Esperanto: The Language of World Peace?

In 1887, L.L. Zamenhof published Unua Libro in which he detailed a new language of his own creation. His goal was to have this language, since dubbed Esperanto, go global, fostering peace and international understanding in the process. Obviously, he didn’t succeed, at least not yet. But how popular is Esperanto today?

The Invention of Esperanto?

Dr. L.L. Zamenhof’s goal was ambitious – he wanted nothing less than to create a single language which would be used by the entire world. He believed that this would improve communication and break down walls between enemies. Rather than support an existing language, which he considered unfair, he created Esperanto during the late 1870s and early 1880s while living in the Russian Empire.

He published his first book regarding the Esperanto language in 1887. Although based on European root words, it contained its own grammar and vocabulary. It began to grow in popularity and spread across borders. By 1905, there was a World Congress of Esperanto and this event has continued on a nearly annual basis.

Today, there are somewhere between 10,000 and two million speakers of Esperanto, located in 115 countries. While amazingly successful on one level, the movement has fallen far short of Zamenhof’s goals. What went wrong?

Guerrilla Explorer’s Analysis

The biggest obstacle to the growth of Esperanto, as I see it, was already stated by Will Rogers.

“They ain’t gonna do it.” ~ Will Rogers

In other words, the difficulties in learning a new language constituted a barrier that few people were willing to cross. Those who choose to learn a new language often do so for very practical, often economic reasons. That may explain why the English language has “usurped the role of global lingua franca coveted by Esperanto.”

Will Esperanto ever become humanity’s sole language? It seems unlikely. Still, its advocates should be proud. Esperanto is the most popular “constructed language” in history, far outdistancing its many competitors. In addition, it has led to the creation of a unique culture, with publications, music, and even shared traditions. And from where I stand, that makes Esperanto a gigantic success.

Recent Comments

  • Pietro von Herts
    November 29, 2011 - 5:15 pm · Reply

    Saluton kara amiko!

    I will use the Portuguese, which is my mother tongue. 🙂

    Bem o inglês não usurpou o papel do esperanto, o esperanto não veio para sobrepujar nenhum idioma, é um idioma fácil e de aprendizado rápido.
    Através desse idioma tenho contato com as mais diversas culturas em todo mundo.
    Sim o esperanto venceu.
    Amike vin salutas el Brazilo:
    Pietro
    Sabemos do p

  • Anonymous
    November 29, 2011 - 10:19 pm · Reply

    Thanks for commenting on my favorite language 🙂

    I just came here to add that Esperanto is not meant to replace all languages, but to be used as a neuter and easy means of communication among people from different parts of the world.

  • Bill Chapman
    November 30, 2011 - 7:50 pm · Reply

    I am a British citizen at present in Argentina. My Spanish is very poor, I am sorry to say, but, using Esperanto, I felt at home when I visited the local Esperanto contact Sylvia.

    I have used this planned language in many, many countries, and I recommend it to readers of your blog.

Leave a Comment