DaDaDa
DaDaDa Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Overview
DaDaDa is a party game where 2 or more players work together to invent a brand-new language out of nonsense sounds and pictures, then put that language to the test.
Setup
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Shuffle the Sound Deck and draw 5 cards. Return the remaining Sound cards to the box. Flip over 2 Sound cards, saying the sound aloud so everyone can agree on the pronunciation.
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Shuffle the Image cards and, without describing anything you see, flip 13 Image cards face up in the center of the table. Keep the rest of the Image cards close by — you need them in Phase 2.
Phase 1: Creation (about 5 minutes)
The goal during Creation is to form a "language" that allows the team to communicate images beyond the ones currently face up on the table. You may describe the face-up images with one major restriction:
You may only use the sounds visible on the Sound cards.
As you play, try to limit your gestures — this isn't charades, but we understand hand motions do happen. Nod or shake your head, or use thumbs up or down, to communicate yes or no.
Start by sorting the images into different groups and use an available sound to describe the group. Feel free to rearrange the images in new ways to emphasize shared traits or attributes as needed. You have access to all five sounds; reveal another Sound card whenever the current ones are not enough.
Hint: You can combine two or more sounds together, such as saying "poe-ber." Or verbally emphasize sounds by saying "poe?" vs. "POE!!!" to help communicate your thoughts. It is important to remember you can think anything, but only say the words on the table!
After about 5 minutes, you should be comfortable using your new language. It is time to move to Phase 2: Communication. Your language will be tested by describing images you haven't yet seen.
Phase 2: Communication
In Communication, you will test the language formed during Creation.
Randomly choose a player to be the first Communicator. The Communicator draws the top image card from the deck and looks at it — this is the card you are communicating to the group. Take five more Image cards from the deck, shuffle them with your card, and then lay them out on the table. You have one opportunity to get the rest of the group to pick the correct image by saying a sound or series of sounds. You may only use the available sounds, but you may combine them however you choose. The other players (Guessers) may then freely discuss (still using only the five revealed sounds) which Image card the Communicator chose.
Important! The Communicator cannot speak again or react to the Guessers' discussion.
Once the Guessers agree on a card, they should point to it. This signals the Communicator to acknowledge if the group chose correctly.
- If correct, start or add the card to a DEFINED PICTURE! pile. You score a point for every card in the pile.
- If incorrect, start or add the card to a SAY WHAT? pile. The game ends when two cards are added to this pile.
- Discard all other Image cards, and the next player clockwise becomes the Communicator.
Important!! Avoid talking in your native language during this phase. You will be able to discuss your decisions in the next phase.
Phase 3: Reflections & Scoring
After everyone has had a chance to be the Communicator, or a second card has been added to the SAY WHAT? pile, the time has come when players may use their native language again — though for some, it might not be necessary anymore.
Take time to talk about the words and concepts the group just created.
Scoring
In DaDaDa, all languages are beautiful. But for those interested in keeping score, count the number of cards in the DEFINED PICTURE! pile and subtract the cards in the SAY WHAT? pile.
| Score | Result |
|---|---|
| 7+ | Native Speakers |
| 5 - 6 | Fluency Achieved |
| 3 - 4 | Linguists in Training |
| 1 - 2 | Starting to Click |
| 0 | Better Luck Next Time |