Concept in Definition ABC

In the world there are thousands of languages ​​and dialects. This reality makes it difficult to communication, especially at the international level. At the end of the 19th century, a Polish ophthalmologist named Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof had a brilliant idea to improve communication between the inhabitants of the planet: the creation of a universal language. This language was initially called Linguo Internacio, but in a short time it was known as Esperanto.

Esperanto was not intended or intended to replace existing languages, as its purpose is to provide a complementary vehicle to facilitate understanding at the supranational level.

The constitutive document of this language is the Declaration of Boulogne, which was published in 1905. Several sections appear in its content: the purpose of this language auxiliary, his grammar and a specific dictionary.

Esperanto is not only a language, but it is accompanied by some ideals. Thus, it is intended to create a neutral language that favors understanding between people who speak different languages. On the other hand, the

movement Esperanto emphasizes one circumstance: the new language does not have any dominating intention nor does it want to become a tool of power. As specified in the Boulogne Declaration, Esperanto is heritage of humanity.

Observing details

- The draft Zamenhof's initial training had the collaboration of his wife and his friends from school. However, the first sketches of the project were burned by his father while he was away from his house beginning his medical studies.

- The initiative of a universal language was not the only one that its creator had, since Zamenhof also worked on two projects with an international focus: a single currency for the whole world and a new religion universal.

- Among its main features, one stands out: you can learn very quickly (it is estimated that with 150 hours of study it is possible to speak it normally).

- Two of the first intellectuals who supported the new language project were the Russian writer Leon Tolstoy and the French writer Jules Verne.

- From 1910 on, Esperanto spread throughout the world (in France it was recommended to use it for publications of a scientist, in countries such as China or Bulgaria they began to study in schools, the educational authorities of Brazil promoted their use in the correspondence and the League of Nations proposed that Esperanto be supported as an auxiliary language).

- With the coming to power of the Nazis in Germany the use of this language was prohibited.

- In 1966 a new project was launched in Argentina: a passport service so that the Esperantists from all over the world can stay for free in the homes of other users of the new language. Currently this service exists in 89 countries and France is the country with the most registered users (119).

- It is estimated that currently 2 million people are part of the Esperanto community.

- Most linguists consider that this auxiliary language with international projection has not achieved its objective because it is not easy to convince a community to adopt a new language.

Photo Fotolia: Drutska

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