Compression isn't the right way to think about it, I think. To compress, we first have to decide what's meaningful. The reason languages are so precious, is th

Compression isn't the right way to think about it, I think. To compress, we first have to decide what's meaningful. The reason languages are so precious, is that it's deeply imprinted in them much of what their speakers considered valuable. That can give us a new perspective on and deeper understanding of the things we find valuable.