Ask Lemmy

So can still understand, read and write every language and the limitations only applies to actually speaking?

Given that almost everyone in the world speaks one of a tiny fraction of world languages, there's less than 0.1% chance that anyone you ever meet will be able to understand you. Google Translate only covers 250 of more than 7000 world languages, so there's a 97% chance I can't even use online tools to get my message across.

If it was weighted it would still suck as I'd need to travel to other countries based on what i happen to speak (if it changes each year). That doesn't sound worth it, especially not for the rest of my life. If it changed after every sentence, it would be like having an awful speech impediment. Trying to have a conversation would involve repeating myself half a dozen times until I hit the right language, and only if I'm in top 5 langauge areas. If I was trying to speak french I'd need to repeat myself 20 times before I was likely to be understood.

And what's the benefit? That I can understand lots of langauges but can't functionally communicate?

For secnario 2 and 3 I could just say the same sentence 50 times and eventualy i'll get the right language, assuming I go to the countries in of the top most popular languages. For scenario 1 I can use pen and paper.

But what does "know every language" even mean? Like how good are you? Average? Beginner level? College professor level?

I mean maybe I'll take it so I can watch Anime without needing subtitles, but actually I'm not too sure, I heard that to Japanese people, the acting is actually sounds quite "overdramatized" so I'm not sure if knowing Japanese is actually a great idea.

I already know the two most popular languages... so... meh, idk... 🤷‍♂️

What is the point of knowing every language if I can't use them? Option two is the less nightmarish.

I can see the first option as a Twilight Zone episode with the dude not realising of the random changes and going crazy when no one can understand him.

No thank you for all cases. But itb would be funny to understand minion.

I choose the second option

Rather speak all but for a year i cant speak a random one. I can still write it afterall and there are so many, including dead, natives and almost extingt languages that i would probably not even notice me not being able to speak a random indonesian language

Second option, and I'll speak Loxian unless it gets dropped for a year, in which case I'll use Klingon for that year.

Loxian is a language made by Irish singer Enya's songwriter, Roma Ryan. It's a complete language, but they are the only two who know it, and they aren't teaching it to others. Any artsy/fantasy language (such as Tolkien's Elvish or Star Trek's Klingon) is a great troll language, but you can learn the latter two. You cannot learn Loxian. But if you know every language, you are added to the short list of people who do know it. And Roma's husband passed away a few months ago; she and Enya are probably not long for this world either. So once they are gone, surely nothing stands in the way of you teaching it to others (if you want to). This is what Loxian sounds like. (Yes, it sounds like both Elvish and Gaelic. Ryan crafted it after writing "May it Be" for Enya, which incorporated Tolkien's Elvish language. That's the song that plays at the end of Fellowship of the Ring. Writing a song with Elvish inspired her to create a language based entirely on Enya's vocal style. Which means it would probably be harder for a normal person to learn... Enya is basically part Elf herself, or something like that.)

Of course I jest. I'd use Japanese primarily, but I'd speak in whatever language I needed to in order to communicate.

Yes. For sure. Basically cursed with mutism most of the time, last case addresses that best, but able to read or listen to everyone? Worth it.

If I get a rare lang I'll contrib to the common voice project that year.