The real question is whether there are any characters with sufficient emotional cruelty to knock Sawyer out of his high castle.

I suspect that both Jin and Locke possess it, but not the motivation or ability to use it on Sawyer.

People like Sawyer are the reason F, C, M exists. In the imaginary wonderland that is FCM, you can use Sawyer like a Kleenex and then discard him without repercussions.

I suspect that both Jin and Locke possess it

Oooh. Jin v. Sawyer. Oooh.

People like Sawyer are the reason F, C, M exists.

Yes indeedy. He's like deep fried hot peppers stuffed with cheese and bacon, dipped in ranch dressing. You know it's bad for you when you order it. You know it's bad for you when you're eating it. You feel awful when you're done.

But mmmmmmmmmm, tasty!

F, C, P (love this addition), M?

F-Sawyer, C-Boone, P-Charlie, P-Hurley, M-Sayid

Jin v. Sawyer. Oooh.

or, you know, Jin/Sawyer

Actually, I am thinking, if it's been a month, don't you think that Jin & Sun would have picked up some English? I mean, being exposed to it daily and being required to interact with English-only speakers to survive. Pantomime is all well and good, but it's the nature of the human brain to pick up language.

I mean, the sum total of my exposure to Mandarin Chinese is a handful of subtitled movies, but even so I've figured out a word or two. Yes, Thank you, that kind of thing.

Not to mention, why isn't anybody actively trying to teach them English? I mean, just to pass the time, aside from the part where each of them has something to contribute and a skill others could learn. I am thinking, the Sun Speaks English secret realistically needs to have a very short half-life.

being required to interact with English-only speakers

I wonder how much they are required. They can get their own food and water, after all.

But I've known people born and raised in, say, Montreal who couldn't tell you what the French for "bus" is. Just watching consulate staff indicates picking language up isn't that automatic, especially if you're insular by nature, which Jin certainly is.

Well, we haven't seen Jin enough to know if he's picking anything up. I suppose Sun could use him as a guide and fake staying just slightly more proficient at the language than he as time goes on.

I think Jin hasn't picked up English because he doesn't want to, and Sun hasn't pretended to learn it because she knows Jin wouldn't want her to. Similarly, if they don't let anyone try to teach them, attempts to do so will obviously be short-lived. Self-imposed isolation can be powerful.

Jin probably recognises "yes" and "no" and "you stupid sexist motherfucker."

Though it's likely he only translates the first two correctly.