Post originally by Phil Allen at 2003-10-22 12:02:39
Converted from Phorums BB System

Or you could take it even further (a la Spycraft) in settings where characters typically know lots of languages, like spy settings or Indiana Jones:

For each die step, you're fluent in an additional language. When posed with a situation where you need to communicate in a new language, make your Knowledge: Language roll. On a success, you speak the language (though not fluently)...enough to have a basic conversation. On a raise, you speak the language fluently (and add it to your list of fluent languages). On a failure, you don't speak the language. Only roll for each language once.

In Indiana Jones type settings, you could even have this extend to ancient languages ("Ah, this is a Sumerian text!"), but it'll require a raise on your Languages roll for basic knowledge, two raises for fluency.