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[Vector]

But incredibly difficult for native citizens to cope with and to reach cross-cultural resolutions in certain areas, seeing as language classes aren't mandatory or even necessarily the status quo.

What's this?  We might have to learn some language other than English?

Shame and perfidy!

[Ibid Straydrink]

But incredibly difficult for native citizens to cope with and to reach cross-cultural resolutions in certain areas, seeing as language classes aren't mandatory or even necessarily the status quo.

What's this?  We might have to learn some language other than English?

Shame and perfidy!

Not shame or perfidy, just a considerable perturbation for the ones who yearn for less complicated, socially demanding living conditions.


American gov't is society founded on the principles of individual rights and freedoms, not in accordance to the needs of society as a whole; whatever comes about has to work around this principles to be legitimate.

/semi-relevant yankee-rant

[Retro]

American gov't is society founded on the principles of individual rights and freedoms, not in accordance to the needs of society as a whole; whatever comes about has to work around this principles to be legitimate.

I feel like I'm misunderstanding you, and sorry about that (although I do think your posts are a little confusingly phrased), but... are you saying that having to occasionally deal with people who speak a language which you don't is a breach of your rights? Because if so, I'm kind of taking a "deal w/" attitude towards that. The world is full of different languages; be happy that your dominant language is so popular.

[doomchild]

It's my right to speak English.  It's Chirac's right to speak French.  If or when I learn it, it'll be my right to speak Russian.  However, if I walk into a McDonald's in northern Alabama and try to order food, they'll perfectly within their rights to deny me service until they understand what the hell I want.  There's no argument in the philosophy of natural rights that allows for the forcing of a lifestyle choice (and language is a choice) on others.

[Darvi]

That's true. But you'd still be pissed 'cuz you wouldn't get a Big mac. So a global language would be beneficial if it's easy to learn and understand.

[Ochita]

That's true. But you'd still be pissed 'cuz you wouldn't get a Big mac. So a global language would be beneficial if it's easy to learn and understand.

Ahahahahahahahahaha. Sorry, but that isn't going to happen. Sorry.

[Retro]

I think forcing everyone to speak the same language, efficient as it might be, would take a lot of the beauty out of the world. Plus there'd be all this huff and puff about which should be dominant. It'd probably be easiest to solve by having a lot of linguists who speak a plethora of languages just write an entirely new one with a brand new alphabet not derivative of anything else (if that's possible) and force everyone to learn that, to be on equal footing. Probably by teaching it in schools worldwide and just waiting for generations to grow up and this new language to slowly and naturally grow dominant.

[Simmura McCrea]

Esperanto was designed as a European language, using features from all of the westen European languages, intended to be as easy as possible to learn. I've no idea if it worked, since no-one speaks it.

[G-Flex]

On a sidenote, I like the assumption that this would actually be the "world's first superstate". As if no other unification of nations has happened, forceful or not. Hell, did they forget the USSR? Or, I don't know, China as we know it?

I think forcing everyone to speak the same language, efficient as it might be

Of course, the chance that it would actually be efficient, or even feasible, is slim to nil.

would take a lot of the beauty out of the world. Plus there'd be all this huff and puff about which should be dominant. It'd probably be easiest to solve by having a lot of linguists who speak a plethora of languages just write an entirely new one with a brand new alphabet not derivative of anything else (if that's possible) and force everyone to learn that, to be on equal footing. Probably by teaching it in schools worldwide and just waiting for generations to grow up and this new language to slowly and naturally grow dominant.

Problem: The reason languages evolve differently is because different cultures are, well, different, and as such have different communicative needs. You can't force disparate cultures to speak exactly the same language and none of their own; it just doesn't work.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Languages come and go with the times. I imagine that we would be far better off perfecting instantanious electronic translators, and just letting the languages live and die as they will.

[Darvi]

That's true. But you'd still be pissed 'cuz you wouldn't get a Big mac. So a global language would be beneficial if it's easy to learn and understand.

Ahahahahahahahahaha. Sorry, but that isn't going to happen. Sorry.

I know. Which is kinda sad, because the communications barrier is my nemesis.

[Scood]

guys....why cant we all just use Google translate and get along with each other.
universal translators are like 5 years away.

[Darvi]

why cant we all just use Google translate

Since it does not work and available offline, but how it looks.

[Leafsnail]

The problem is, these universal translators will still get things wrong.

I guess there is a case for having one simplified language for everyone to learn, which you can then use to speak to someone who doesn't speak your native tongue.  That is kindof happening with English, though.

[Scood]

they get more accurate and easier to access every year. i think theres a phone application in the works that translates spoken language in real time. (by google)