So close, Data.
Geordi trying to hack Data into learning contractions by exploiting his ability to use possessives.
Edit: Ugh, why didn't I use "It's a beautiful ship" and stay in theme? Guess this is one of the drawbacks of starting with the punchline and building the joke backwards.
There was a fluke in Data's programming in the pilot and he could use contractions.
The root of the issue is the processing of language, not the sounds themselves. "Its" and "it's" are homophones, but they're not the same word.
Plus, didn't they confirm he can use contractions if he's reading, or otherwise repeating published music/literature? I swear I read that somewhere
"In Theory" he comes in saying "Honey, I'm home!" No problem. Because Data can speak contractions. His language processing just has a hard time with them. But he can absolutely say the words.
Did they ever invent a reason why Data can't use contractions?
I don't recall. I always assumed it was deliberate to further set him apart from the emotionally-unstable, ax-crazy Lore.