[net.nlang] learning/retaining a language: learning Esperanto first

neal@druny.UUCP (Neal D. McBurnett) (01/14/85)

If you want to be able to converse with as broad (not large) a group
of people as possible, I would recommend learning Esperanto first.
Disclaimer: English is more widely known, but you already know it.
	Esperanto would, however, be a more popular mode of
	communication in, say, Bulgaria.
	If you are specifically interested in one other language
	and never plan to learn another, you should probably focus
	on that language.
	If you plan to focus primarily on non-indo-european languages,
	again, Esperanto will only help you in that it will give
	you a very clear understanding of the vagarities of English
	grammar.
However, as I think was demonstrated by the responses to my request
for the origins of lots of unusual Esperanto roots, a good knowledge
of Esperanto would give you quite a head start on the indo-european
languages.  Studies have demonstrated that it does not slow you down
very much to learn Esperanto first, and then the language of your
choice.  Then you know two languages, and you can find people to
talk to people in scores of countries!

One very reasonable proposal seems to be to teach Esperanto in the
schools as an alternative to Latin.  The only problem I see is that
the classics would not be easily read, but I'd rather the children
were able to read the one hundred periodicals now published in
Esperanto world-wide with an emphasis on peace, rather than
the Helenic wars!
Of course, the biggest practical problem will be getting enough
qualified teachers.

Excuse me if I'm overstating the point, but I've gotten quite excited
about Esperanto in the last few month!
-Neal McBurnett

josh@topaz.ARPA (J Storrs Hall) (01/15/85)

> -Neal McBurnett:
> the classics would not be easily read, but I'd rather the children
> were able to read the one hundred periodicals now published in
> Esperanto world-wide with an emphasis on peace, rather than
> the Helenic wars!

If we do not study history, we will be doomed to repeat it.
I'd suggest learning Latin instead.

--JoSH