Deprecated due to the likelihood of stereotypes and racism.
Synonyms
Accents.
Introduction
Let’s practice sounding different.
Description
Gibberish is a both a skill and an exercise. Gibberish is also wrought with the opportunity for stereotypes and overt racism. The discussion in this structure is about how to use gibberish as a positive tool for training and performance.
Gibberish is not mocking a language and infusing cultural stereotypes for laughs that punch down. To avoid this clear direction must be given to players when using gibberish.
- Unidentifiable and incomprehensible
- Follows a grammatical structure
- Does not use stereotypical mannerisms or occupations.
This will be enough for many players to create a gibbering language that serves the purpose of gibberish. Encouraging players to mumble incomprehensibly in their usual “language.” Speaking their native language as how a dog, cow, or robot would speak it. More advanced players can alter their gibberish language to follow an theme like: car sales gibberish, first date gibberish, sermon gibberish. Gibberish can be endowed with emotions.
Gibberish is a powerful tool for helping players get past saying funny things and into saying things funny. There is nuance to this pithy aphorism. Saying things funny allows comedy to happen by accident. Saying funny things are jokes, puns, and gags that often damage a scene. Many players (this writer included) are prone to gags, puns, and jokes in scenes. If a player can’t stop doing gags switching over to gibberish is helpful.
Communicating in gibberish requires the player to convey emotion, facial expression and mime objects to express themselves. Gibberish is an exercise that can assist players to see the benefit of subtext in their regular scene language.
Gimmicks
- Amoeba, tree, and worm gibberish.
Variations
- Gibberish Hello
- Poet’s Corner
- Translated Opera
- Gibberish Switch
Credits
Gnrble Blzzrk.