We cannot even have meaningful conversations with our closest genetic relatives, the chimps. We studied the songs of the whales for decades and haven’t deciphered a single word (AFAIK). There is a lot of work to do, before we can even dream of talking to someone from outer space.
We have interpreted some stuff in broad strokes at least. Arguably whales and chimps also aren’t trying to help our studies much and may not have the same capability of communication depth we take for granted. But a picture dictionary along with audio/visual stuff made by a friendly civilization would certainly be possible and speed things up.
The harder part for an alien would presumably be the multiple different languages from a single planet…would be very interesting if alien life also had that.
If they’re even remotely like us, then they’ll have the same sort of story, which will entail multiple languages.
That is: To assume that a sapient, language-capable genus evolves in one place, then spreads across a planet from there.
Even if they all speak the same language when they begin the spread, the same sorts of factors will encourage semantic drift in different ways in different places, and over enough time, multiple languages are all-but inevitable.
It depends a lot on the planet geography and other factors. A global world order or empire is theoretically possible that could result in a majority using a single language. Think if the entire landmass is Asia and Ghengis khan lives a few years longer. There might still be other languages but the majority will have to have some way to communicate with each other especially with any travel based technology similar to ours.
Bloody speed of light is just so slow…
We cannot even have meaningful conversations with our closest genetic relatives, the chimps. We studied the songs of the whales for decades and haven’t deciphered a single word (AFAIK). There is a lot of work to do, before we can even dream of talking to someone from outer space.
We have interpreted some stuff in broad strokes at least. Arguably whales and chimps also aren’t trying to help our studies much and may not have the same capability of communication depth we take for granted. But a picture dictionary along with audio/visual stuff made by a friendly civilization would certainly be possible and speed things up.
The harder part for an alien would presumably be the multiple different languages from a single planet…would be very interesting if alien life also had that.
If ever they use audio to communicate…
If they’re even remotely like us, then they’ll have the same sort of story, which will entail multiple languages.
That is: To assume that a sapient, language-capable genus evolves in one place, then spreads across a planet from there.
Even if they all speak the same language when they begin the spread, the same sorts of factors will encourage semantic drift in different ways in different places, and over enough time, multiple languages are all-but inevitable.
It depends a lot on the planet geography and other factors. A global world order or empire is theoretically possible that could result in a majority using a single language. Think if the entire landmass is Asia and Ghengis khan lives a few years longer. There might still be other languages but the majority will have to have some way to communicate with each other especially with any travel based technology similar to ours.