Well, the cornerstone of civilization isn't language, it's science.
Read more Ian Donnelly QuotesFrom: Arrival
But now I'm not so sure I believe in beginnings and endings. There are days that define your story beyond your life. Like the day they arrived.
And "purpose" requires an understanding of intent. We need to find out, do they make conscious choices or is their motivation so instinctive that they don't understand a "why" question at all. And-And biggest of all, we need to have enough vocabulary with them that we understand their answer.
And remember what happened to the Aborigines. A more advanced race nearly wiped 'em out.