Sims Voice Actor Confirms Origins Of Simlish Language
If you've wondered what Sims are talking about in EA's long-running simulation games, one voice actor lifts the lid on a shocking franchise secret.
29th Jun 2021 13:43
Electronic Arts
Sims Voice Actor Confirms Origins Of Simlish Language
If you've wondered what Sims are talking about in EA's long-running simulation games, one voice actor lifts the lid on a shocking franchise secret.
29th Jun 2021 13:43
Electronic Arts
If we said to you, "Whippna choba dog", you'd probably look at us with a puzzled stare and phone the nearest psychiatrist. However, if you've ploughed hours into The Sims and can speak Simlish like Daenerys Targaryen can speak Dothraki, you'll know the above saying means, "This is cool".
Since The Sims first released in early 2000, we've had 20 years of games and expansions. Whether it's getting down and dirty with Hot Date, pretending you're Harry Potter with Makin' Magic, or farming with the upcoming The Sims 4: Cottage Living expansion, we've been addicted to making (and breaking) the lives of these poor drones.
While graphics have come on a long way - and players demand more original ways to play - a constant of the series has been the Simlish language. Those little chatterboxes love a natter, but did you know their language is literally just a bunch of gibberish?
What's the origin of The Sims language?
In a candid reveal, voice artist Andrew Chaikin, aka Kid Beyond, revealed that Simlish was/is a load of old nonsense. Posting on Twitter, Chaiklin explained, "So. I was the male voice on The Sims 2, and a bunch of other Sims games. I recorded hours + hours + hours of Simlish. When I started the gig, they told me a lil’ secret: There is no Simlish. — And no script. — The actors just make up gibberish". He posted a series of mind-blown emojis, and we've got to admit, our minds were blown.
Chaikin's reveal came after musician Lolo Zouaï asked, "How do I get my songs officially translated to Simlish?" In a single blow, Chaikin shattered Zouaï's dreams and ours. He said that Simlish had to sound like gibberish instead of a distinguishable language associated with a specific culture. His trick involved flipping a magazine upside down and reading words in reverse.
Despite Simlish being completely random when it first started, Chaikin said he struggled to get out of speaking it. We imagine hours of talking gobbledygook in a recording studio is enough to turn anyone's brain to mush.
What else do we know about The Sims language?
Even if Simlish started out as something, that doesn't mean it hasn't evolved into something more. We doubt EA still employs the same method of flipping a magazine to create those blabbering Sims. The introduction of Simlish came from a clever place, too. By using a seemingly random string of words associated with actions, it allowed people from all over the world to play early games without having to re-record thousands of lines in different languages.
If you want to have your mind's blown further, why not check out the truly bizarre rendition of Katy Perry singing "Last Friday Night" in Simlish? Of course, the chart-topping songstress isn't the only one to have lent her vocals to The Sims. Since The Sims 4, we've been able to hear recognisable songs in-game.
All of this culminates in the "Sims Sessions" musical festival that brings the like of Bebe Rexha performing songs alongside Glass Animals and Joy Oladokun. Even if Simlish isn't meant to be a language, we refuse to let the concept go. Either way, we'll still be speaking Simlish when The Sims 5 eventually rolls around.
For as long as we can remember, EA has conned us into thinking Simlish is an actual thing. There are whole pages of articles on how to speak Simlish. Although it's not as commonplace as the aforementioned Dothraki or something like Klingon, there's still a small fanbase of players that speak Simlish to each other. We've got to admit though, it's a bit of a niche.
About The Author
Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
