Haneda International Airport, International Terminal, next to the coffee shop.

Shen Yuan Zun was quite embarrassed to hand a cup of macchiato coffee to Xiang Shan: "You come here, I can only invite you to a cup of coffee." Double the milk foam, double the syrup - I think you don't like bitterness, do you? ”

"It's not a rare trip. In the last few years, I've been running all over the world, and you don't have to act like a host, maybe I'm more familiar with the international terminal of Haneda Airport than you are. Xiang Shan bit the straw and mouthed at the mother and daughter Nunu of Shenyuan not far away: "It's over there, is it okay?" ”

"It's just a child's trouble." Kamihara said this, but the expression on his face was not relaxed at all.

After leaving the Rama Project, Kamihara returned to the Institute of World Minority Languages (SIL). It's just that the timing of his return was unfortunate and he didn't catch up with the African fieldwork organized by SIL. In addition, he had been working in the Rama project for a few years, so the institute gave him some free time.

After gaining relative freedom, Kamihara returned to his hometown, a small town in Fukuoka. There, he collated the inspirations he had gained over the years brainstorming with the world's leading linguists. [These contents are also work, so strictly speaking, this is not a holiday]

During this time, Kamihara Zun got married.

And at that time, Xiangshan, who was still tinkering with the alien spacecraft for the Rama project, heard that Kamihara Zun met with a high school classmate under the arrangement of his parents, and then fell in love at first sight. The place where Mrs. Kamihara lived was also two blocks away from his parents' house.

Within a few years, Kamihara even had a child.

It's just that it wasn't until the girl was more than four years old [that is, in 2035] that Xiang Shan had time to visit this old friend.

"I do have to criticize you, Ah Zun." Xiang Shan took a sip of coffee and said, "The origin of mankind is very important, and the future of mankind is also very important—your daughter is a part of the 'future of mankind'." You're her father, and only you can take on that responsibility. ”

Kamihara Zun took a sip of black coffee: "It's just that my job is not 'anyone can bear'. There will never be enough researchers willing to go to Africa to do fieldwork. And Africa...... This place has been exploited by the world. It's in crisis all the time. The speed at which languages are studied and organized can never keep up with the speed at which languages are dying out. ”

"That's just as well." Xiang Shan nodded: "It's a great thing." But you don't just have to say it to me, you have to tell the little girl. If she could make sense, I think she would be proud of her father. ”

The look in the corners of Shen Yuanzun's eyes dimmed suddenly: "This." I've told her many times, though. However, children, parents are the most important. Forcing her to understand 'all of humanity' is also a bit cruel to her. And my wife. I feel sorry for her too. ”

Xiang Shan shook his head: "I see that you have a good relationship." ”

Kamihara Zun showed a hint of a smile: "Hmm." Maybe it's because I've learned too much of the original language. When Miku saw me, she thought I was ...... 'straightforward not like a Japanese'. She says she loves it. Those words, which lacked advanced rhetoric, but were simple and straightforward, seemed to have taken root in my soul. She also loved what I did. She always kept a smile and sent me on the plane. I'm also very proud of my wife. ”

Xiang Shan did not speak. It's not that he doesn't want to speak, but he's looking for an opportunity to speak.

And Shen Yuan Zun opened the conversation. He seemed tempted to complain about the current situation.

He did feel sorry for his wife. Fourteen years of marriage, he spent three quarters in Africa for each of the 12 years except for the first two years. And a large part of the rest of the time is spent at SIL.

Before Yan Ye went to elementary school, it was okay, and Mrs. Kamihara could still take her daughter to live in the United States. It's just that Kamihara's parents want their granddaughter to still be able to speak Japanese as her mother tongue, so Yan Ye stayed in elementary school in Japan.

When talking about this, Xiang Shan's eyes lit up, and he took out a form from the briefcase he was carrying: "By the way, Ah Zun, take a look at this thing." Don't worry, I'm sure I won't fool you. ”

"'Certificate of Genetic Relevance of Second Language Acquisition' Volunteer Registration Form?" Shen Yuan Zun was a little puzzled: "Second language acquisition...... Heredity...... This one? Yes! It's the one! ”

A topic he had talked about many years ago while chatting with Yagmoth and Ingrid.

There is a huge difference in human "second language acquisition" ability. Some people will never be able to use a second language to the same level as their mother tongue in their lifetime, while others can naturally get to this point – a leader like Ingrid can learn a new language in just two weeks.

"Xiao Yanye, I remember that I also know English and Japanese, two completely different languages, right?" Xiang Shan said: "But she grew up in a bilingual environment from the beginning...... I don't know if it's a second language acquisition. But as long as she learns another language and uses it with ease, that's for sure! You're still father and daughter, so it's a good fit for a project like this. ”

Shen Yuan Zun showed a nostalgic expression: "Back then, I thought that this project would not be possible in a hundred years. ”

"The reality is, we have money now. After Yog's gamble is successful, as long as we prove that 'this direction may be closely related to human progress', a large number of organizations or rich people will send us money! Xiang Shan said with a smile: "According to Yingjia, the study of second language acquisition is actually the study of the underlying mechanism of language. If you want the mind in your brain to be fed directly into a computer, you have to understand the language function of your brain. ”

"Now all the major powers are actively cooperating. Many scholars who use a second language as a native language, as well as their children who have studied abroad, are the subjects we strive for. You are fluent in dozens of African languages, so you are naturally an important observer. ”

Kamihara said cheerfully, "If you have the equipment to store blood samples, I can draw a tube of blood for you right now." But the words are ...... I need to discuss it with my wife. ”

He has full trust in Yagmow's research institute and trusts that the privacy of his genetic information will not be used elsewhere.

"Now, how can this be? I came to see it on an impromptu basis. Xiang Shan smiled: "I have time to take my family to the Republic for a trip, and I donated genetic samples by the way." ”

Kamihara Zun smiled: "It's really good to be rich." When Jorge brought up this topic, Inga and I were crying poorly. Now you can start such a wayward project...... That's great. ”

Xiang Shan nodded: "Yes, yes, I have plenty of funds here, and the project is free - man, look, do you want to come here to bring a project too?" ”

Kamihara Zun was stunned for a moment and smiled: "I said, you are already a rich man who can be on the "Asahi Shimbun", how can you not even afford to sit on a special plane." You're here to block me. ”

"There really isn't a special plane." Xiang Shan shrugged: "After all, it is the institution that is rich, not me." I was accompanied by an assistant and a bodyguard. The assistant comrade helped me go through the formalities, and Mr. bodyguard, if you look outside, you should be able to see a man wearing a black hat. I did come to the scene when I saw the information from SIL. I think it's more solemn to say something in person. ”

Kamihara nodded: "That's good." It's pretty good, too. ”

"For our project, we need someone who understands the 'original appearance' of language. Yingjia said, this person is none other than you. Xiang Shan said: "You are familiar with many languages. These languages are not dressed up in rhetoric, history, or religion. Yingjia feels that in the depths of your mind, there is definitely a unique understanding of language. With you on board, we may really be able to get a brain-computer interface in our lifetime. ”

Kamihara Zun bowed his head: "This, please let me think about it." ”

"Of course, you don't have to say no now......"

"I'd better refuse."

"Ah......" Xiang Shan was stunned: "In terms of treatment." ”

Kamihara Zun lowered his head: "It's not a matter of treatment. Not at all. I'm glad you think about me, and for my daughter. I'm really happy. ”

"So what's the problem?"

Kamihara asked rhetorically, "I heard that you managed to get the United States to sanction a mining company by executive order in order to protect a scaly-horned gastropod snail?" ”

Xiang Shan shook his head: "I just explained the potential value of those scaly gastropod snails very reasonably, and the potential value of submarine crater mining, and then compared them. That's all. And there is also the banner of 'Ogon' that can be pulled. Anyone in that position can do this kind of thing. ”

"I've heard that Jorge's ex-wife campaigned in the United States for the right to survive those hydrothermal creatures. But almost nothing came of it. Anyway, it's pretty powerful. Kamihara Zun smiled and shook his head: "I think my mood now is the same as when she was back." But it's too hard to slow down the demise of African languages. ”

"While I'm sleeping, an old man in Africa may have died. And when this old man died, he also took with him a word left over thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago. The children and grandchildren of the old man have become accustomed to expressing the meaning of this ancient word in English, French or other Indo-European languages – and the thought of this makes me feel like a biologist who has watched mining companies destroy the habitat of rare species and obliterate evidence of evolution for small profits. ”

"You could say that if I didn't study the ancient African languages, there would be others studying them. But ......" Kamihara Zun sighed: "Language is not a constant objective existence, it only exists between subjects. It's going to be less and less. It's not a 'there's always a chance to study it later'. This is a project that 'if you don't seize the time to rescue now, you won't have a chance in the future'. ”

"If you hadn't stopped that mining company, I'm afraid Yog wouldn't have had a chance to study those little snails."