Esperanto, a language born from the vision of harmony and unity among all people, has cultivated its own rich tapestry of symbols over its existence. These symbols are not just identifiers but are imbued with stories, meanings, and aspirations that resonate deeply within the Esperanto community. Let’s delve deeper into each symbol. The Esperanto Flag: A Banner of Hope and Peace Imagine walking through the streets of Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, in 1905, where individuals from diverse nationalities gather, speaking in a language designed to bridge worlds. Amidst this convergence, a flag is unfurled, its green field blowing gently in the wind, a white canton catching the light, and within it, a green star shining brightly. This was the birth of the … Continue reading “Main Esperanto Symbols”
Category: Esperanto
Why Esperanto won’t diverge into dialects
A criticism I’ve heard a few times about Esperanto is that it can’t become a universal language, because it would diverge into separate dialects. The argument goes like this: even if everyone in the world could speak Esperanto, the language wouldn’t succeed because it would inevitably split into several mutually incomprehensible languages and we would be back where we started. Some people seem to believe that all languages inevitably evolve and diverge until they become unrecognisable and the divergence of Latin into the Romance languages is usually the example given. The funny thing is, these arguments have come from English speakers in Britain, America, Australia and other countries, yet as an Irishman, I can understand them without any problem. If … Continue reading “Why Esperanto won’t diverge into dialects”
What Are The Main Esperanto Magazines?
One of the best way to use and learn Esperanto is by reading magazines. You get to practice using the language while seeing the views and opinions of Esperantists from all over the world. There are loads of Esperanto magazines, covering a wide range of topics, so there’s certainly going to be something to interest you. There are hundreds of magazines in total as most countries and interest groups have their own review. I won’t be able to discuss all of them in this post, so I’ll just focus on the main international journals. Esperanto magazines do not have one flat subscription rate, instead the price varies by country, with poorer countries paying less and richer countries paying more. (This … Continue reading “What Are The Main Esperanto Magazines?”
5 Ways Esperanto Is Easier Than English
When people ask me why I speak Esperanto, my answer is simple; it’s really easy. I’ve always had difficulties learning languages and Esperanto is the only language I’ve ever succeeded in learning. The arbitrary pronunciation, random grammar rules, infuriating irregularities, endless exceptions that had to be memorised, silent letters, obscure tenses and half a dozen other rules in every language, drove me mad. I spent countless frustrating hours trying to decipher these Byzantine codes, usually without success. I would complain to my teacher (and anyone who would listen) about how these rules were unnecessary and added nothing to the language, couldn’t someone just remove the irregularities? Well, it turned out that someone did. Esperanto is like a language designed by … Continue reading “5 Ways Esperanto Is Easier Than English”
The Progress And Prospects Of Esperanto (1907)
I’ve always had a love of history so the area of Esperanto history is something I find fascinating. It’s interesting to read articles from a hundred years ago about, what at the time, was a new invention. The late 19th and early 20th century was a time full of new inventions and advances as the world was changing beyond recognition. All areas of life were undergoing rapid change and many wondered if language too would be subject to the modernisation that so many other fields experienced. It is incredible to look back at the early hopes and uncertainties people had towards Esperanto. Who knew what would happen with the language? Would it genuinely become a major world language or was … Continue reading “The Progress And Prospects Of Esperanto (1907)”