Esperanto language

About the ESPERANTO

Esperanto  means the hopeful person, originally Lingvo Internacia – international language.

It is the most widely used international auxiliary language in the world. Its name comes from the nickname “Dr. Esperanto ”(a hoping doctor), under which Ludwik Zamenhof, a Pole, from Białystok, published the basics of the language in 1887 in the book „International language. Foreword and a complete textbook ”.

Its aim was to create a neutral and easy-to-learn language, useful for international communication, but not a substitute for other national languages.

Many pages about Esperanto have been written, so (not wanting to repeat yourself) here you can read the opinions of people who have focused on Esperanto and its idea, and got to know the language and its possibilities. Here is what people of different nationalities, professions and views – in many areas recognized as authorities, known in Poland and in the world – said about Esperanto.

Antoni Beyga (1934 – 2018) – a distinguished educator honoured with the Golden Cross of Merit, the Order of Polonia Restituta, and others, an Esperantist and a tireless promoter of Esperanto.

“Condemned many times to annihilation, he has been living for over 130 years, has kept its simplicity, neutrality and universality, is constantly developing and has all the attributes of a natural language. (…) Also in modern times, there are no shortage of bitter opponents of the popularization of Esperanto as a bridging language that facilitates understanding between nations – in particular, a unifying Europe. Attempts to ridicule, conceal the information that such a tool of communication exists, is felt particularly painfully in Poland – the cradle of Esperanto. (…) Successive anniversaries of the publication of Esperanto are remembered in many countries – especially in those where it is highly recognized and popular, e.g. China, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Hungary, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria – is celebrated very solemnly. “

Zenon Klemensiewicz (1891-1969) – Polish linguist, profesor of the Jagiellonian University, member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences; author of the book „Is Esperanto worth learning?”

“Esperanto is based on the grammatical and lexical foundations of the Indo-European languages, hence for many millions of people it is something close and easy.”
For the average European, Esperanto is 10 times easier than English, French or German – independent research has shown. It saves a lot of time, money, nerves and health! You ask: what about the Chinese? They also find it easier to learn Esperanto, it is estimated that for them Esperanto is 5- / 6 times easier than English.

“Esperanto is an achievement of Polish culture.”
This quote should be emphasized, because many times we, Esperantists, come across the statement that Esperanto is not related to culture, or even to Polish, whereas in 2014, the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage entered Esperanto on the List of Intangible Cultural Polish Heritage.

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) – this man needs no further introduction – writer.

„I personally believe in the chance of an’ artificial ‘language, at least in Europe, because I believe that it is needed by a Europe that unites not to be swallowed up by non-Europe, and for many other good reasons. I believe in his chances, because the history of the world indicates – as I know – an increase in human control or influence over what cannot be controlled, and a gradual expansion of the range of more or less uniform languages. I especially appreciate Esperanto, and not the least important reason for this is the fact that it is the work of one man, who is not a philologist, so it is “a language free from the inconvenience associated with an excessive number of subsequent cooks” – which is the best description of an ideal artificial language (in particular meaning) that I can present. “
Zamenhof himself developed the project of the Esperanto language and handed it over to the people, but he marked the conditions of changes that were and are inevitable due to the development of civilization. Esperanto was created in the nineteenth century, but this does not mean that in its dictionary you will not find the word computer or an Internet browser. The current language is kept up-to-date by the Akademio de Esperanto, specially created for this purpose.

Mahatma Gandhi, owner Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) – Indian lawyer, writer, philosopher and politician, spiritual leader of India in the fight for independence, promoter of pacifism.

“I am for a single calendar for the whole world, just as I am for a single currency for all countries and for Esperanto, the world’s auxiliary language for all peoples.”
In 2004, the European Parliament voted for a common language for the EU. No national language gained more than 10%; English came 3rd, German 2nd, and Esperanto 1st with over 40% support. Two years later the same the question was asked to the inhabitants of the EU – the result? The order is the same, but this time Esperanto received over 60% of the votes – who would have thought that “something dead” can defeat such powers. You will ask: why Esperanto does not reign in the EU? Because it is politically neutral, is on the side of humanity, not interests, there is no army and rich lobby.

From the Resolution of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland of June 12, 2008.

“Esperanto connects people in a rich and varied culture whose basic messages are international friendship and universal peace.”

How did it start in Siedlce?

Officially, the Siedlce branch of the Polish Esperantist Society (today’s Polish Esperantist Association) was established on December 13, 1908 and exists to this day. Thus, it is the oldest association operating in our city, next to the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society, “Podlasie” Branch in Siedlce, which was also established in the same year, but slightly earlier, on November 22nd.

Currently, our Branch is collecting materials and works are underway on a broader study of the history of Esperantists in Siedlce and the Esperanto language itself in our city.

If any of you have any information or materials about the activities of Esperanto speakers from Siedlce, especially if they concern the times before 1956, please contact us: esperanto.siedlce@o2.pl, tel. 796 340 243.

At the end, thinking you for your attention, I recommend you the website: https://learn.esperanto.com/en/ with the Esperanto Course. Take a chance to see yourself how easy this language is.

Text written and prepared by Agnieszka Baczkura
(based on available materials and own knowledge)

If you have any questions or are interested in learning this language, please contact:

esperanto.siedlce@o2.pl, tel. +48 694 825 485 / + 48 796 340 243

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We also invite you to a free Esperanto language course!

On Saturdays from 10.00 – 12.00

in the library at the Parish of St. John Paul II, ul. Rakowiecka 30.

(Before coming, please contact me to confirm the date of the meeting – +48 796 340 243)

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Meetings of Esperantists from Siedlce are held

every last Thursday of the month at 15.30

(except for winter and summer holidays),

at the Municipal Public Library in Siedlce at ul. Pulaskiego 6

(lounge on the first floor, entrance from ul. Piłsudskiego).