Okay, so I can't remember if I houseruled this or read it in the book.

When creating a character, such as a Nobleborn Adept, if both the Homeworld and the Career indicate that the character begins with Speak Language (Low Gothic) does it simply count as Speak Language (Low Gothic)? Or does the second 'learning' of the skill count as Skill Mastery, thereby granting a +10?

I apologize if this has been querried before.

When training in a particular skill (rather than the ability to treat it like a Basic skill) is offered or outright given by two different sources then, as far as I can tell, they do count towards mastery as outlined in the core book (p. 96). So while he options in the core book, and things like the Forge World origin only let you roll against some Advanced skills without training, and your career only completes your education, Noble and Schola give you full training, so the additional training you receive from your career grants you mastery (and whenever the +10 becomes available, it's the equivalent of the +20 purchase).

No, you do not get the +10 to a skill unless the entry in the book specifically lists it as +10. Likewise, you only get the +20 when the entry is specifically labelled as +20.

Skill Mastery is a reflection of high levels of training and experience, and you have to buy such advances with XP points when they are available in your career advances. They should never be available at basic character generation.

No, you do not get the +10 to a skill unless the entry in the book specifically lists it as +10. Likewise, you only get the +20 when the entry is specifically labelled as +20.

Precisely. As long as there is no +10 listed, there is no +10.

Also, the IH homeworlds are flawed in this regard: Usually, homeworlds give out only a special language like Hiver or High Gothic - Low Gothic is intrinsic to every career. I expect the Errata to remove them.

We play that it grants +10. Seems fairer. Plus, the +10 is soon superceded when characters gain ranks.

Well with regard to weapon skills there is no advanced form of the skill. Though I admit a Basic training (SP) +10 would be cool, it does not exist.

So I would not consider comparing the 2 types of skills.

As to weather I would give the +10, yes I would. However I would not then replace the +10 available in later character career pathes with +20 for them. If they wanted to get +20 then they would have to wait for it to pop up in their career advancement to get it.

In short the right combination of career and homeworld could indeed give a leg up in certain skills, though it does not affect the maximum knowable.

If you select the right combinations you end up more specialized but lack the extra skills you would have if you chose differently.

That having been said I imagine the official response (if there ever is one) will be to say you get nothing for it. (much like the absurdity of armor not stacking)

The main issue with having both basic skills count towards skill mastery is that it creates a pretty hard lined min-max scenario. This is either benign, encouraged or blasphemed depending on the group you are in.

Most game publishers try to steer clear of such things being wired into the rules so I'd have to agree that the way the game is published you wouldn't get advanced training simply for having a skill listed as basic twice. Of course nothing is stopping you from house ruling it .