Linguists have come up with an interesting hypothesis.
American scientists believe that a child can best decipher and master the language of aliens.
Sheri Wells-Jensen, professor of linguistics at Bowling Green University, has a long history of xenolinguistics - the study of alien languages. She is not embarrassed by the fact that such languages are not available. “This is not a problem … We must be ready. The first contact may occur tomorrow. We don't know that,”she told Slate.
If earthlings encounter aliens, then the most famous philologists will probably be attracted to decipher their language. However, Wells-Jensen believes that this should not be done. It will be much more effective to reach out to the fastest learning people on our planet - children under seven years old, the linguist believes.
In reality, people do not know what the language of unknown aliens will be. Perhaps they will communicate not using sounds, but magnetic or chemical fluctuations. Or, for example, the frequency of sounds emitted by aliens will be too high or low. “We might be able to learn humanoid language or fluffy bunny language, but we’re unlikely to master the language of superintelligent sugar droplets,” acknowledges Wells-Jensen.
Valentina MAYOROVA
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