A Personal Ranking to Different Ways Spec Fic Handle Languages
Everyone speaks "Common", which is the normal, default-language (probably associated with humans), with each other species/race having their own [weird sounding] languages
At best, basic and functional. At worst, speaks to some really euro/Anglo-centric perspectives on how language works. Fine for your personal D&D game, but both unrealistic and uninteresting in terms of worldbuilding. (1/10)
Everyone just speaks the same language but no explanation is given as to why
Again, basic and functional. Makes very little sense unless you're in a very small setting, so you'd think I'd dock that for being unrealistic. But this says 'this story doesn't have the scope to handle translation logistics' and I respect that honesty. 3/10
Earth (or future Earth or AU Earth) where everyone just speaks different real world languages
By default, the most realistic! Perfectly respectable. Can be very easily used to explore the real-life politics of language. But by dint of being realistic, also a little boring, though it's ultimately all in execution. (5/5, +/- 2 depending)
Scientifically-created perfect instant universal translator
For when you need your cast of international/intergalactic characters to I appreciate this one for giving me a willing suspension of belief for how all these characters can understand each other. However, introduces a new belief to suspend because i Do Not Believe we could invent this under real world physics. I find this fun but think writers could get weirder about this one. (6/10)
Magically-or-psychically-powered (etc) perfect instant universal translator
The last one, but make it magic. Which sure is just a rebrand in the techno babble but works better for me. Again, I think writers could get weirder (6.5/10)
Characters speak "Common" as a lingua franca, deconstruction remix
Okay, now we're cooking. You're actually exploring what would cause a so-called "common" language means, the history that would cause it to take root, and the interspecies/racial/group politics and tensions that exist. Fun! (7/10)
Look at me, I made a conlang!
Okay, cool, impressive. but like... did you do anything with it? (7.5/10)
I made a conlang (or conlangs PLURAL) and it's relevant to both characters and plot!
Damn, fair enough man. Respect. Tolkien would be proud. however, i personally am jack shit at languages, so if it's relevant enough to the plot I need to understand it, I'll struggle. it's not you, it's me. (8/10)
Characters speak many languages in this setting, which is a major political theme
My personal catnip. It's like speculative linguistics and anthropology and politics and all this bullshit i love. <3 <3 (9/10)
Speculative evolution LANGUAGE EDITION
you made an alien and it's weird and it has a language but it's not like any HUMAN language because the species doesn't have a mouth or it's psychic or it communicates purely through colour. my absolute fave. (10/10)
[disclaimer: this is just my opinion not objective fact. i am not a linguistic i just think this stuff is Neat. i want to hear other peoples' opinions on this too]