"On The Other Claw...."

Heh, I'm not sure if "polyglot distortion", to coin a phrase, is quite on point though (but it's an interesting observation). My thoughts on writers was about their intent. When watching a foreign-langauge film in sub-title, one typically doesn't see a translation style which strips things down to "I saw the metal-bird come from where-the-sun-rises through my see-far" unless the translated prose is attempting to portray something rustic, unrefiined, old, simple, or primitive". For example, the subtitles to an anime set in modern Japan wouldn't use metal-bird for "aeroplane". However, the translated dialog for a fantasy period piece set in 16th century China might call the wacky flying device a clever inventor made the "metal bird".

When portraying things for your native audience, this are basic matters that need to be considered. This is why "The Day of Lighting" can clash so badly IN ENGLISH (including when it is just assumed that the dialog is being translated for the English-speaking viewer) with the culture which has a visible "sophistication" level on par (or supposedly greater than!) the audience. Plus at times, it almost seems to play to certain stereotypes or narrow thinking. An alien culture which has a religion or metaphysical tradition that mirrors "quant" primitive beliefs (such as the ever-popular Native Americans) has their concepts presented in appropriately "simple" language to the ears of the audience. As if the writer is thinking "and here, I'll take advantage of the association between charming primitive belief systems. How clever!"

I want to see some warp travelling aliens who have computers and proccessed food, and also practice an equivalent to something like druidism, paganism, or wicca. Including the captain of the ship making a spell for good luck so the warp core doesn't breach!