{"id":3014,"date":"2017-05-08T08:00:34","date_gmt":"2017-05-08T08:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/esperanto\/?p=3014"},"modified":"2017-05-08T08:04:14","modified_gmt":"2017-05-08T08:04:14","slug":"esperanto-fun-with-etymology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/esperanto\/esperanto-fun-with-etymology\/","title":{"rendered":"Esperanto fun with Etymology"},"content":{"rendered":"

Etymology is the study of word origins. Looking at where words come from can help us learn Esperanto, and learning Esperanto can help us understand where words come from. By special request, we’re going to be looking at some word origins. This will help you pick up some Esperanto vocabulary. It will also help you see how Esperanto is connected to English, as well as to other languages, and how you can use this knowledge to impress your friends. (Of course “subterranean” means sub la tero<\/em>!)<\/p>\n

Do any of the words in this sign remind you of words you know in English or other languages?<\/p>\n

\"Knowing

Image by Steven Brewer on Flikr.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Esperanto and foreign languages<\/h2>\n

If you have learned another language before starting Esperanto, much of Esperanto’s vocabulary will look familiar. Bezoni<\/em> (to need) looks like French besoin<\/em>.\u00a0\u015cranko<\/em>\u00a0(cupboard\/closet) very clearly comes from German der Schrank<\/em>. As you learn, you’ll find no end of connections like this. This is one way in which learning one language helps you learn a second.<\/p>\n

Using English to help learn Esperanto<\/h2>\n

The connection of some Esperanto words to English is obvious and doesn’t need to be pointed out. Birdo<\/em>, boato<\/em>, and danci<\/em> are pretty easy for English speakers to guess or learn. Other words aren’t as obvious, but once you see the connection, it’s hard to forget<\/p>\n

Here’s a short list.<\/p>\n