[Raziel_]

Also, I can think of a single place where it's actually required. There's a skill-teleporter that requires GM spirit speak and is part of a quest area.

Aside from that, it's just to hear ghosts or if you're GM, other people can hear you without having to use spirit speak, as Raziel said.

I kindof agree with not having to use the skill, though. It seems like if you know the language, it should just be a passive skill. Though as someone who has studied other languages, if someone says something to me in a language that I know, but I'm not expecting it, I have to switch my brain over to that language and ask them to repeat what they said.

Buy a multi core brain and its done ;D