Well, the cornerstone of civilization isn't language, it's science.
Read more Ian Donnelly QuotesFrom: Arrival
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.
Who is this child?
We're so bounded by time, by its order. But now I am not so sure I believe in beginnings and endings.