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News articles of interest to higher education LLAS subject fields.

Wednesday, 16 July 2008

Why does anyone learn Esperanto?

Littlewoods Direct is using a language constructed in the 19th Century, Esperanto, to launch a new clothing range. Who still learns this language, and why?
"Mi superfantazia eltravo alporti plu vesoiji."

Wednesday 16 July 2008
BBC website
Posted by John Canning at 16:22
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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

There are thousands of reasons why people learn this planned international language. Each speaker's motives are unique to them. I've used it in speech and writing in a dozen countries over many years.

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 can't recommend it highly enough.

July 16, 2008
Anonymous said...

Bill Chapman's comments hit the mark.

However he does not mention that Esperanto has great propaedeutic values as well. Esperanto helps language learning!

This can be seen on http://www.lernu.net

July 16, 2008
Eriketo said...

Definitely agree with both comments above. Through speaking Esperanto I've not only made some really good friends worldwide, but have gained an understanding of language structure and grammar that has considerably helped me in learning other languages. The ability to chat with people in countries as varied as Japan, China, Brazil, Russia, Algeria (whose native languages I don't speak!) is fantastic.

You can also get a FREE 12-lesson taster course, which will teach you all the basics, at: http://www.esperantoeducation.com/freepostal.html

July 17, 2008

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