[mcice11]

Language is 3 karma
is the 2nd level (specialist) 5 karma
and the 3rd level (Expert) 5 karma

[Michael Chandra]

I had the same question, don't recall if I ever got an answer, but I'd lean towards 'no it's just 3 karma per level'. In Chargen they note each level is like a knowledge skill. They're also different to normal skills, since for normal skills a Spec is cheaper AND it gives a limited +2, not a global +2.

[Stainless Steel Devil Rat]

although the language on pg. 99 calls them "specialization ranks", it's obvious at face value that they don't mechanically behave like specializations.  Ergo, it's my opinion that there's no reason to presume they cost 5 karma. 

On the other hand, it seems natural to me to rationalize that each "specialization rank" costs the same as buying any other knowledge skill; you're just stacking them into mastering one language rather than buying potentially 3 different languages.