ESPERANTO BULLETIN Subscription/Ten Cents a Year Five to One Address. 25 Cents Ten, Yearly One Address, $.50 100, Yearly One Address, »4.50 Extra Postage'in Chicago and Canada, 12 cents per year for 1 to 20 copies. Foreign postage, 12 cents per year for 1 to 10 copies Entered as second-class matter Oetober 29th, 1908, at the post office at Chicaco, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879_________, Monthly American Esperantist Co., 235 East Fortieth St., Chicago February igog Volume 1 Number 6 ^LIVING LANGUAGE WILLIAM GEORGE ADAMS SINCE the unfortunate occurrence, at the Tower of Babel this poor world, has been afflicted with an over-sufficiency of languages and it is estimated that at the present time there are over 2,500 lan- guages in use throughout the world. This diversity of language is the cause of a great amount of misunder- standing and inconvenience, since even if one does give up years, precious years, of his life to the study of half a dozen or so of languages, the minute he wanders into a land whose speech was not included in his eurric- luum he is little better off than if he were an uned- ucated Choctaw. Unless he is fortunate to have an interpreter (at 'steen francs per day) convenient, he can only make himself understood by resorting to the sign-language of our primitive forefathers, which has its limitations, for, saying nothing about the difficulty in its use to one afdieted with rheumatism, it is unsuited for such purposes as love-making, for example. But now wanders on the scene an enthusiastic gentle- man who asks, "Why should we not employ some simple, neutral language for all international rela- tions 1" And the only answer that Professor Hugo Mun- sterberg, Brander Mathews and others have so far been able to give to this question is just "Because." Esperanto Fills the Bill. Then our friend proceeds to remind us that such a language, called Espei'anto, already exists and is known and used today by over a million people in all parts mf the globe, that by its aid Zulu and Fijian hob-nob ■With Jap and Filipino. He tells us that it is so easy and simple that by the time the student of German lias learned the nineteenth exception to Rule Four- teen, the fortunate Esperanto student would be begin- ning to think of writing a novel in the international language. "■Almost" Languages. Esperanto is not the only international language in the field. By no means. There are some hundred others called forth by its success. There is Mr. X with his language To, who claims that no language can ever succeed which docs not, for example, recognize that the only possible method of counting is by using the words "zeb, zed, zef, zeg, zej, zcl, zem," etc. And here is Mr. Y who says that unless the Espcrantists adopt his brand of dessieated Esperanto and name a cat "whangdangle" instead of "kato," recognize "Snido," or whatever he may choose to call his dialect, as the only real thing in languages and himself as its proph- et, that some terrible and mysterious fate awaits them. Messrs. A, B, C and the rest of the alphabet also have each "the only perfect language" to offer us. But the general public lias been of late years so care- fully exhorted to "beware of imitations," "accept no substitutes," that they have obstinately, and in the pyes of these gentlemen theorists, criminally, continued to ignore all projects and adhere to the only interna- tional language which is an international language in fact, and not merely in the clouded imagination of its author. These "almost" languages, although they make a noise altogether out of proportion to their size, aver- age about two partisans per language. The inventors of some of them are candid enough to confess that even they, cannot speak the language! A Real Language. However, Esperanto must not be classed among these "would-be" languages. A movement which already possesses a million adherents and is progressing so rapidly that in a few years prospective candidates for office will have to learn Esperanto in order to catch WHAT IS ESPERANTO? THE following reply is quoted from a translation of the Declaration of the First World Congress of Esperantists, at Bolougne, France, August, 1905. Esperanto is an attempt to disseminate in the whole world a language neutrally human, which, not intruding itself in the internal life of the people, and aiming not at all to crowd out the existing national languages, would give to the people of different nations the ability mutually to understand each other, which can serve as a peace-making language in the public institutions of those where different nations fight among themselves about the language; and in which can be published works which have an equal interest for all peoples. Any other idea or hope which this or that Esperantist connects with Esperanto, is his purely private affair. the Esperanto vote, is certainly more than a fad. Even Kaiser Wilhelm has emerged from his shell long enough to say a good word for it! Simple and Easy. The verb in French has over 1,500 different forms. In Esperanto it has ten! In English, French and other languages the student must learn twenty or more rules about the formation of plurals, In Esperanto he needs to learn only one form. The English language has over 185,000 words. Esperanto has some 3,000. Yet, in spite of this simplicity, Esperanto is capable of expressing every idea as accurately as any language can. No matter bow much one may have heard of the easiness of Esperanto, it is always a surprise to him when he picks up for the first time a text book of the language and starts to investigate for himself. No exceptions, no irregular verbs, no long and complicated rules. Every wo/'d is pronounced exactly as it is spelled and the greater part of the words are already known to him. It is ten to one that Esperanto will look good to him; he will take up the study and in the course of a few weeks, will find himself able to cor- respond with Esperantists all over the world. His friends and neighbors will hear on every possible occa- sion about the merits of Esperanto and will be urged day and night to take up the study of "the glorious language of Dr. Zamenhof." Be Progressive! The majority of those who try to keep up with prog- ress are studying Esperanto today, and an ignorance of the international language will soon he accounted a serious reflection upon one's intelligence and progress- iveness. Since the Esperanto movement really means a great deal for progress, since the immediate and eventual advantages to be obtained by a knowledge of Esperanto are so great, and since it can be learned with so little effort, it would seem that no one can afford to ignore this important matter. Take our advice then, hie away to the nearest book- store, invest a few cents in a text book of Esperanto and keep up with the procession. Spanish Esperantists are energetically preparing for the fifth international congress of Esperantists which will be held in Barcelona next August. Beyond doubt this will be the largest and most successful congress ever held and will greatly increase the prestige and strength of Esperanto. The authorities of the province of Bar- celona are co-operating with the Esperantists of Spain and have just granted an annual subsidy of $10,000 to aid the instruction of the language in the schools of the province. An Esperanto society has just been formed in the C'itv of Jerusalem. ESPERANTO BULLETIN ! w FebruaryiQog ORIGIN OF ESPERANTO (Extract from a letter of Dr. Zamenhof to N. Borovko). YOU ask me how the idea of creating an interna- tional language first occurred to me. The idea to whose realization I have dedicated my whole life first came to me when I was a mere child and since that time has never left me; I have lived in its com- pany and cannot even imagine myself without it. This circumstance will partly explain to you why I have labored for it with so much obstinacy and why, in spite of so many difficulties and discouragements, I have never forsaken it, as have done so many others laboring in the same field. "I was born in Bielostok, (December 15, 1859) in the province of Grodno, Poland. This place of my birth and early years gave the direction of my future aspira- tions. In Bielostok the population consists of four elements, Russians, Poles, Germans and Hebrews. Each of these races speaks a language of its own and exists in a state of enmity to all the others. I was brought up an idealist; I was instructed that all men are brothers, and yet, in the street at every step it seemed to me that men do not exist, there are only Russians, Poles, Germans, Hebrews, etc. "This always tormented my childish soul, though many may be inclined to smile at this "sorrow for the world" in a child. Because it always seemed to me that the 'grown-ups' possessed some all-powerful strength, 1 often said to myself that when I was grown up I would do something to remove this evil. "Little by little I became convinced that this project was not quite so simple as it seemed to my childish mind; one after another I threw away my youthful Utopias, and only the dream of one language for all humanity remained. Though vague and shadowy, it was always in my mind. When I left the Royal School, at Bielostok, and went to the college at Warsaw, I commenced to dream of a new, artificial language. "I often made attempts to construct such a language, invented artificial conjugations and declinations, etc. But a human language, with its endless mass of gram- matical forms, its hundreds of thousands of words, seemed to me such a colossal machine that more than once I said to myself, 'Away with dreams! This task is beyond human strength.' But nevertheless I always returned to my dream. "I now commenced to learn the English language, and the simplicity of its grammar impressed me very strong- ly, especially by comparison with the classic tongues. Under this influence I commenced to construct a gram- mar, throwing out all useless forms, and soon arrived at a grammar so simple that, it could be summed up in a few pages. Then I commenced to dedicate myself more seriously to the work. But still I was oppressed by the immense vocabulary which seemed necessary to the language. "By chance. I happened to notice in the street a sign, 'Svejcarsknja,' (drink shop), and near it another, 'Kon- ditorskaja,' (confectionery). This suffix, 'skaja' in- terested me and showed me that by means of suffixes one can form from, one word, many new ones which it is not necessary to learn by themselves. At last I felt firm around under my feet, " 'The problem is solved,' I said to myself and com- menced to work in this direction. I understood what an important meaning the full and regular use of this force, which is only blindly and imperfectly used in the natural languages, would have for the artificial lan- guage. I commenced to compare words, searching among them definite and constant relations, and every day I threw out of the vocabulary a mass of words, substi- tuting for them a suffix standing for a certain relation. "The whole machinery of the language was now before me and I commenced to labor regularly, animated by high hopes. Boon after I had written'out the Whole grammar and a small dictionary. "In the year 1878, the language was more or less ready, although between the 'lingwe uniwersala' of that period and the present Esperanto, there is a wide dif- ference. I communicated the language to my fellow students. The majority of them were attracted by the idea and by the remarkable easiness of the language, and commenced to learn it. On the 5th day of Decem- ber. 1878, we held a solemn banquet in honor of the birth of the international language. During this feast there were speeches in the language and we all sung with enthusiasm a hymn expressing the ideals of the new language. "So ended the first period of the language. "Six months after our feast of the 5th of December, we finished the college course and separated. The apostles of the language made a few efforts to convert others but meeting only the ridicule of their elders, soon gave up the attempt and I remained alone. For- seeing only mockery and persecution, I decided to re- main silent about my work. During five years at the university I spoke to no one about it. This secrecy tormented me; obliged to hide my cherished dreams and plans, I went nowhere, took part in nothing and so the most beautiful part of life—the years as a student— passed very unhappily for me. "During six years I worked perfecting and proving the language—and I found sufficient labor, although in the year 1878 it had seemed to me perfect. I made many translations into the language, wrote original works in it, and wide experience proved to me that mŭeh that had seemed to me quite perfect in theory, was riot ac- ceptable in practice. Much had to be changed, sUbnte'H tuted, corrected and radically transformed. In 1878 it had seemed to me sufficient that the language possess grammar and vocabulary. But practice showed me that there was wanting an indescribable something, the link-- ing element, giving to the language a definite 'soul.' "I commenced to avoid word-for-word translations from this or that language and to think directly in the neut- ral language. Soon I noticed that the language had ceased to be a mere formless shadow of some other lan- guage and possessed its own spirit, its own life, a clearly defined physiognomy of its own. Speech flowed without effort, flexibly, gracefully and as smoothly as the moth- er tongue. "I finished the university and commenced my met cal practice. Now I commenced to think of the publf cation of my language. I prepared the manuscript of my first pamphlet, (The International Language, by Dr. Esperanto. Introduction and Complete Instruction Book), and commenced to search for a publisher. "But now for the first time I came into contact with the hard facts of life, the financial question, which af- terwards I had to combat constantly. During two years I searched vainly for a publisher. At last, after much trouble, I succeeded in publishing it myself in July, 1887. "At this critical period in my life, I felt very excited: I felt that I stood before the Rubicon, and realized that after the day when my pamphlet appeared I would no longer have the chance to retreat. I knew what fate awaits the physician who is dependent on the public, if that public sees him devoting his time to other mat- ters than his profession. I felt that I had placed upon a turn of the cards the future happiness of myself and of my family. But I could not abandon the idea which had become a part of mvself and ... I crossed the Rubi- con." The interest awakened in Germany by the great suc- cess of the Fourth International Congress of Esperant- ists, held in Dresden last August, has not abated with time. In the last two months eighty-five new courses in Esperanto have been started in Germany. The King of Paxony has accepted the title of Patron of the Saxon Esperanto Institute, which is now official. Esperanto is being taught in the schools of the City of Gotha. EXTRA POSTAGE Bitli.etiĵj subscribers in Chicago and Canada are re- quested to observe the extra postage schedule printed on first page. Do not send us subscriptions at regular rates, as stamps must be affixed and the postage on a single copy is twelve cents a year. ESPERANTO BULLETIN I ' SYNOPSIS OF ESPERANTO GRAMMAR THE ALPHABET con- sists of twenty-eight letters: abcĉdefgĝhnijĵkl innoprsŝtuŭvz. The sounds are as follows: a is like a in father. c is like is in bars. ~T6 is like ch in chxxxch. e is like a in fate, but not so long. g is like g in ^et. ĝ is like g intern. h is like ch in \och. i is like ee in see. j is like y in yet, boy. ĵ is like z in seizure. o is like o in roll. s is like s in so. S is like sh in show. u is like oo in soon. ŭ is like w in how. z is like z in zone, seize. r is slightly rolled or trilled. The remaining letters are pronounced exactly as in English: bdfhklmnp t v. PRONUNCIATION Every word is pronounced exactly as spelled, and no letter is ever silent. The Accent, stress or em- phasis is placed on the syl- lable next to the last: B A-lo; ne-HE-la; di-li-GEN-ta. Every vowel (a, e, i, o, u) . adds a syllable: zo-o-lo-gi-o; tre-eg-e. GRAMMATICAL SIGNS 0 the sign of the noun . . amo=rbf« A sign of the adjective . s.xna=ajfectionate E adverb......&xnc=apfeclionately 1 verb infinitive .... skribl=ro write AS verb present indicative skribas=za>"zV«.s IS verb past.....skribis=zaroi!e --"03 verb future .... skribos=wz'Zr write - U verb imperative . . . s\txibvL=write US verb conditional . . skx'\bws=might write ANT participle, present act. skxibanta=writing INT participle past active skribinta=/iaza'«£- written ONT participle future active sVtiboo.ta.=about to write AT participle present passive s\xxibaXa=:being -written IT participle past passive. skribita=5ee» written OT participle future passive skribota=aoo«Z to be -written J, final, indicates plural in nouns and adjectives N, objective case PREFIXES Esperanto is equipped with a system of prefixes and suffixes, giving a wide range of expression to a very small vocabulary. Tak- ing a root for the central thought, these are used to express the ■ variations of the central idea. In Exercise 42, American Esperanto Book, there are shown 53 words thus formed from one root. The only limit to such combinations is clearness, BO relationship by marriage; bopatxo=fat her-in-law ĈEF chief or principal; Ĉefkuiristo=/reaoT cook DE means from; depreni=i!o take from DIS dismemberment or separation; disŜiri=io tear apart EK to begin suddenly; ekkrii=ro cry out EKS same as English ex; etespxoz\&axAo=ex-president EL out; ellabori^o -work out; elpensi=rb think out FOR away ; foriri=/o go away GE both sexes; gopaxxo\=parents MAL the direct opposite; boxxa.=good; malbona==6ao? NE not, neutral; nebela=«oi beautiful, plain RE to repeat or reverse ; reiri=i"o go back; xedixi=repeat SEN without, -less; senhara=oa&? SUFFIXES AD continued action; kanto=a song ; kzntado=singing A] the concrete; bela=f. -utiful;belsx]o=a beautiful thing AR collection or group; vortaro=a dictionary CJ diminutive for masculine names ; Vilĉjo= Willie AN inhabitant, partisan; kristano=a Christian EBL possibility; vidi=Zo see; videbla=zasz'W<: EC abstract quality; be\a—beautiful; be\eco—beauty EG increased degree or size; gxaxidega—immense EJ place of action; \exxxb=to learn; \exxie]o=school EM tendency, inclination; \aboxexna=industrious ER a unit of a collection; xxiox\o=money; monero=a coin ESTR a leader or head ; urbo=«7/y/ urbestro=OTayor ET diminution of size or degree; vireto=a tiny man ID offspring; kato=a cat, katido=a kitten IG to cause to become; xiĉa=rich; riĉigi=ro enrich Iĝ to become ; riĉiĝi=ro "get rich" IL tool, means, instrument; kudri=seza,' kudrilo=a needle IN the feminine; frato=orother; fratino=sz'strr IND denotes worthiness; kredinda=worr7zy of belief »o ^ holder for single article ; cigaxingo=cigar-holder •ST a person occupied with ; kantisto=a singer NJ diminutive for feminine names; paxi]o—mamma UJ that which contains ; kremujo=a cream pitcher UL one having the quality of; gTandulo=a large person COUNT TOLSTOY ON ESPERANTO When asked, some years ago, for his opinion on Esper- anto, Count Tolstoy replied as follows: "There cannot exist the slightest doubt that mankind tends ever to form but one family, having for sole guides wisdom and love, and that one of the best means of attaining to this ideal is to arrive at a mutual com- prehension. But, in order that all the peoples may comprehend one another, it is necessary either that all the languages should reduce themselves to a single one, which can happen but after a very long time:—if in- deed ever. Or, that all shall choose a language, the study of which shall be obligatory to each ppople. Or, finally, as the partisans of Esperanto suppose, that all men of all nations shall adopt and understand an inter- national language, artificial and simple. This last hy- pothesis appears to me the most reasonable, the most serious, the most easy to be realized. "I have found Esperanto very simple;—as indeed every European must find it. It is so easy to understand, that when I received, some six years since, a grammar, a dictionary, and some articles in this language, I was able, in two short hours, if not to write, at any rate, to read, the language fluently. "In any event, the sacrifices any speaker of a Euro- pean tongue would make, in devoting some time to the study of Esperanto, are so small, and the results which could thereby be achieved so enormous, if all, at least, the Europeans and Americans—all Christendom—should comprehend this tongue, that the attempt, at least, should be made. "I have often thought that there is no more Christian seienee than the study of languages, that study which permits of our communicating and allying ourselves with an incalculable number of our fellow men, and I have often remarked how people bear themselves as en- emies to one another, solely because they have no means of intercommunication. The study of Esperanto, then, and its diffusion, is assuredly a Christian labor, which hastens the coming of the kingdom of God, the main—I should sav the onlv—aim of human life." Two new Esperanto societies have been founded in New York City. They announce that they intend to devote no time to theories or fads, but will carry on an active and enthusiastic campaign for Esperanto. Esperanto will he the official language of the Inter- national Congress of Dentists, to be held in Berlin this year. The necessity for using Esperanto in internation- al congresses is being recognized everywhere, and an international gathering where five or six languages are used and two-thirds of the time of the members wasted in translating the remarks of a speaker into the tongues of the other nationalities present, will soon he unknown. The International Peace Office in Berne, (Switzer- land), is offering a prize of $300 for the best statement, in the form of a text hook suitable for schools, of the principles of the Peace movement. Manuscripts will he accepted in French, German, English, Italian, or Esperanto. During a recent meeting of the Cosmopolitan Club of the University of Missouri, one of the principal fea- tures was an address in Esperanto by a young Rouman- ian, who explained the great progress which is being made in his country by the international language. The Esperanto Pocket Calendar for 1009 gives a list of over 175 magazines and journals published in Esper- anto since the appearance of the language. The Minister of Education of Japan is contemplating the introduction of instruction in Esperanto into the schools of the Island Empire. The Japanese feel the need of an international language more than other people and on that account are very enthusiastic about Esperanto. In Japan, Esperanto is now meeting with ureat success. During the last congress of Esperantists, held in Dresden, Germany, last August, the Japanese government was officially represented, its delegate be- ing Dr. Shimura, of the Imperial University. ■ ~:^*'!!|fJrWr: ■ ESPlRANf 0 BTJLLETln February igog THE PRESENT YEAR Reports received from all parts of tho world indicate that the Esperanto movement everywhere is gaining ground as never before. New societies are being formed, the language is being introduced in many countries in- to schools and universities, international congresses and associations are adopting it, and in every way our pres- ent progress is encouraging and prosperous. Many new- journals have been established, among others, organs of the movement in Norway and Cuba, The international congress to be held this year in Barcelona, Spain, and the congress of American Esperantists will show most conclusively the strength of Esperanto and encourage Esperantists to renewed ellbrts for the realization of our objects. In this country especially, the outlook is bright. The national association is' increasing in strength and influence and the movement is strong and united. Indications are that Esperanto will soon be introduced officially into a number of schools and uni- versities in the United States. The year 11)09 is an important one in "the history of Esperanto, since the progress to be mfeae in this year will mark the beginning of the final complete accept- ance of Esperanto as the international medium of in- tercommunication for the whole world, and will make that acceptance certain. In every land, in none more than in the United States, Esperantists are optimistic and enthusiastic, and are redoubling their energy and activity. For the calamity bowler and knocker, they have no use, and with final victory, the end of the long and difficult struggle for the world's recognition, in sight, they are working in unity and confidence. JOIN "THE ASSOCIATION ALL Good Esperantists ought to be members of the Es- peranto Association of North America—the representa- tive organization which conducts examinations, is go- ing to publish a directory of Esperantists (with your name, if you are a member) and is the official represen- tative of the American movement with the foreign or- ganizations. The annual dues are only 25 cents. A full list of the new members is published every month in Amerika Esperantisto, the official journal. Subscribe for the. journal now at $1.00 a year, and include an extra 25 cents for membership in the Association. Then fall to work and organize a local Esperanto society in your own community. A bill is now before the legislature of the State of Texas, providing for the instruction of Esperanto in the high schools of Texas. Plans are being laid which will make the second an- nual congress of American Esperantists, to be held in August, the greatest national Esperanto congress ever held in any country. Hundreds of Esperantists will be present, and will not only have a thoroughly enjoyable time, but will have their enthusiasm for Esperanto in- creased tenfold by this practical demonstration of the strength and importance of the movement. One of the latest additions to the literature of Esper- anto is a translation of the Four Evangels, the first four books of the New Testament, worked into one con- nected narrative. It will prove of interest and value to many Esperantists. The Gregg shorthand, the system most widely used in this country, is being adapted to Esperanto and the pro- ceedings of the Esperanto congress at Chautauqua will be reported in this system. During the year 1908, Esperanto was made a part of the regular curriculum in forty public schools of Great Britain. In spite of the holiday season, when the Esperanto propaganda is a litttle less ardent than at other tjmes, the Esperanto Association of North America broke all records in December, with 271 new members. Booksellers of Pittsburg report a sale of over 500 text books of Esperanto during the latter half of 1908. This is aside from 200 sold by the local society and tho large quantity sold by mail. ESPERANTO BULLETIN A little monthly newspaper. Its object J , is to put the latest information on Es ; peranto into the hands of those who are j ' interested, but have not taken up the j study. The subscription rates are : Per •* f\ 5toone^(" lOtooneprj _ , lyearXUC address ^SDC address «JUL-i $1.00 For twenty copies a full year to one address $1.00! 'INTRODUCTION " a ten-cent, 32 , .'TO ESPERANTO" g& ffi^Sj j concise language, printed in large type, a care-j 1 ful analysis of Esperanto for the beginner. Any I ' person who has read the Introduction and who j eceives the Bulletin, may consider himself well informed on this most vital and interesting topic I Combination Price only Bulletin and! Introduction 1 ] The purposes of these two publications coincide 1 ■ nicely—in fact the Introduction was especially I ' made for circulation with the Bulletin. We give 1 the two in combination for 15 cents. For brevity 1 1 and convenience in our advertising and in your 1 1 orders, this is designated : Bulletin Combination I REWARDS TO WORKERS Among our workers are professors, scientists, lawyers, judges, bankers, physicians, members of legislatures, army and navy officers of high rank ; in fact no Esperantist feels it beneath his dignity to help spread our publications. Will you help? Our best offer to workers is : The American Esperanto Book, a 320-page home-study book, and Amerika Esperantisto, a monthly magazine in English and Esperanto, official organ of the movement in North America. The price of the book in cloth is $1.00, and of the magazine alone $1.00 a year. The price of the two in combina- tion is $1.50. 1 We will give you For securing Bulletin or FREE postpaid Bulletin Combination the following subscriptions to the net 1 REWARDS CASH AMOUNT OF 1.50 1 2.5O 1 PRIZE OFFER American Esperanto Book (paper) Jf With Amerika Esperantisto 6 months With Amerika Esperantisto 1 year American Esperanto Book, cloth, and Amerika Esperantisto one year 1 If you already have book and magazine, take your 1 ' own selections from our current Book List, up to 30 per ceut of amount sent in. Order your 1 ) premiums zvhen you send the. list, and avoid1 \ confusion. We furnish blanks free. /^TT^p fiTTT' or copy tiiis subscription form and V_IJ i UU1 have addresses PLAINLY written ' American Ksperantist Co. 235 If. 40th St., Chicago. Send tile Bulletin (or Bulletin Combination as , \ indicated) to the following addresses. Enclosure S ,