# List of endeavors with scales of talent?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-endeavors-with-scales-of-talent/610435>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 23, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-endeavors-with-scales-of-talent/610435 "2012-01-23T21:41:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-endeavors-with-scales-of-talent/610435/1 "2012-01-23T21:41:26Z")

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Inspired by this:

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=14695597](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=14695597)

What are some fields where there are at least semiformal scales of talent that have some degree of recognition?

I’m excluding academic degrees (e.g. BA in History vs MA in History vs PhD in History). Also, basic manual trades certifications are probably out of scope (e.g. apprentice, journeyman) because they are well known. I’m interested in the more obscure.

For example (not to restrict the question), I’ve suspected based on my encounters in ordinary life that I have a higher knowledge of English vocabulary than most native speakers. Is there some sort of recognition that I could get as a “Super Speaker”, or something that might arguably benefit me if I decide to change jobs and become a writer?

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**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-endeavors-with-scales-of-talent/610435/2 "2012-01-23T21:43:53Z")

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> [@robert\_columbia](#):
>
> For example (not to restrict the question), I’ve suspected based on my encounters in ordinary life that I have a higher knowledge of English vocabulary than most native speakers.

Shouldn’t you already know the word for this?

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**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-endeavors-with-scales-of-talent/610435/3 "2012-01-24T21:53:11Z")

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Martial arts have various “belts”. Freemasons have “degrees” up to 33. Boy scouts have various titles. Also, religious orders such as druids’ bard, ovate…

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**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-endeavors-with-scales-of-talent/610435/4 "2012-01-24T22:10:46Z")

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Toastmasters International [ranks](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toastmasters_International#Educational_program) their members by their communication and leadership skills.

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**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-endeavors-with-scales-of-talent/610435/5 "2012-01-24T22:47:55Z")

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> [@Rhythmdvl](#):
>
> Shouldn’t you already know the word for this?

😃