[wageslave99]

I've always thought about having simple dialects of languages: limited vocabulary, only three tenses, no declinations (in the languages they have, i.e. German) and only regular verbs (in the languages they have, i.e. Spanish). Would it be possible?

[bux93]

The EU has a framework, CEFR, that describes language levels of proficiency, starting at A1, and ending in C2. A1 requires you to be able to understand simple phrases about everyday, concrete topics. For example, suggest activities based on the weather forecast. C2 is essentially fluency.

This outdated overview (2009) shows that most European countries only require A1/A2 for residency, and for citizenship B1 or B2 at most. https://rm.coe.int/16802fc1d9

[silverpepsi]

You're writing this tongue in cheek or really not knowing?

That's exactly what Indonesian is , a simplified standardized language to allow hundreds of different ethnicities with their own languages to easily communicate.

There are tons more but I guess Indonesian is the world's best example because it is the language of one the most populated island on earth and one of the most populus nations

And there's no need for three tenses, neither Chinese nor Indonesian have tenses.

[wageslave99]

I mean European languages, in the context of internal migration inside EU.

I don't know anything about Indonesian so, it's nice to know my idea is not a crazy one.

If Chinese and Indonesian do not have tenses, how they communicate when the action happens?

[silverpepsi]

Just put a time adverbial like last year today tomorrow later "in a bit".

:)

[lproven]

This is an excellent idea, and goes beyond my own speculations in this area. I like it a lot.

[eastbound]

Isn’t English this language? The past exists but the future barely doesn’t, there are no declinations, every noun can also be a verb. However, you have to learn every combination of “t”, “ght”, “i”, “ou” mixed up together.

[wageslave99]

English has its own issues. It is not phonetic and there is no official pronunciation. It also has inconsistencies like using auxiliar verbs to negate (I do not think this vs I think not this).

However, maybe a standardised pronunciation and the removal of some issues could make Neo-English a good and interesting language.

[Dalewyn]

You've more or less described how and why English became the lingua franca of the modern era. English can be used for basic communication satisfactorily with only a passing understanding of the language.

[wageslave99]

English has many issues (non-phonetic, auxiliar verbs, big lexicon, etc.) I was aiming for a kind of artificial language with a natural language foundations.

[avgcorrection]

I guess these become pidgins when they arise organically. Not a native language for anyone but a bridge language.