Language and Skill Limits?

[Jackkel Dragon]

Since each character can only learn up to five languages, I have a few questions about languages and skill books:

- If a character reaches the language limit, is there any way to "forget" a language? Or is it possible to lock yourself out of maximizing the potential of a character and/or lock yourself out of being able to translate library books?
- Is there a list (or at least a simple breakdown) of the available skill books by skill and language? Depending on the answer to the above question, I feel like it may almost be essential to know in advance to avoid permanently crippling the usefulness of some characters.
- Is there any way to translate books if there are no characters left who can learn the required languages/skills? Or is it not really possible to find every discovery in one playthrough anyway?

Basically, after learning about some of the limits to how languages and skills are learned, I've become reluctant to use any skill points, skill books, or language books until I know exactly what is needed. There are some discoveries that seem like they could be made permanently unavailable unless the player uses a guide, and I already had to cruise around looking for skill-boosting equipment just to progress a story-required translation. I can get why the game is designed around specializing characters rather than maxing all of their stats, but I don't like the idea of permanently damaging my ability to access content because I was learning how the systems work.

[CluelessWonder8]

Don't forget you can hire sailors in taverns.
Hired sailors' languages count towards translations, as well.

I've hired them to read Hebrew, for example.

[Jackkel Dragon]

I keep forgetting about them, since they have a salary to pay and I'm trying to be careful with money. I may need to look into making more use of them once I am more confident with funding. Is it possible to fire seafarers that are no longer needed? (Also, I assume they know the language of their starting port?)

[CluelessWonder8]

Of course you can fire them, whenever you are in a tavern (anywhere).

The listed salary is paid upfront when you hire, and then again at the end of each month.
Well, I'm not entirely sure on the 1st month, since you paid them upfront when hiring them. I haven't paid that much attention.

I believe you can hire up to 9 at a time. Usually, they know their starting port language... I say usually, since I think Basrah is a "Persian" port, and their library has Persian books, but I don't remember their coffee house having anyone who could speak Persian...

Their salaries range from 1k to 5k per month. Those with more languages known are more expensive. As long as you don't hire too many Translators (come with 5 languages), it should be fine. Money is surprisingly easy to make, as long as you trade regularly with a full fleet.