Would you like to learn every language in the world?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the desire and feasibility of learning every language in the world. Participants explore personal interests in specific languages, the challenges of language learning, and the implications of multilingualism.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a desire to learn multiple languages, citing interests in historical languages like Hebrew, Arabic, Hindi, and Chinese.
  • Others suggest that learning every language may be impractical due to the existence of numerous dialects and the time required for mastery.
  • A few participants humorously mention their limited language skills, with one noting they only know a little Greek.
  • Some express a preference for a universal language instead of learning many, while others highlight the joy of communicating with diverse people through language.
  • One participant mentions the idea of magically knowing every language rather than learning them, reflecting on the difficulty of mastering even their native language.
  • There are references to specific languages like Votic and Livonian, discussing their dwindling number of speakers and cultural significance.
  • Several participants share personal anecdotes about language learning and preferences, including a desire to learn ancient languages and languages that sound appealing to them.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the desirability or practicality of learning every language. Multiple competing views are presented, with some advocating for the effort while others express skepticism about the feasibility.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the challenges of learning languages, including time constraints and the complexity of dialects, which may affect their perspectives on language acquisition.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in linguistics, language learning, cultural studies, or those contemplating the implications of multilingualism may find this discussion engaging.

Dremmer
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Would you like to learn every language in the world?
 
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I've considered learning several, but every might be a bit much, specially since there are several dialects that are specific to a small group of people.

I have an interest in history, so I've thought about learning languages such as Hebrew, Arabic, Hindi, or Chinese...
 
Yes, every one, all i have is a little Greek.
 
No, I'd rather we all put together one language.
 
Dremmer said:
Would you like to learn every language in the world?
Yes. It'll take a while though.
 
Would you like to learn every language in the world?
Yes. but I won't have the time/memory to do so. I'd learn/do/write something good to share and rely on translators.
 
wolram said:
Yes, every one, all i have is a little Greek.
I understand every language in the world except Greek.
 
mayhaps find a babel fish.
 
Jimmy Snyder said:
I understand every language in the world except Greek.
It looks Greek to me. :-p
 
  • #10
YES! I'd love to know every language in the world. It would be so great to be able to communicate to so many people!
 
  • #11
Dremmer said:
Would you like to learn every language in the world?
Yes - if I had the time and capacity, and I'd like to learn the ancient ones as well.
 
  • #12
I'm fluent in JavaScript as well as Klingon. - Weird Al

:biggrin:
 
  • #13
If you learn Votic, you can give the 20-odd remaining native speakers someone new to talk to.

But it's too late for Livonian. The last native speaker died in 2009.

The Estonian composer Veljo Tormis wrote a cycle of choral songs using various Balto-Finnic languages: Livonian, Votic, Izhorian, Ingrian, Vepsian and Karelian, based on research including interviews with surviving native speakers. Tormis wrote in the booklet accompanying a 2-CD set (Forgotten Peoples) in 1992, "I still get a Christmas card every year in Livonian, but for how much longer?"
 
Last edited:
  • #15
i would not like to learn every language. i would like to magically know every language, but frankly I'm having a hard enough time learning biological terms.
 
  • #16
Jimmy Snyder said:
I understand every language in the world except Greek.
See? It's all Greek to me, which is why I have problems with non-Maine English.
 
  • #17
Proton Soup said:
i would not like to learn every language. i would like to magically know every language, but frankly I'm having a hard enough time learning biological terms.
You're having trouble learning your native language. :-p
 
  • #18
If I were to be paralyzed, I suppose I would spend time learning more languages, but I can't imagine the time input required to learn every language, sort of like not being able to fathom the mass of a galaxy.

First two on my list (after paralysis): Scots Gaelic and Japanese. No reason other than I like the way they sound (I love Kurosawa films).
 
  • #19
FtlIsAwesome said:
You're having trouble learning your native language. :-p

if only my "native" language were but one
 
  • #22
myth_kill said:
how many languages do u know ?

0.50 of the english language

0.05 of the mathematical language

so not even one.
 
  • #23
:lol:
 

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