The author discusses the potential benefits of a common language, suggesting that it could facilitate communication, but also notes the reduced opportunities for humor that would result. In exploring this theme, he cites an article by Kenneth Turan in Gentleman's Quarterly, which highlights amusing translation errors found in the dubbing and subtitling of American films for European audiences.

For instance, a scene featuring a policeman instructing a driver to pull over is poorly translated into Italian as a request for a sweater. In another instance, a character inquiring about bringing a date to a funeral is incorrectly translated in Spanish as bringing a fig instead. These examples demonstrate how language barriers can lead to comical misunderstandings, making the case for preserving linguistic diversity for the sake of amusement.