Recently, there were comments questioning the equity of using English as an international language. Well of course it's inequitable! English spread 'round the globe because of imperialism, political and economic. But what's the alternative?
These readers favor use of Esperanto, a language constructed by a Polish linguist, L.L. Zamendoff in the 1880's. With a simple grammar and regular verb system, it was designed to be easy to learn. It is estimated that between 100,000 and 2 million people know it, though no country has ever officially adopted it. There are occasional native speakers-- mostly in international families. Materials for learning Esperanto are available online for free. And at a cursory glance, folks, it is MUCH easier than Chinese.
Esperanto's proponents argue that it's more fair to use a "constructed" language like Esperanto than to rely on international English. But while Esperanto is not technically a Romance or Indo-European languages, its system is European in origin; therefore native speakers of Asian, Semitic, and African languages are at a disadvantage.
I'd like to hear what others think about this. My mind is open. I find English hegemony troubling; yet I am not convinced a constructed language can work for the human race in the long run. Check out the Esperanto website and see what you think:
Above: the Esperanto flag
2 comments:
I vote for Esperanto.
I vote as a native English speaker which I think is also relevant.
The use of English is increasing seen as "linguistic imperialism", especially with the growth of Mandarin Chinese.
Another good site is http://www.lernu.net
You asked me in an earlier message about how I use Esperanto. Certainly, I can say that the language has some remarkable practical benefits. Personally, I’ve made friends around the world through Esperanto that I would never have been able to communicate with otherwise. And then there’s the Pasporta Servo, which provides free lodging and local information to Esperanto-speaking travellers in over 90 countries.
In the past year I have had guided tours of Berlin and Milan in the planned language. I have discussed philosophy with a Slovene poet, humour on television with a Bulgarian TV producer. I’ve discussed what life was like in East Berlin before the wall came down, how to cook perfect spaghetti, the advantages and disadvantages of monarchy, and so on.
This summer I'll be going on a family holiday to Brittany - thanks to Esperanto. Life is simply too short to learn every language on the face of the planet.
Best wishes from a rainy north Wales!
Post a Comment