Animal Translator

Animal Translator
Type:	Translator
Location:	Backyard
Episode(s):	"Interview With a Platypus"

"Some say he's just a mindless platypus, but he might actually be thinking some profound thoughts." — Phineas

The Animal Translator is a translating device built by Phineas and Ferb to understand animal speech.

History

Phineas and Ferb ponder what to do for the day. Eyeing Perry, they imitate his chatter, leading them to wonder what it means. Inspired, the boys decide to construct a translator to find out what their pet thinks about. Later, with the machine finished, Phineas puts Perry next to it, while Ferb activates it. Just before they can test it, Isabella shows up. Phineas explains their plan to her, who notices that the platypus has disappeared.

Amidst the confusion, the kids hear a voice coming from the device; a red bird is talking through it, to their surprise. Phineas approaches the bird to confirm if it understands humans, subsequently doing the same with a nearby squirrel. Now knowing that the translator works for any creature, Isabella heads out to get Pinky, and the bird flies away to call other animals in the area so that they can express themselves.

A long line is formed next to the backyard, with many different animal species waiting to use the machine. Phineas, Ferb, Isabella, and the Fireside Girls help sort out the problems for each client, compiling a list of common complaints. As they set out to tell the needs of the pets to all the owners, Candace comes by and, in a fit of rage, exclaims her disdain of animals, causing them to chase her. At the end of the day, the translator is used on Perry, whose chatter turns out not to mean anything ("Interview With a Platypus").

Design

The translator is a light grey, teal, and orange machine consisting of two parts, one small and the other large. The former has a half cylinder top with a microphone stand and a blue output speaker, and a rectangular bottom with multiple switches. The latter is a rectangular part containing two engine marks, six red buttons, four switches, two exhaust pipes, two yellow connectors on top and on the back, and a green panel in the side. Additionally, it is sustained by six small wheels, allowing for flexible movement.

Mechanics

The translator captures sound through the microphone in its front. The mechanical waves then pass by the engine compartment, where they are processed and converted into English. Afterwards, the translated output is emitted by the speaker.

Background Information

• The teal and orange color scheme of the translator is a nod to Perry, for whom it was conceived.
• The concept of comparing animal language to human speech has been explored in scientific studies, through which it has been discovered that many animal calls are in fact similar to humans' talking patterns.
• The animals seen using or waiting to use the translator are:

Perry Pinky Bird Squirrel Tabby cat Terrier dog Jones' hamster Other cats Other dogs Deer Bears Moose

Snake Cheetah Toucans Rhinoceros Giraffe Pelican Panda Gorilla Pig Mouse Alligator Elephants

Lions Horses Turtles Hyenas Cows Baboons Ostriches Hippopotamuses Zebras Beavers Ducks

• According to Isabella, they got 78 complaints about food quantity, and 42 requests for belly rubs, in addition to trying to explain television to Pinky. This indicates that they had listened to a total of 121 animals.
• The back part of the animal line, from the lion to the ostrich, was copied to fill out the remaining space.

Appearances

• "Interview With a Platypus" ^{(First appearance)}

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