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More Food for Thought: The Auxiliary Language Debate Posted by on Jul 11, 2009 in Esperanto Language

Since it hasn’t stopped raining where I live for the past month or so, I cannot help but be in a mildly pessimistic mood. I’ve taken to examining some of the less sunny arguments against constructed languages, thinking that my present mindset might help me to better understand a position I would not normally support. In my quest I’ve found an interesting one here, that critiques the viability of any constructed auxiliary language.

While I disagree with a few of the author’s points, the article makes for a good read. I’d recommend it, if you’ve ever had a moment where someone questioned why you study Esperanto. If anything, it will equip you with some more counterpoints to raise!

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Comments:

  1. BillChapman:

    Thanks for this. And I hope the sun is shining where you are! Thanks for the link. To some extent, time decides these issues. I don’t think there is an Ido vs Esperanto debate now (referred to in the 1997 article), since Ido seems to be gently fading away.

    The biggest argument for Esperanto, in my view, is not that it as an accusatives or that the infinitive ends in ‘i’, but that it works. I have travelled for work for for holidays or as a volunteer to many countries. I would now not think of setting off without having established some contacts with Esperanto speakers.

  2. Róislín:

    Hi, from your fellow Transparent blogger (Irish Blog),

    I checked out the article you recommended. Interesting. I imagine you and your readers saw this one a few years ago, but just in case:
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2003/jul/12/weekend.davidnewnham

    All the best, Róislín

  3. John:

    Thanks for that, Róislín! I didn’t see that, I don’t live in the UK.

  4. Joe Blum:

    The resulting diversity would be no greater that that between British and American/other Englishes, which I consider to be a charming enhancement rather than a drastic handicap.