According to linguist Stephan Anderson, there are at least 6,909 distinct languages, but that number is very subjective (Anderson, 1). Each of these languages represents part of what it means to be human and exemplifies the diversity that makes our world so pungent. Human beings have a deep desire to communicate with each other. We want to know everything about every thing. Including the cultures that compose our world. In this case, however, doesn't language become a barrier? 6,909 languages mean an exponential number of translations. So much can be lost in translation. Subtle nuances can carry a lot of weight in communication.
     Ariane Koek believes that "arts and science are similar in that they are expressions of what it is to be human in this world" (Cern: Where Art & Science Collide). The World Pigeon Project is an attempt to remedy the separation among cultures and peoples through the intersection of art and science. Language is a means through which we express our humanity. It is the meeting place of art and scientists. This project strives to " Bridge our divide"(Lehrer, 2) not only between arts and science, but also between cultures.
     The linguistics term pidgin is " a simplified language that develops as a means of communication between two or more groups that do not have a language in common" ( Wikipedia ). What would happen if there was a pidgin language that encapsulated each language group in the world? The Pigeon Project is an attempt to create one universal language that is built from careful observation of each unique language on planet Earth. Lehrer says, " Before you break something apart, it helps to know how it hangs together" (4). Languages are already broken apart. They originated in one form or another and diverged and grown over time. But linguistic researchers look to find their common roots and see how they evolved and why certain language rules are present. Our project is creating a way for all these parts to hang together, to see what we can understand from it.
     By creating a database of every word in every language and dialect we can form a base data set that would allow linguists to dissect the roots and rules of different languages. These rules would be combined to develop the world pidgin.
     Using a translation application for electronic devices, people all over the world would be able to experience what a universal language would be like. We hope that this research and performance based project will help people to see the beauty behind a universal language that can connect all people. We chose this genre because performance methods are " useful to understand the own theoretical models or observed occurrence in a deeper or different way" (Diebner, 24). The World Pigeon Project is an opportunity for an audience to experience this multi-cultural language.
     Through this interactive project, we hope to show that the human race is not divided by language barriers. A " universal language" could lead to better communication and understanding of cultures. Maybe even world peace? Concurrently, however, this " universal language" is treacherous because it would eradicate the diversity that is so important to the world. We want people to question the idea of a world-wide pidgin and how it would affect the individual as well as the world.