#dyk i almost did linguistics at uni

[pigeonwhumps]

Questions

BBU Community Days: Day 2

@bbu-on-the-side

So one aspect about the BBU I've thought about a bit but would love some other opinions on is second languages. Specifically for pets.

So like, would they be conditioned into forgetting they can speak it, somehow? Certainly reading/writing it I imagine working the same way conditioning does to stop them reading/writing their first language, but what about speaking? What if, as in my OC Lea's case, the handlers don't know they speak another language? Do they forget they can, but are still able to? Alternatively, do they forget the language entirely, or do they know they can speak it? Or do WRU (or other companies) use those pets, train pets that offer translation services?

I think they'd want to replace people sign languages with a simpler sign language designed for pets, as well as definitely keeping lip-reading to make things easier, but for other languages... how would it work? I mean, I can't imagine a lot of owners liking their pet speaking a language they can't, right? What if their pet insults them *gasp*? Can't have the... uh... good name of WRU being damaged, now, can we?

So, yeah. Second languages! Languages in general! How would they work for pets?