donaldboozer
Case 6: Esperanto & Other Auxlangs, center
(Top) Amikejo
The Esperanto Nation That Almost Was
In 1815, after the fall of Napoleon, the borders within Europe had to be re-established. Prussia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands experienced a disagreement over the territory known as Moresnet where an important zinc mine was located. As neither Prussia nor the Netherlands wanted the other one to own the mine, negotiations dragged on for a year. Finally, it was decided that Moresnet would be divided into three parts: One to the Netherlands, one to Prussia, and one declared a neutral territory around the disputed zinc mine called Neutral-Moresnet or Neutrales Gebiet “Neutral Region.” Neutral-Moresnet comprised only seventy acres but was strategically important.
In 1816, only 256 people lived in the disputed territory, but the number of inhabitants grew steadily, especially due to the development of the zinc mine. In 1830, there were 500 inhabitants, and, by 1858, this number had grown to 2,572. Of these, 695 were so-called “Neutrals” (mainly offspring of the first inhabitants); 852 were Belgians; 807, Prussians; 204, Dutch; and 14 were immigrants from other countries. Imports from the surrounding countries were toll free; the taxes were very low; and prices were lower and wages higher than in the surrounding countries. A disadvantage for the "Neutrals" was that they were stateless if they were abroad.
The Esperanto connection to Neutral-Moresnet comes with the legendary Dr. Wilhelm Molly. Born in Wetzlar, Germany, Dr. Molly emigrated to the territory and set up a medical practice. He became admired for his low fees and became even more popular when he helped to quell a cholera epidemic. In 1906, Dr. Molly met the French professor Gustave Roy. Roy and Molly, both avid Esperantists, decided to establish an Esperanto state and Neutral-Moresnet seemed the most suitable territory. In 1908, a great demonstration was held and glowing speeches were given for the establishment of the Esperanto free state to be called “Amikejo” (“friend-place” in Esperanto). During this gathering, the zinc miners’ band even played the proposed national anthem, “Amikejo-march.” The February 23, 1908, edition of the New York Times carried a short article heralding the “new European state,” albeit with some skepticism.
However, the fate of “Amikejo” was sealed when the local zinc mine was depleted. Prussia began to reassert claims over the territory, and the inhabitants of Moresnet petitioned for annexation by Belgium, which had declared independence from the Netherlands in 1830. The Prussians occupied the territory and asserted control. However, in 1919, final control of the territory was ceded to Belgium, bringing an end to the existence of Neutral-Moresnet and the dream of “Amikejo.”
(Middle left)My advice to all who have the time or inclination to concern themselves with the international language movement would be: "Back Esperanto loyally."
~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The British Esperantist (1932)
(Middle center)George Soros
Native Esperanto Speaker
George Soros, the Hungarian-born billionaire-philanthropist-philosopher, is the son of Tivadar Schwartz, a proponent of Esperanto. Soros’ father changed the family name ahead of a rising tide of anti-Semiticism in Europe: “soros” is both Hungarian for “next in line” and Esperanto for “will soar.” George Soros survived Nazi-occupation by posing as a non-Jewish Hungarian and escaped Soviet occupation by attending an international Esperanto youth conference and emigrating to Britain. His advocating for open societies and international cooperation were, in part, likely shaped by the ideals of Esperanto instilled in him by his father.
Soros’ father’s memoir, Maskerado ĉirkaŭ la morto: Nazimondo en Hungarujo was translated into English from the original Esperanto in 2000 and entitled Masquerade: Dancing Around Death in Nazi-occupied Hungary.
(Middle right) Kim “Kimo” Henriksen
Native Esperanto Speaker
Kimo’s Danish father and Polish mother met through Esperanto and used the language as the everyday medium of their home life. Kimo grew up speaking both Esperanto and Danish but considers the invented language his “native” tongue. Kimo formed an Esperanto rock group Amplifiki (Esperanto for “amplify”). It was during this time that he wrote the song “Sola” (Esperanto for “alone”) which has become a mainstay at Esperanto gatherings. He has performed with the Danish-Bosnian-Polish group Esperanto Desperado, whose album broKANTAĴOJ contained covers of several songs by Amplifiki.
(Bottom left) Jules Verne
Esperanto Enthusiast
The French novelist Jules Verne (1828-1905) was an early proponent of Esperanto. Although most likely unable to speak or read Esperanto at the time, Verne was made first honorary president of an Esperanto society in the town of Amiens, France, in 1903. Another direct link to the language is contained in an unpublished manuscript of a novel entitled Voyage d'étude (Voyage of Discovery). This book contained a character who was an Esperanto admirer and contained these lines: La clé d'une langue commune, perdue dans la Tour de Babel, peut être seulement construite par l'usage de l'Espéranto. (The key of a common language, lost in the Tower of Babel, can only be remade by the use of Esperanto.); L'espéranto, c'est le plus sûr, le plus rapide véhicule de la civilisation. (Esperanto is the surest, most rapid vehicle of civilization.). The novel was revised and published posthumously by Verne's son, Michel, under the title L'Étonnante Aventure de la Mission Barsac (The Astonishing Adventure of the Barsac Expedition). Michel removed all references to Esperanto in the final version.
(Bottom right) The Babel Text in Esperanto
1.Sur la tuta tero estis unu lingvo kaj unu parolmaniero.
2.Kaj kiam ili ekiris de la oriento, ili trovis valon en la lando Ŝinar kaj tie ekloĝis.
3.Kaj ili diris unu al alia: Venu, ni faru brikojn kaj ni brulpretigu ilin per fajro. Kaj la brikoj fariĝis por ili ŝtonoj, kaj la bitumo fariĝis por ili kalko.
4.Kaj ili diris: Venu, ni konstruu al ni urbon, kaj turon, kies supro atingos la ĉielon, kaj ni akiru al ni gloron, antaŭ ol ni disiĝos sur la supraĵo de la tuta tero.
5.Kaj la Eternulo malleviĝis, por vidi la urbon kaj la turon, kiujn konstruis la homidoj.
6.Kaj la Eternulo diris: Jen estas unu popolo, kaj unu lingvon ili ĉiuj havas; kaj jen, kion ili komencis fari, kaj ili ne estos malhelpataj en ĉio, kion ili decidis fari.
7.Ni malleviĝu do, kaj Ni konfuzu tie ilian lingvon, por ke unu ne komprenu la parolon de alia.
8.Kaj la Eternulo disigis ilin de tie sur la supraĵon de la tuta tero, kaj ili ĉesis konstrui la urbon.
9.Tial oni donis al ĝi la nomon Babel, ĉar tie la Eternulo konfuzis la lingvon de la tuta tero kaj de tie la Eternulo disigis ilin sur la supraĵon de la tuta tero.
Translation by L.L. Zamenhof
(eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babela_turo)
The Babel Text in Ido (Reformed Esperanto)
1.Nun la tota mondo havis un linguo e komuna parol-maniero.
2.Dum ke homi movis este, li trovis plano en Shinar e lojeskis ibe.
3.Li dicis a l'uni l'altri, "Venez, ni fabrikez briki e par-koquez li." Li uzis briko vice petro, e gudro vice mortero.
4.Pose li dicis, "Venez, ni konstruktez urbego por ni, kun turmo qua extensas a la cielo, por ke ni darfas establisar nomo por ni e ne dis-semar sur la surfaco di la tota tero."
5.Ma la Sinioro venis infre por vidar la urbego e la turmo quin la homi konstruktis.
6.La Sinioro dicis, "Se kom un populo parolanta la sama linguo li komencis facar to, do nulo quon li projetos facar esos ne-posibla por li.
7.Venez, ni irez infre e konfundez lia linguo por ke li ne interkomprenos."
8.Do la Sinioro dis-semis li de ibe sur la tota terglobo, e li haltis konstruktar la urbego.
9.To esas pro quo ol nomesis Babel - pro ke la Sinioro konfundis la linguo di la tota mondo. De ibe la Sinioro dis-semis li sur la surfaco di la tota terglobo.
Case 6: Esperanto & Other Auxlangs, center
(Top) Amikejo
The Esperanto Nation That Almost Was
In 1815, after the fall of Napoleon, the borders within Europe had to be re-established. Prussia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands experienced a disagreement over the territory known as Moresnet where an important zinc mine was located. As neither Prussia nor the Netherlands wanted the other one to own the mine, negotiations dragged on for a year. Finally, it was decided that Moresnet would be divided into three parts: One to the Netherlands, one to Prussia, and one declared a neutral territory around the disputed zinc mine called Neutral-Moresnet or Neutrales Gebiet “Neutral Region.” Neutral-Moresnet comprised only seventy acres but was strategically important.
In 1816, only 256 people lived in the disputed territory, but the number of inhabitants grew steadily, especially due to the development of the zinc mine. In 1830, there were 500 inhabitants, and, by 1858, this number had grown to 2,572. Of these, 695 were so-called “Neutrals” (mainly offspring of the first inhabitants); 852 were Belgians; 807, Prussians; 204, Dutch; and 14 were immigrants from other countries. Imports from the surrounding countries were toll free; the taxes were very low; and prices were lower and wages higher than in the surrounding countries. A disadvantage for the "Neutrals" was that they were stateless if they were abroad.
The Esperanto connection to Neutral-Moresnet comes with the legendary Dr. Wilhelm Molly. Born in Wetzlar, Germany, Dr. Molly emigrated to the territory and set up a medical practice. He became admired for his low fees and became even more popular when he helped to quell a cholera epidemic. In 1906, Dr. Molly met the French professor Gustave Roy. Roy and Molly, both avid Esperantists, decided to establish an Esperanto state and Neutral-Moresnet seemed the most suitable territory. In 1908, a great demonstration was held and glowing speeches were given for the establishment of the Esperanto free state to be called “Amikejo” (“friend-place” in Esperanto). During this gathering, the zinc miners’ band even played the proposed national anthem, “Amikejo-march.” The February 23, 1908, edition of the New York Times carried a short article heralding the “new European state,” albeit with some skepticism.
However, the fate of “Amikejo” was sealed when the local zinc mine was depleted. Prussia began to reassert claims over the territory, and the inhabitants of Moresnet petitioned for annexation by Belgium, which had declared independence from the Netherlands in 1830. The Prussians occupied the territory and asserted control. However, in 1919, final control of the territory was ceded to Belgium, bringing an end to the existence of Neutral-Moresnet and the dream of “Amikejo.”
(Middle left)My advice to all who have the time or inclination to concern themselves with the international language movement would be: "Back Esperanto loyally."
~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The British Esperantist (1932)
(Middle center)George Soros
Native Esperanto Speaker
George Soros, the Hungarian-born billionaire-philanthropist-philosopher, is the son of Tivadar Schwartz, a proponent of Esperanto. Soros’ father changed the family name ahead of a rising tide of anti-Semiticism in Europe: “soros” is both Hungarian for “next in line” and Esperanto for “will soar.” George Soros survived Nazi-occupation by posing as a non-Jewish Hungarian and escaped Soviet occupation by attending an international Esperanto youth conference and emigrating to Britain. His advocating for open societies and international cooperation were, in part, likely shaped by the ideals of Esperanto instilled in him by his father.
Soros’ father’s memoir, Maskerado ĉirkaŭ la morto: Nazimondo en Hungarujo was translated into English from the original Esperanto in 2000 and entitled Masquerade: Dancing Around Death in Nazi-occupied Hungary.
(Middle right) Kim “Kimo” Henriksen
Native Esperanto Speaker
Kimo’s Danish father and Polish mother met through Esperanto and used the language as the everyday medium of their home life. Kimo grew up speaking both Esperanto and Danish but considers the invented language his “native” tongue. Kimo formed an Esperanto rock group Amplifiki (Esperanto for “amplify”). It was during this time that he wrote the song “Sola” (Esperanto for “alone”) which has become a mainstay at Esperanto gatherings. He has performed with the Danish-Bosnian-Polish group Esperanto Desperado, whose album broKANTAĴOJ contained covers of several songs by Amplifiki.
(Bottom left) Jules Verne
Esperanto Enthusiast
The French novelist Jules Verne (1828-1905) was an early proponent of Esperanto. Although most likely unable to speak or read Esperanto at the time, Verne was made first honorary president of an Esperanto society in the town of Amiens, France, in 1903. Another direct link to the language is contained in an unpublished manuscript of a novel entitled Voyage d'étude (Voyage of Discovery). This book contained a character who was an Esperanto admirer and contained these lines: La clé d'une langue commune, perdue dans la Tour de Babel, peut être seulement construite par l'usage de l'Espéranto. (The key of a common language, lost in the Tower of Babel, can only be remade by the use of Esperanto.); L'espéranto, c'est le plus sûr, le plus rapide véhicule de la civilisation. (Esperanto is the surest, most rapid vehicle of civilization.). The novel was revised and published posthumously by Verne's son, Michel, under the title L'Étonnante Aventure de la Mission Barsac (The Astonishing Adventure of the Barsac Expedition). Michel removed all references to Esperanto in the final version.
(Bottom right) The Babel Text in Esperanto
1.Sur la tuta tero estis unu lingvo kaj unu parolmaniero.
2.Kaj kiam ili ekiris de la oriento, ili trovis valon en la lando Ŝinar kaj tie ekloĝis.
3.Kaj ili diris unu al alia: Venu, ni faru brikojn kaj ni brulpretigu ilin per fajro. Kaj la brikoj fariĝis por ili ŝtonoj, kaj la bitumo fariĝis por ili kalko.
4.Kaj ili diris: Venu, ni konstruu al ni urbon, kaj turon, kies supro atingos la ĉielon, kaj ni akiru al ni gloron, antaŭ ol ni disiĝos sur la supraĵo de la tuta tero.
5.Kaj la Eternulo malleviĝis, por vidi la urbon kaj la turon, kiujn konstruis la homidoj.
6.Kaj la Eternulo diris: Jen estas unu popolo, kaj unu lingvon ili ĉiuj havas; kaj jen, kion ili komencis fari, kaj ili ne estos malhelpataj en ĉio, kion ili decidis fari.
7.Ni malleviĝu do, kaj Ni konfuzu tie ilian lingvon, por ke unu ne komprenu la parolon de alia.
8.Kaj la Eternulo disigis ilin de tie sur la supraĵon de la tuta tero, kaj ili ĉesis konstrui la urbon.
9.Tial oni donis al ĝi la nomon Babel, ĉar tie la Eternulo konfuzis la lingvon de la tuta tero kaj de tie la Eternulo disigis ilin sur la supraĵon de la tuta tero.
Translation by L.L. Zamenhof
(eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babela_turo)
The Babel Text in Ido (Reformed Esperanto)
1.Nun la tota mondo havis un linguo e komuna parol-maniero.
2.Dum ke homi movis este, li trovis plano en Shinar e lojeskis ibe.
3.Li dicis a l'uni l'altri, "Venez, ni fabrikez briki e par-koquez li." Li uzis briko vice petro, e gudro vice mortero.
4.Pose li dicis, "Venez, ni konstruktez urbego por ni, kun turmo qua extensas a la cielo, por ke ni darfas establisar nomo por ni e ne dis-semar sur la surfaco di la tota tero."
5.Ma la Sinioro venis infre por vidar la urbego e la turmo quin la homi konstruktis.
6.La Sinioro dicis, "Se kom un populo parolanta la sama linguo li komencis facar to, do nulo quon li projetos facar esos ne-posibla por li.
7.Venez, ni irez infre e konfundez lia linguo por ke li ne interkomprenos."
8.Do la Sinioro dis-semis li de ibe sur la tota terglobo, e li haltis konstruktar la urbego.
9.To esas pro quo ol nomesis Babel - pro ke la Sinioro konfundis la linguo di la tota mondo. De ibe la Sinioro dis-semis li sur la surfaco di la tota terglobo.