Would you rather know every language, but switch to a random one after each sentence, or after each year (unable to speak a different language until the following year)?
Give your answers for the following cases:
- All languages are treated equally (so equal chance for any of them to be switched to)
- Languages are weighted based on number of first-language/native speakers (so Chinese is most likely, then English, etc.)
- Languages are weighted based on number of non-first-language/non-native speakers (so English would be most likely)
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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… 🤷♂️
“Know every language” as in native speaker fluent, though it would be pretty funny if “know every language” means you only know how to count to 10 and the basic nouns and verbs, but in every language.
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
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.
