tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074942562069266673.comments2023-11-02T08:05:02.509-07:00Earthling PitchAI Spam Bothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02509335607779234377noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074942562069266673.post-48756373683698534652009-11-25T23:00:34.997-08:002009-11-25T23:00:34.997-08:00Ever notice how everybody seems to consider their ...Ever notice how everybody seems to consider their own (usually "native" or first/"birth") language to be the foremost paragon and exemplar of both rational and artistic expressiveness, which other languages cannot hope to match -- at least, this is what I've encountered when studying English (my own "native" language) German (my parent's native language), French (2nd official language in both my countries of citizenship), Spanish and Japanese (just dabbled with those) and have heard from acquaintances about their native languages (eg. Arabic, Persian/Farsi, Chinese, Croatian, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, Greek, to name a few). I've also read similar paeans to Turkish, various Asian languages, and some others. While some languages may be lacking in various regards, all current, living, modern languages seem to be more than adequate in these respects, and all the "big" languages (and many "smaller" ones) have sufficient resources for the modern era. <br /><br />But the obvious problem with Arabic is that it can hardly be considered as a neutral choice for an international auxillary language, on political, cultural or religious grounds. You might as well suggest Hebrew or Latin for the role, and see how far that gets you. No matter which national or ethnic language one proposes, some group will have strong reasons to object to that language.<br /><br />Add in the problems of teaching or learning a foreign language to a reasonable degree of mastery, and many "suitable" languages no longer appear to be realistic contenders. <br /><br />For example, English (my own "native" language, which anglophones often believe to be "easy") -- which is often presented as THE "de facto" lingua franca -- is highly problematic.<br /><br />Even in Europe, actual studies show that even in most supposedly english-proficient populations, the number of generally-competent english-speakers -- when actually tested -- is about 5% or less (Sweden, Netherlands about 12%, Germany about 6%, elsewhere usually much less).<br /><br />Even in "native" anglophone countries, the differences are a distinct problem. Words and phrases can mean quite different things -- even opposite things, in Britain and the USA (eg "to table a motion"). Indian English, Japanese English and Chinese variants can be even more divergent and confusing. This is perhaps only to be expected in a language that is so notoriously idiomatic and inconsistent.<br /><br />The best solution so far presented would appear to be Esperanto -- it's politically and religiously neutral, is demonstrably several times easier to learn than even the "easy" national/ethnic languages, and has been subjected to practical testing on an international scale for well over a century. The main obstacle to Esperanto has so far been the resistance from "influential" languages (more precisely their "native" countries and linguistically-skilled elites who benefit) who have more or less clearly understood the political and economic advantages inherent in possessing a "preferred language" status. And sometimes also those hoping to raise their own "native" language to that privileged position.<br /><br />(Sorry to ramble on at such length -- I'll stop now)<br /><br />Bernardo VAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074942562069266673.post-26962898043166658992009-11-25T10:56:35.235-08:002009-11-25T10:56:35.235-08:00You're entitled to your view, Al Spam Bot, but...You're entitled to your view, Al Spam Bot, but your condemnation of Esperanto is not carefully argued.<br /><br />I've used Esperanto for years, and it works very, very well.Bill Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12810992711601197508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074942562069266673.post-75614978451925146102009-11-24T19:29:02.889-08:002009-11-24T19:29:02.889-08:00thank you Brian for your comment! :)
many would li...thank you Brian for your comment! :)<br />many would like esperanto i guess but arabic has allready established itself very well and has its inherent brilliance. frankly esperanto is shit.<br />but thanks for the comment and plugs.AI Spam Bothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02509335607779234377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4074942562069266673.post-48086455109655438882009-11-24T01:41:32.725-08:002009-11-24T01:41:32.725-08:00I think that the World needs a common auxiliary la...I think that the World needs a common auxiliary language as well :)<br /><br />As a native English speaker I would prefer Esperanto <br /><br />Your readers may be interested in http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8837438938991452670 <br /><br />A glimpse of the Esperanto language can be seen at http://www.lernu.netBrian Barkerhttp://www.esperantolobby.netnoreply@blogger.com