This paper, a commentary on W.W. Gage's article "Uncommonly Taught Languages" (AL 002 524), attempts to stress other aspects than those treated by Gage and points out the practical and technical needs of those interested in the field. The author views the goal of the study of uncommonly taught languages at the understanding of other peoples and states that: "Uncommon languages offer the best area for the testing of hypotheses regarding semantic universals and for the development of constructs to handle the bundling of semantic motifs. In these areas lie our hopes for laying the bases for inter-cultural understanding." In considering existing materials for these languages, the author expresses his view that, although individual materials may be inadequate, the totality of materials contain information which could be quite useful if properly utilized, and suggests how the more effective use of materials could be achieved through a centralized self-correcting data bank. Also discussed are difficulties involved in the production of reference grammars and the study of language relationships and language history with regard to the uncommonly taught languages. (FWB)