People speaking on behalf of others

[danielle]

There does seem to be a recurring theme in LOST where characters speak or act on behalf of other people (or don't when they could). Some examples are:

Ben/Richard relating Jacobs orders to others
Christian speaking to Locke on behalf of Jacob
Lennon translating for Dogon even though a translator isn't really needed.
Sun's initial refusal to acknowledge that she could translate for Jin

Why is this? why don't people just speak on their own behalf?

I have a bit of theory which relates to the Salman Rushdie book 'The Satanic Verses' which I have referred to in the 'books that I would like to see in S6' thread. Unfortunately, my theory relates to that part of the book which caused so much offence and ultimately ended in a Fatwah being placed on Rushdie. I won't go into too much detail as I don't want to offend anyone here, but I do wonder whether there have been instances in LOST where the information that has been passed on to 3rd parties has been corrupted or altered on purpose by either the translator or the messenger to achieve a different outcome.

I have seen some theories speculating that Richard is needed in order to keep Jacob safe from the loophole ie if Jacob knows he will be killed by a leader of the Others, then what better way to provide protection than by isolating himself and only allowing communication with 1 trusted friend. This seems a really plausible theory.

Of course Dogon himself provides a reason for needing a translator - he suggests that it provides an easy way to distance himself from people at the Temple. Does anyone really buy the idea that people living in the temple complex don't know that he really understands them?

Does anyone else have any theories as to why the device of messengers and translators is used so frequently and seems so important?

[Here'sLOCKEing at you,Kid]

There does seem to be a recurring theme in LOST where characters speak or act on behalf of other people (or don't when they could). Some examples are:

Ben/Richard relating Jacobs orders to others
Christian speaking to Locke on behalf of Jacob
Lennon translating for Dogon even though a translator isn't really needed.
Sun's initial refusal to acknowledge that she could translate for Jin

Why is this? why don't people just speak on their own behalf?

I have a bit of theory which relates to the Salman Rushdie book 'The Satanic Verses' which I have referred to in the 'books that I would like to see in S6' thread. Unfortunately, my theory relates to that part of the book which caused so much offence and ultimately ended in a Fatwah being placed on Rushdie. I won't go into too much detail as I don't want to offend anyone here, but I do wonder whether there have been instances in LOST where the information that has been passed on to 3rd parties has been corrupted or altered on purpose by either the translator or the messenger to achieve a different outcome.

I have seen some theories speculating that Richard is needed in order to keep Jacob safe from the loophole ie if Jacob knows he will be killed by a leader of the Others, then what better way to provide protection than by isolating himself and only allowing communication with 1 trusted friend. This seems a really plausible theory.

Of course Dogon himself provides a reason for needing a translator - he suggests that it provides an easy way to distance himself from people at the Temple. Does anyone really buy the idea that people living in the temple complex don't know that he really understands them?

Does anyone else have any theories as to why the device of messengers and translators is used so frequently and seems so important?

I'm just bumping this up because I think it's good. Sorry I don't have anything to add though. :o
Anyone else please?

[stream]

on the old board I made several comments on the lack of communication , and continual secrecy when it seemed unessesary. This is like a continuation of that, the writers and producers seem to lack a certian touch for dialog that could make things a lot clearer it would seem.
like this need for a third person, as you point out Danielle (good to see you, by the way)

I know sometimes it is good that if you see who you are telling something is not getting it then you say it a different way so they do get it, but why drag someone else into it????

[danielle]

I think this scenario is introduced for a specific reason. Imagine if Jacob produced a list and then, for whatever reason, it was altered by the messenger on purpose, it could have huge consequences?