaker himself might help him recognize it in others.

I'm intrigued...what makes you say so?

Watch the scene when they return and tell that they didn't pick up a transmission. Kate sees Sun's reaction to the news, and Kate gives an expression like, "huh!"

Great observations.

Has anyone noticed any other of Sayid's reactions that can be interpreted?

I don't think Kate knew Sun could speak/understand English until that scene of the two of them in the garden when Sun laughs at the appropriate moment and Kate "outs" her.

Also, keep in mind, at one point Kate and Jack were discussing her "secret" right in front of Sun because neither of them thought she could understand. Even if Kate suspected Sun (and maneouvred that scene in the garden), she would not have spoken so openly in front of her about her criminal background.

I don't think Kate knew Sun could speak/understand English until that scene of the two of them in the garden when Sun laughs at the appropriate moment and Kate "outs" her.*

What if...Kate was trying to trap Sun into revealing she spoke English? It's the first explanation that I can find for Kate spinning that ridiculously elaborate lie about wanting to vacation in Fiji or Bali or whatever.


Also, keep in mind, at one point Kate and Jack were discussing her "secret" right in front of Sun because neither of them thought she could understand.* Even if Kate suspected Sun (and maneouvred that scene in the garden), she would not have spoken so openly in front of her about her criminal background.


Maybe Kate was concentrating on Jack when they were talking, and only later remembered her suspicion that Sun could understand English. Then she would set the trap described above.

I don't think Kate knew Sun could speak/understand English until that scene of the two of them in the garden when Sun laughs at the appropriate moment and Kate "outs" her.

Also, keep in mind, at one point Kate and Jack were discussing her "secret" right in front of Sun because neither of them thought she could understand. Even if Kate suspected Sun (and maneouvred that scene in the garden), she would not have spoken so openly in front of her about her criminal background.

Did you re-watch the scene I posted about?

Did you re-watch the scene I posted about?

Unfortunately, no, as I have not yet decided to invest in Tivo.
Can't wait til the DVD comes out!

I do see that in the garden scene, Kate may very well have been trying to trick Sun into revealing that she speaks English. I do agree that it's totally inconsistent with what we know of her backstory that Kate would be contemplating a vacation on sunny Bali shores...

I still don't think though that Kate would have had that discussion with Jack in front of Sun, if she suspected that she would be overheard and understood. She's too sneaky for that! :)

Excellent point.* We only use 10% of our brains, but many people have developed specialty skills such as you mention.*


Just popping in to correct a mis-belief. We actually use all parts of our brains, just not to their full capacity. No section goes unused.

I don't think Sayid knew, I didn't get that vibe. People talk to others who don't understand them all the time. I've done it. We talk at each other even though we know the other doesn't understand a word. The desire to communicate overcomes the logic that tells us there is not point.

Like the scene with Sun and Michael when he asks her to look after Walt (like there wasn't an English speaker to ask? :-\). He "knows" she can't understand him but he keeps talking anyway. Yes, I know it's tone of voice and hand gestures but he keeps talking as well.

If Sayid knew and therefore could guess she was hiding it, why would he expect her to own up in front of others? That makes no sense. He would have asked her alone where she might be more willing to drop the charade.