EM MWSLETTER NEWS OF THE LANGUAGE PROBLEM AND ESPERANTO AS A SOLUTION July-August 1985 STRANGA FENOMENO OKAZANTA CIUSOMERE EN SAN FRANCISCO Kio? Esperanto Kursaro je 4 niveloj Kiu? Teamoj de 3 konataj profesoroj por kursanoj el foraj kaj malforaj mondpartoj Kiam? Tri semajnoj en monato julio Kie? La abelujo kie ili ĉiuj sindediĉe laboras estas San Francisco Ŝtat-Universitato Kiel? Zumas konstanta elfluo de energio, ne nur el komputiloj sen el du partoprenanto Kial? Car el tiu grava strebo al klereco venos la estontaj motoroj de la movado - tiuj kiuj kontribuas al diversaj fakoj en kaj ekster la movado. INSIDE: Esperanto in the Media San Francisco State Photos Gaja Paĝo Machine Translation - D L T Language in the News Poetry Corner ESPERANTO «N THE MEDIA Beyond Trivia - Have you seen the fascinating entry on Esperanto in Simon & Schuster's new, "witty, frisky" trade paperback book Beyond Trivia, which the Boston Globe declares "makes for such good reading that some people might even prefer it to the game." World Literature Today, a literary quarterly of the University of Oklahoma-Norman (Autumn 1984) carried a review by Humphrey Tonkin, president, SUNY-Potsdam, on Kiuj Semas Plorante (Tofalvi- Knichal). Winner of the Raymond Schwartz Prize, the novel evolves against a backdrop of Europe in the 30's, "a fascinating and ominous period in the history of Esperanto-a language labeled by Hitler in Mein Kampf as the language of the international Jewish conspiracy." "There are few fictional works in Esperanto that deal directly with the Esperanto movement. The authors of Kiuj Semas Plorante,,.join Baranyai, Forge, and Beaucaire in turning their attention to the lives, and deaths, of Esperantists. Their work is accordingly not only a significant contribution to the novel in Esperanto but also an important analysis of a part of Esperanto history that many, wrongly, would prefer to ignore." QST, a magazine for amateur radio fans (June) featured an article by Ed Lindberg, W2CIL, "Whatever Happened to Esperanto?" He tells of studying Esperanto in 1925 from lessons in Radio News magazine and contacting Esperantist hams. He and Rudi Bartosch of Austria were early members of ILERA (International League of Esperanto-speaking Radio Amateurs). [Ed. Note: Radio amateurs contacted foreign "hams" from the World Esperanto Convention at Augsburg, West Germany daily August 3-10.] Esperanto Plays Broadway! The new Broadway play "AS IS" by William M. Hoffman (a Tony nominee for Best Play) contains a line of special interest. While visiting a patient in a hospital, a man starts doing a crossword puzzle. Unable to fill in the word for a "Jewish roll", he seeks help from the patient —a writer and a vast repository of information. The patient provides the correct word "bialy" (a flat onion bread or roll) and explains that the name derives from the town of Bialystok, Poland, the birthplace of Ludvik Zamenhof, creater of the "artificial universal language Esperanto." (reported by Rochelle F. Grossman) Radio Station KRLD, Dallas, aired several times an interview with Michael Jones May 16 about his translation of an article by "Co Bab Brigz" which appeared recently in "La Kancerkliniko." Hiroshima: The Aftermath, John Hersey [The New Yorker, July 15). Hersey recounts the experiences of a young Dr. Masakazu Fujii whose hobby of foreign language study - including English - made him popular with our occupying forces. The doctor was also an Esperantist-a fact which during WWII led to frequent questioning by the Japanese secret police, who considered Esperanto "a dangerous language." Marx Brothers at the Circus, currently in TV re-runs has a line where Groucho introduces a fashionable woman with the line "she will mumble a little double- talk in Esperanto," Falcon Flash, the Abbott Middle School (San Mateo CA) newspaper headlined in June: "Mrs. V-W, Esperanto Poet, World Citizen/Traveler." Dori Vallon- Wheeler, teacher recently honored by the Abbott PTA, now has a place in Esperanto history for a moving poetic work pleading for compassion in human relations. The poem, dealing with a tragedy growing out of Watts in the Sixties, was polished during her advanced Esperanto studies at San Francisco State. Mrs. "V-W" is one of 163 poets from 35 countries who have contributed 706 poems written originally in Esperanto to Esperanta Antologio, a 887-page volume. Published as part of the celebration of the Esperanto Centennial. Edited by poet William Auld of Scotland, published by Universal Esperanto Association, Rotterdam, and printed in China, it makes Dori part of a truly international collaboration. Twin City Times (Riverdale CA) May 8 featured a story about Mary Gibson and the two banners she created for the 40th anniversary of Hiroshima observance in Washington. One beautifully designed banner read: "Esperanto - Language for Peace." A China News Service stating that more than 200,000 Chinese are studying Esperanto appeared in the Monterey Peninsula Herald and the Press-Democrat, Santa Rosa CA on May 20. The New York Times (May 23) carried a letter by Betty Manson "Filling the Gap with Esperanto." Mrs. Manson reacted to James Reston's May 5 column which pointed out our innocence not only of history but also of languages. She described the role Esperanto is designed to play as a common second language. ABONU AŬ REABONU La Ĉinan Monatan Gazeton en Esperanto EL POPOLA ĈINIO Twelve thick issues a year via Airmail, each with three large color sections. EPĈ contains material about the People's Republic of China, the national Esperanto movement, and on the international Esperanto move- ment as well. 1985 prices: 1 Year $10.00 2 Years $17.00 5 Years $24.00 El Popola Ĉinio is one of the most outstanding Esperanto publications in the world. Look it over and you'll agree! Subscribe through your local agents ELNA CENTRAL OFFICE BOX 1129 EL CERKITO, CA 94530 GAJA PAGO USONAJ TRAVIVAĴOJ - Nikola Raŝiĉ (Zagreb) Kiu ne konas Usonon? Tiom da filmoj venas el tiu lando, ĉiutage pri ĝi en la gazetoj, televido; ĝian lingvon kaj kulturon oni ĉie studas kaj ĉie oni pagas per ĝiaj verdaj dolaroj. Tiom proksima kaj intima ĝi ŝajnas al mi. Sed ŝajnas. ĉi kaŝas en si kelkajn ŝokajn sekretojn por ĉiuj eksterlandanoj. Unue la lingvo kiun mi kredis bone koni. Ne senkiale iu verkisto diris ke Usono kaj Britio estas du nacioj dividitaj per la komuna lingvo! Sed dank' al la Majstro mi vojaĝis al Usono esperante. Cetere ankoraŭ foje pruviĝis ke Esperanto estas bonega helpilo por homoj kiuj opinias scii la anglan. Sed, dank' al miaj lingvistaj spertoj post unu monato mi ellernis dirt "dankon" kaj postuli manĝi en tiu por mi nova kaj neordinara lingvaĵo. Dua afero kiu ŝokas estas ke ĉie en tiu lando troviĝas aparatoj tre similaj al niaj telefonoj, eĉ kun simpla funkcio sed fakte temas pri inteligentaj estaĵoj. Oni povas fari nenion per tiu maŝino sen audi voĉon kun instrukcioj kion fari. Dum du horoj mi kverelis kun tiuj voĉoj lernante uzi la aparaton. Poste oni diris al mi ke temis pri aŭtomatoj. En la resto de la mondo oni kutime devas havi monon por telefoni. En Usono tio tute ne nepras. Oni povas telefoni je kosto de la numero vokata kaj mi abunde uzis tiun eblecon ĉiutage vokante miajn malamikojn kaj bopatrinon kiuj ne scias la usonan lingvon krom JES per kiu ili respondadis al la nekompreneblaj demandoj ĉu ili pagos la alvokon. Krome oni povas meti en telefonon iun pecon de plastiko ("kredit-karto") kaj paroli. Poste mi en Zagreb ŝtopis ĉiujn telefonojn per plastikafoj sed tamen ili ne reagis. Tria usona ŝokaĵo estas la mono. Ŝajnas ke usona dolaro estas uzata nur ekster Usono. Kial ĝi do nomiĝas "usona"? Eble simila afero kiel tiu pri la "franca salato" kiu ekzistas en ĉiijj landoj krom en Francio?! Usonanoj ĉion pagas per ĉekoj aŭ plastikaj kredit-kartoj. Oni ne portas la monon kun si laudire, pro tio ke oni ne rabu la monon. Kaj vere ef ike! Oni ne plu ŝtelas monon, oni nun ŝtelas la kreditkartojn. Ĉiu kreditkarto en Usono estas ĉiopova konsidere ke ĝi nomiĝas Uson-ekspreso; ĝfn, kompreneble, mi ĝuste havis naive kredante ke la nomo ion signifas. Sed Usonanoj estas tute nepatriotaj kaj ekceptas ĝin tre malofte. Sed dank' al la ĉielo oni ĉie akceptas ĉekojn de Usona ekspreso. La ĉekojn povas ricevi ĉiu posedanto de la karto. Au pli bone, preskaŭ ĉiu. Nur unu lando en la mondo ne havas kontrakton pri ĉekoj kun la usona registaro. Jes, fiere mi agnoskas: mi estas civitano de ĝuste tiu lando! Tiel okazis, ke mi en Usono restis sen financoj. Sed la esperantista solidareco neniam perfidas: samideanoj pruntedonis al mi kvincent dolarojn da kontanto por pagi la hotelon. Sed la kasistoj tie afable eksplikis al mi, ke ilia hotelo ne akceptas kontanton! Oni proponis al mi uzi la karton, ricevi la ĉekojn ktp. Mi, kiu neniam antaŭe tenis en la manoj tioman riĉecon, rigardis la verdan monon ne kredante ke ĝi povas esti tiom senvalora. Sed fine ĉio ordiĝis kaj mi ricevis mian salajroĉekon de la ŝtata banko. Bonega ĉeko, ĉiuj diris sed tamen mi devis lerni ke per ĝi oni povas pagi nenion krom meti ĝin en bankon aŭ ŝanĝi ĝin. Ne senesperiĝinte mi kuris al la banko por ŝanĝi la Cekon. Oni konsilis al mi ne.ŝanĝi ĝin en monon sed en: ĉekojn! Sed tiuj aliaj ĉekoj nun estas uzeblaj por pagado! Nu bone, mi faru tion, mi diris al la bankoficistino. -"Bone, nur dim la numeron de via konto." -"Sed mi ne havas konton en Usono!" -"Kiel: ne havas? Ĉiu ja havas konton!" -"Sed mi estas eksterlandano! - Kio? Eksterlandano?" -"Preskau tiel. Mi nek havas konton nek volas havi ĝin." -"Mi bedaŭras tiam." -"Atendu! Ĉu mi povas malfermi la konton ĉe vi?" -"Jes, ja. Nur donu al mi du legitimilojn." -"Du?" mi ekkriis. "Kial DU?" -"Du", sonis la trankvila respondo. -"Sed mi havas nur unu. Mian pasporton! Lau la internaciaj leĝoj gi estas la sola legitimilo por eksterlandanoj." -"Neeblas." -"Jes, sed kredu min ke ekzistas strangaj landoj-eĉ plejmulto da ili en la mondo, en kiuj ne ekzistas du legitimiloj." -"Mi ne kredas, sed tio ne gravas. Nenio el via ĉeko." Poste mi eksciis ke mi havis mian uson- ekspresokarton kiu povis servi kiel identigilo. Ĝi tamen utilis! Sed post garantiado de mia usona amiko per alia kredita karto! Do, ne portu dolarojn en Usono! Pri alia valuto tute ne pensu. Usonanoj eĉ ne kredas ke ĝi ekzistas. Ili ne kredas ke ekzistas usona dolaro. Ili, pli precize, tute ne kredas ke ekzistas mono. "Unue estis la vorto..." diras la Biblio. Usonanoj kredas ke temas pri preseraro kaj ke devus esti: "Unue estis la karto...". Vojaĝante al Usono, parolu Esperanton, havu la karton! (el OVO, No. 2) LANGUAGE IN THE NEWS Taiwan and the Language Problem According to Dr. David Jordan, just finishing a sabbatical year in Taiwan, "English teaching hasn't been producing very good results in recent years. Now at last the government has taken action; they are going to reduce the amount of it. English will remain compulsory in the 7th and 8th grades but as part of a general liberalization of the curriculum. Students who elect not to continue with English thereafter will be allowed to drop it and spend their time taking something more useful. It will still be the case that nobody learns English decently in high school, but at least fewer millions of hours of human effort will be spent trying." From a graduation address by Catholic University President William j. Byron, S.j. at Tunghai University in Taiwan last June: "You are paying me the great compliment of permitting me to speak in my native tongue, English...without your willing attention, I would not be able to come here to share in the happiness of your commencement. So I thank you for both the compliment and the honor, and I apologize for my inability to enter more fully into your culture through the medium of your language. "Permit me to speak...about the importance of language for international cooperation on the two great issues of our time; promoting peace and eliminating poverty. "Peace is possible...if all human hands were empty of excess anxiety, of surplus possessions and of the weapons of war, human beings could reach out in friendship to one another. What is needed most of all for this to happen is trust. And language is the latticework of trust." WALL STREET JOURNAL (Mar 15) carried the following item: "Ever Since Ataturk, Talking Turkey Is More Complicated: Drive to Purify the Language Led to Some Odd Results..." "Ankara - In the beginning was the word, and the word was 'ah' and it was uttered by a Turk. "This first word escaped the lips of a tribesman in the steppes of Central Asia as a gasp of wonder at the majesty of the sun. All human language proceeded from that single grunt. "So proclaimed Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, in one of the most historically dubious but politically astute linguistic theories of all time. "It was 1936, and Ataturk had a problem. Six years earlier, he had called upon the nation to help him purge Turkish of foreign words and replace them with derivatives of their own tongue Amateur scholars all over the country leaped into action. The result was mass confusion." According to Hasan Eren, president of the Turkish Language Society, they no longer take literally the admonition that the Turkish nation must liberate its language from the yoke of foreign languages. "There's no point in trying to eliminate words that have become embedded in spoken Turkish or that have no Turkish equivalent, like 'xylophone'. What else can you say but'xylophone'?" WANTED - A Language to Link Alt of Us Jim Biddulph, writing in Asia Magazine July, 1984 speaks of the widespread study of English and observes "The very thought is enough to make any nationalist anywhere go purple in the face. "However, ! do not think those purple-faced nationalists need worry too much, because Asia has a way of making things its own and whatever English may do in theory, in practice it will probably be absorbed into the cultural fabric of whatever country is concerned and in another 50 years will have disappeared without trace. "Japan is a good example. Following its defeat in World War II and the American occupation, Japan was probably subject to the most intensive barrage of English language that any developed nation has ever experienced. The barrage has left remarkably few Japanese with any ability to speak English, but has spattered their language with the corpses of English words. "Secondhand has become sekohan, typewriter taipu, mechanism is makeh, competition is kompe, and so on. "Or take the Philippines, where it is only half a century ago that English took over from Spanish as the medium of instruction. Yet already, you have observers in Manila bemoaning the 'rapid and irreversable decline in the quality of English taught in our schools.' "I am grateful to a Manila journalist for putting a new word in my vocabulary; agrupation, which he defined as 'an assembly of people with a common aim.'...the biggest contribution of the Philippines toward making English a local dialect is in pronunciation. When 'macabre' comes out as 'mack-a- burr' and 'ceremony' as 'sir-emony', you realize that it is no longer a matter of English taking over the Philippines, but the Philippines taking over English." Mr. Biddulph quotes Sinnathamby Rajaratnam of Singapore who expresses the need for a common language thusly: "You need a link language through which the wisdom of other languages can be communicated to all." (Jim Buddulph is a former BBC correspondent who now runs a freelance news agency from Hong Kong.) ESPERANTO SEEN AS ANSWER TO BABELiZATlON Although Esperanto has a literature of tens of thousands of titles, ranging from the Holy Bible to Winnie La Pu, those with vested interests continue to echo the scepticism of George Klebnikov, head of the U.N. interpretation service in New York, who claims "nobody speaks that language." But there are those who know better, such as the International Cybernetics Association which has voted to make Esperanto a working language along with English and French and has five Esperanto speakers on its nine- member Board of Directors. Some think that, as the computer scientists go, so goes the world. A "dream trip" to Switzerland by jane Smith, staffer for the Meadville (PA) Tribune Feb. 29, 1984, was marred by the language barrier. Smith wrote, "At St. Moritz, the owners of the chalet did not speak English" and there were problems with cab drivers. "Many times that week", she wrote, "we ended up ordering lasagne or ice cream or something we could recognize. "One day we discussed going wind surfing. The price listed in the brochure was relatively inexpensive, but the price for a 'motorboat rescue' was the equivalent of $40. We decided with our limited language, we would probably drown before anybody could understand what we were hollering! We passed that up...I took an eight-hour tour to Italy and don't know what I saw for at least seven and a half hours...We went to the train station to return to Zurich. The agent didn't speak English. We kept trying to get our luggage checked through and couldn't understand a word and they couldn't understand us. We finally pointed to our tickets, provided by the company, and told her to send the luggage there. We prayed she understood. The luggage had all our souvenirs. We got on the train, again hoping it was the right one. At the train station, everybody is in a hurry. Nobody has time for patience as they must get the luggage and patrons on the trains. Nobody had time to try to figure out what two crazy American tourists are saying. I wondered if it might help to cry, but decided they still wouldn't have time, so we braved it out and got on the train. Then we weren't sure where to get off...we got on the airplane for home, fastened our seatbelts and listened to the instructions from the captain. Now going over, the captain gave instructions in several languages, but always English first. Coming home, the instructions were given in about eight languages, none of which we recognized. English was given LAST. "My friend said, 'You know this plane could catch on fire and we would be burned to death before we knew what the captain said.' I arrived back home safe and sound. But think of all the questions we could have asked." LETTER TO THE EDITOR Reacting to Roy McCoy's editorial in Esperanto Studies Association Newsletter (Feb.), "What Shall We Call It?" (carried in ELNA Newsletter May-June), the Editor has received the following: "Esperanto is a language and its stature is not really changed by diddling with the question of whether it should be referred to as "international" or "intercultural". If there is controversy on this point, it smacks of the proverbial tempest in a teaport. There are really more fruitful issues than the possibility of exchanging one label for another." Richard Swerdlin, Associate Professor, College of Education, N. Texas State U., Denton CAPTIONS FOR PHOTOS ON PAGES 6 & 7 1. SFSU students at evening games: Billy Waldon (CA); John Cunningham (MA); Curt Ford and Liz Warner (CA) 2. Music with James Boggs (CA), Terry Methereall (Australia) 3. Evening songs 4. Chris and Michael Gerbosi (CA) 5. Pippa Charters gets in on folk dancing at the Schulze's garden party 6. Liz Warner (CA); Gil Wilder (MA); Hyman Meltz (FL) 7. Chow time at SFSU: Erna Sheppard (Canada); John Cunningham (MA); Ellen Eddy (WA); Virginia Stewart (OR); Holly Lewis (CO); Ann Thomas (NM) 8. Honeymooners Betsy & John Cunningham at SFSU 9. Don Coleman, Karen Mason, John Hench (CA); Ellen Eddy (WA), at the Harmon Barbeque. 10. Bill Harmon heats the coals, aided by Don Coleman 11. Philip Marra (PA); Kevin Carney (CA); Karen Swenson (IL); Mark Stephens (TX) 12. Neal McBurnett (CO); Dori Vallon-Wheeler (CA) 13. Billy Waldon and James Boggs (CA) at the Harmon Barbeque 14. Mr. & Mrs. Joaquim Bartra and daughter Vannessa, of Peru 15. Stella and Calvin Cope (CA) 16. John Birmingham (VA) and Greg Wasson at the ELNA Book Service office 17. Terry Metherail (Australia); Nita Jones (UT); Charlotte Kohrs (CA); Elisabeth Hicken (AZ) at the ELNA office 18. Harriet Richmond (WA) selects books to take home 19. Moshe Lewin (NY) and Lusi Harmon (CA) 20. Edna Stein (CA) 21. Amri Wandel (U. of MD) of the teaching team 22. James Cool (OH) teaching class 23. The three teachers, Drs. Wandel, Cool & Charters, evaluating exams 24. Duncan Charters makes a point for his class 25. Fran Ancona (CA); Gary Norris (Canada); Harlan & Alice Van Camp (NM) at first day briefing 26. Minerva Massen & Martin Parian (CA) perform a skit 27. Virginia Stewart & Ellen Eddy act out a humorous skit they have written 28. Liz Warner & John Cunningham collaborate on a skit 29. Charlotte Kohrs (CA); Charles Hall (UT) 30. Prenda Cook (TX) 31. Ann Thomas and Holly Lewis 32. Holly Lewis (CO) and Elisabeth Hicken (AZ) at computer center 33. John Cunningham explains the mysteries of the computerized Esperanto lessons developed by James Deer and associates to Liz Warner (CA) 34. Gary Norris (Canada) and Eric Hewitt (Australia) perform for the group 35. Elizabeth Grimm (CA) and Wilbur Scrivnor (Ml) pay close attention to Dr. Charters's instruction 36. Tony Navarra, John Hench, Ed Williger and Curt Ford (CA) in a serious mood 37. Erna Harris (CA) takes that exam seriously 38. Ed Williger (CA); Kay McCashney (Australia) and Karen Swenson (IL) in class skit 39. Virginia Stewart (OR) with teacher Amri Wandel 40. J. Tilman Williams (CA) takes a last look at the exam 41. Erna Sheppard (Canada) takes exams in stride PAGITA REKLAMO Nia mondo estas parto de la kosma evoluo. La homoj devas partopreni en profunda meditado por disvastigi spritan harmonion. Ni devas konservi ĉiujn religiajn instruojn, kiuj celas al harmonio inter la popoloj. Se ni pensas kosme, niaj ĉimondaj problemoj malpliiĝas, kaj estos perspektivo por vera paco. Deziras trovi homojn kun similaj ideoj por korespondado s-ro John Kailenta, 83 Kemball Ave., Staten Island NY 10314. mm W} Ms&gm&m. wbs^^B/^^^^^^M WJ11B pt * /lli SSL 5^7%J ■■■■ «L jlti ^ i , -• - - *» tfH^I *■ »»j 11 ^g"~ _ L- j^s^-^CJ 14 ._»g n 19 SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY - SUMMER 1985 (Photos: Vallon-Wtioelor) (For photo caption», see page 5) LOCAL NEWS CALIFORNIA: Garden Grove - j. Tilman Williams and Folio Kim conduct weekly classes. San Diego - Alberta Casey received a lively flow of inquiries from ads placed in various Catholic periodicals. Mrs. Casey is U.S. agent for Espero Katolika. Charles Hall, president of the Intermountain Esperanto Group, delivered a genealogical lecture in San Diego June 29. Alberta Casey arranged for Mr. Hall to meet local Esperantists. Prizewinners for the Esperanto contest at Francis Parker School were: Michael Geroe, $100; Allison Shue, $50. All contestants received Charlotte Kohrs's book Ni Parolu Esperanton Kune. Judges were Mary Gates, Bernie Frost, Frank Helmuth, and Bob Holland. San Francisco - Carol Khadjenouri, Resource Teacher at International Studies Academy, described the program at this new high school at the SFERO June meeting. Students are required to study 4 years of foreign language, World Perspectives, Global Issues, and standard high school curriculum. ILLINOIS: Chicago - Kent Jones teaches a continuation course each Sunday using Boulton's Faktoj kaj fantazioj. Speaking at a reception by Chicago Esperantists, Mr. Yoshimi Urneda, Vice-president of the Universal Esperanto Association, Rotterdam, said: "I can speak English but I always feel more at home in Esperanto, because I can express my feelings better. If I have a problem while here, I know I have friends I can call on for help..." Mr. Umeda is a Tokyo businessman and was visiting Chicago representing his company. He talked about the language barrier in international business. He went on to say that Europeans complain they don't understand the Japanese use of English. Europeans have suggested that the Japanese advertise in Esperanto and let people in each country translate it into the appropriate language. Mr. Umeda related that a leading Japanese electrical company ran a full-page ad for two days in a leading newspaper, using some Esperanto text and mentioning Zamenhof. Asked how many Japanese know about Esperanto, he replied, "I cannot give an exact figure, but this ad reached 8,000,000 readers. Also it cost the company $120,000 to run and they would not do this if they did not think it would appeal to a large number of people." He went on to say that Japanese children read about Zamenhof in their sixth- grade readers. (Jamie Laux in Saluton, May) INTERMOUNTAIN ESPERANTO GROUP (EG!) Boulder, CO - BE LA (Boulder Esperanto-Lingva Asocio), our newest club, is making contacts with sister city clubs in Nicaragua, China and possibly the Soviet Union. They have arranged for showing the Steve Allen "World of Esperanto" tape at the library. Boulder Cable TV arranged to screen the Steve Allen tape 10 times during June. Albuquerque - Charlene Baker reports the Senkrokodila Semajnfino in the form of a recipe: RECEPTO - Ingrediencoj: Kabano en montaro; Esperantistoj el diversal ŝtatoj; lerta, sperta instruisto; kameno, fajrligno; bona manĝajo; ludoj, muziko, kantoj, montrajoj. Miksmaniero: Kunmetu dum du, tri tagoj; laboru kune en la kuirejo, kunmanĝu, kunpurigu; sercu bonhumore, ridu konstante; parolu, legu, skribu, ludu, konkursu. Dormu iomete se necesas. Rezultoj: Forta, feliĉa grupo; plibonigitaj kapabloj uzi Esperanton; Pliriĉigitaj amikecoj, nove trovitaj amikoj; alia sukcesega Senkrokodila Semajnfino. MASSACHUSETTS: Pittsfield - Total Submersion Day, May 9, led by Allan Boschen, attracted participants from Vermont, Boston, and Pittsfield. MICHIGAN: Rochester - Local signature drive for a U.S. postage stamp commemorating the Esperanto Centennial brought the following report from Sharon Lakosky: "Hoping to disseminate information about Esperanto as we gathered signatures for the commemorative stamp petition at a local shopping mall, we were prepared with a variety of brochures and SFSU summer course flyers. Seated at a table which looked altogether too official and which was often mistaken for the blood donor registration booth, i tried to summon my courage for the onslaught of questions. "The mood of the environs was reflected in the cheerful acceptance and probing, intelligent questions posed by those who stopped. To my delight, more than 200 signatures were acquired. Thus encouraged, I eagerly awaited the following week when we would be collecting signatures at a different shopping mall. "I arrived in time to relieve a member who had taken the early shift. He had the appearance of someone who had served a long tour of duty...no prior experience prepared me for what followed. On the whole, the reaction was one of shock that any language but English be considered 'international'. I was assigned questionable political leanings, given Biblical warnings, and had my patriotism questioned -all in the space of two hours. "However, as a result of our efforts, the Michigan members collected 350 signatures." MISSOURI: St. Louis Community College District offers Esperanto beginning September 13 at University City High School. Dr. Ronald Glossop will be the instructor. NEW YORK: Staten Island Advance July 11 reported that some 50 members of John Kailenta's family held its 63rd annual reunion at Monmouth College (NJ). Mr. Kailenta serves as an Esperanto resource person for some Staten Island elementary schools. MACHINE ESPERANTO: DLT SHIFTS INTO HIGH GEAR An exciting development for Esperanto is its practical application as a "pontlingvo" (bridging language) for machine translation of natural languages. This machine translation (MT) project goes under the name "Distributed Language Translation" (DLT) and is the brainchild of Mr. A.P.M. Witkam and the "Buro voor Systeemontwickeling", a Dutch software company, To the uninitiated, the idea of MT might seem like a threat to Esperanto. Actually, the idea that MT will save the day is unrealistic. In its 30 years of existence, MT has promised much and delivered little. There has been some progress, and a number of semi-practical MT projects may be found in Europe, Canada, Japan, and the U.S.A. For example, a MT system at Oak Ridge National Laboratory provides routine translation of Russian technical literature into English. The idea of using Esperanto in MT as the pontlingvo is not now; K. C. Sellin proposed it as far back as 1962. Now it is a reality: Esperanto and MT have joined hands to develop a powerful tool (DLT) to mitigate western Europe's multilingual woes. DLT is a very sophisticated project, but its basic concepts can be listed here. A test in a "source language" is fed into a desk-top computer, which analyzes and translates it into an Esperanto-based "interlingua", or intermediate language. The computer questions the typist to resolve ambiguities in the "source language." What the computer then stores is the Esperanto-based interlingual text. Translation of this into a "target language" is fully automatic. Thus we have: source language (SL) -« interlingua (IL) -« target language (TL). What is an "Esperanto-based interlingua"? Witkam describes this as a "modified subset of Esperanto". It turns out that Esperanto, although less ambiguous than the national languages, is not unambiguous enough to satisfy the computer. So DLT has modified it to remove ambiguities that the computer finds intolerable. For a detailed review of these modifications, see the excellent article on DLT by R. Eichholz in "Akademiaj Studoj 1985", pages 219-242. An English-language report issued on DLT is available. It was reviewed in ELNA Newsletter, May-June, 1985. The report is very interesting and informative, but its technical jargon may discourage those with no background in linguistics or MT. Is this "modified subset of Esperanto" some insidious plot to establish a computerized Ido, i.e., a rival planned language? Not at all. What is good for the computer is unsuitable for human language. For example, DLT takes Esperanto's precise prepositions and make them super-precise by prefixing many of them with "ie" or "iam" to show time or place, respectively: de, ie-de, iam-de. In addition, DLT's modified Esperanto features extremely rigid word order. This is necessary for computer processing, but neither Esperanto nor the national languages put such strict limits on word order. Indeed, Esperanto word order is quite free. Amazingly, Witkam and DLT have managed to have their cake and eat it too. They have come up with an Esperanto-based interlingua that looks very much like "common" Esperanto and yet is free from ambiguity. To see what little difference there is between common Esperanto and machine Esperanto, see if you can spot the one difference in each of the following sentences which shows that they are DLT's Esperanto: 1) Hi ne scias, kiel-do bona viando gustas. 2) Mi vidis la manĝadon de la muson. 3) Boligi ĉampanon estas interesa. Being a European project, DLT will first be applied to European languages. In comparison with other MT projects, DLT's Esperanto- based interlingua makes it ideal when a large number of languages are involved. To see this, consider the number of MT systems necessary for the seven languages of the European Economic Community (EEC): Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian; each language needs two systems (into, and out of, IL) so 14 systems are required. By way of contrast, a MT project without an interlingua would have to provide 42 systems for these languages. Thus, DLT is three times as efficient. DLT is a "per esperanto" and not a "por esperanto" project. Would this still justify interest in it on the part of Esperantists? Yes, for although the Esperanto-based interlingua is kept behind the scenes as far as the system users are concerned, a demand will probably develop to be able to input text directly in Esperanto. Thus, system users will find it beneficial to learn "la Intemacian Lingvon", and texts inputted directly in Esperanto will be much easier for DLT to analyze. Secondly, DLT will update Esperanto vocabularies in areas like business and technology. R. Eichholz, director of the Terminologia Centro of ISAE, is already collaborating with DLT in an official capacity. Last, but not least, DLT will provide employment opportunities for qualified Esperantists. It is already seeking Esperanto professionals in Europe with a background in linguistics. If I Had-a Knowed I Could-a Rode, I Would-a Went. "Truly Inspired Gibberish" was the title of an article by Donald Carroll in the New York Times (Nov. 15, 1984). Moving from Howard Cosell's description of Baltimore as "an imbued city" to this advice in the brochure of a Tokyo car rental firm: "When a passenger of foot heave in sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet at him melodiously first, but if he still obstacles your passage then tootle him with vigor." That should prepare you for the directions in a Belgrade elevator: "To move the cabin, push button for wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one should press number of wishing floor. Driving is then going alphabetically by national order." A Polish menu entices the diner with: "...limpid red beet soup with cheesy dumplings in the form of a finger; a slice of bovine meat; roasted duck let loose; beef rashers beaten up in the country people fashion." A Hong Kong dentist advertises: "Teeth extracted by the latest Methodists." In Jordan, a tailor warns: "Order your summers suit. Because is big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation." On to Oxford, England where the door of one public toilet was labeled "Men"; the other "Disabled". St. Louis Post-Uispatcn July io reportea a iaiK on Esperanto by Roan Orloff Stone at the Kathryn M. Linnemann Library in St. Charles. Mrs. Stone described the value of Esperanto as an aid to peace and understanding. "Eight nations broadcast to world's Esperantists" wai the title of an article in the Vancouver, B.C. Sun by E. W. Woodruff in response to a previous article "Battle of the Airways" about international broadcasting. OHIO: Columbus - Ohio State University is the recipient of the complete Esperanto book collection of the late Robert and Jane Wills. One of the largest Esperanto book collections in the country, the books may be taken out only by OSU faculty, students, alumni and Friends of the Library. NEKROLOGE HERBERT G. BROWN, Eastpoint FL Niaj kondolencoj iras al la familio de S-ro Brown. TOM HAXBY, Missouri. Ni bedaŭras la forpason de s-ro Haxby. HELEN SCHERER, vidvino de Joseph Scherer, mortis 11 an majo. Niajn kondolencojn ni sendas al filinoj Heidi Doherty kaj Antoinette Middleton. ANNOUNCEMENTS Intermountain Esperanto Convention 11-13 October, Salt Lake City UT, Convention will be at Shiloh Inn, located in the center of everything. President Charles Hall announces a lively program prepared by the local committee: Public program, guest speakers, visit to the famous LDS Genealogy Library, the Salt Palace Convention-Sports Center, the Mormon Temple grounds, Mormon Tabernacle Choir Radio Broadcast, and much more. For details, write: Charles Hall, UTEGO, 872 E. 3300 S., Salt Lake City UT 84106. THE ROLE OF ESPERANTO IN THE COLLEGE CURRICULUM by Duncan Charters, Ph.D. - a 16-page paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Modern Language Association, Washington DC, December 1984. Available from ELNA for $1.50, postage prepaid. NOREK kunvenos 4-6 oktobro ĉe Ford Worden State Park, Port Townsend WA. La programo inkludos: Paroladon kaj fotojn pri Ĉinio far D-ro Harry Weiner; Dolĉa Emilino, la Esperanto-melodramo kiu ricevis la 3an premion en la UEA 1985 Beletra Konkurso. Por informo, skribu al: Wm. K. Gledsoe, 6002 NE 61st St., Seattle WA 98115. SUDKALIFORNIA SENKROKODILIGA SEMAJNFINO 20-22 septembro ĉe Camp Cedar Glen, Julian CA (60 mejloj nordoriente de San Diego). Por detaloj skribu al: Frank Helmuth, PO Box 918, Julian CA 92036. 1NTERLINGVISTIKA INFORMA SERVO - Pro la grava malsdano de la redaktoro, D-ro Artur Bormann, la Interlingvistika Informa Servo momente ne aperas, Ĉiujn demandojn bonvolu direkti al D-ro Werner Bormann, Scharst. 26, D-2050 Hamburg 80, F.R. Germany. 42a Internacia ĵunulara Kongreso de Esperanto okazos 14-21 aŭgusto 1986 en Neurim, Israelo. NEW AFRICAN GROUP welcomes penpals, used Esperanto periodicals, cassettes, etc. Contact: Francois AKPA S/C, instructor, Fangnon Jacqueline Ecole de Base de Cadjehoun Groupe "C", B.P. 434 Cotonon, Benino, Rep. Populaire de BENIN, Africa. TUTMONDA ESPERANTA BIBUOTEKISTA ASOCIO kies celo estas kunligi esperantistojn -bibliotekistojn, diskonigi Esperanton pere de la bibliotekoj de la mondo, kaj per Esperanto, helpi la laboron de ĉiaj bibliotekoj. Jarkotizo estas $7. Interesiĝantoj kontaktu Geoffrey King, provizora sekretario de TEBA, 228 Capworth St., London E10 7HL, Great Britain. TUTMONDA ESPERANTISTA VEGETARANA ASOCIO, fondita en 1908 de Lev Tolstoj, la rusa verkisto, eldonas la periodaĵon Esperantista Vegetarano. Usona peranto estas James Parkerson, 1207 Grace St. No. 8, Bakersfield CA 93305. Prof. Rafael A. Mejia O., Aptdo 47483, Caracas 1041-A, Venezuela, fakulo pri religio, hispana kaj Esperanto-lingvoj, pedagogio, kaj filozofio serĉas postenon eksterlande. VOLAS KORESPONDS ARGENTINA Argentina Esperanto-Lernejo, Casilla de Correo 278, 2000 Rosario, Argentina Escuela Americana de Esperanto, Casilla de Correo 165, 2600 Venado Tuerto, Santa Fe, Argentina BRAZIL Davis Queiroz Beco Boa Vista, 75-S. Raimundo, 69000 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil; bk, nova klubo. BULGARIA Filip Tlceo, Sevlievo 1-116, BG 5401, Bulgaria; naĝad- instruisto. Hobioj sporto, muziko, filatelo. loanna Senj, PK-16, BG-5000 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. 12-j knabino, bk. Sonja Senj, PK-16, BG-5000 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. 36-j infan-pedagogo. CHINA Wei Shan, Deputy Chief, Information and Reference Section, Changchun International Economic & Trade Institute, No. 62 Stalin St., Changchu, P.R. China. Xin Xiaoying, No. 5 Hon Chao Rd., Hangzhou, P.R. China. Volas kontakton kun radio amatoroj. Wang Xigen, Anhui Esperanto-Kolegio, P.O. Kesto 100, Universitato Anhui, Hefei, P.R. China. TEJO-ano. CZECHOSLOVAKIA Georgo Zindulka, Ĉ, Kopec 2/84, 63900 BRNO 11, Czechoslovakia. FINLAND Tapani Lappalainon, Kivalakotikyla, SF-37500 Lempaala, Finland. 27-j fraŭlo, filatelo, muziko, sporto. GERMAN DR. Hartmut Mittag, 1180 Berlin DDR, Friedrich-Wolf-Strasse 51. Teknika asistanto por meteorologio. Peter Flogel, Oderbrudistr. 11, 1055 Berlin DDR. Ĉiutaga vivo, Esperanto-movado. Sascha Hingst £e Schulze, Saksa Kuriero, Ringstrass3 71, DDR-7060 Leipzig, D.R. Germany. 14-j, interesiĝas pri aviadiloj, triangulaj flagetoj. Kaspar Mainz, 7024 Leipzig, Stockelstr. 7, DDR Germany. Muziko, danco, ŝako. 25-j GAMBIA Buba jadama, St. Augustine's High School, P.O. Box 463, Banjul, Gambia, W. Africa. HUNGARY johano Nagy, Nagykanizsa, Herman u.4.l.e.9a, Hungary H-6800. Ildiko Bosze, Ors vezer ter 15.5.21, Budapest, Hungary. Kun geknaboj 14-16 j. IRAN Mehrdad Keshtiara, Square Kashany~av Sangar, plak 132 Bakhtaran 67176, Iran. Studento, arto, muziko. Heimat-Fazel, Sahrekord, Av. Dr. Bahonar, Al: 67. No. 35 -cod post: 88167, Iran. 22j Giti Ahmad-nia, Kh. Zafar Kh. Khojand, Kh. Dolatshad K. Iraj 33, Tehran 19-166, Iran. Unuaranga Esperantisto. IVORY COAST S-ro N'Guessan, Youebale Camille, Faculte de deoit, BP V 179, Universite d'Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Africa. Studento de juro, muziko, lit. Pk, vojaĝado. JUGOSLAVIA Tomislav Stiploŝek, 41020 Zagreb, Vrgadski put 13, Jugoslavia. 40j, kol. usonajn pm KONGO S-ro Jean-Pierre Sozinho de Janeiro, B.P. 1841, Pointe noire, P.R. Kongo, Africa. Diplomita en katolika seminario; dez. studi int. ril. MALTA Franco Camilleri, 237 Mdina Rod, Qormi, Malta. 13j knabo, POLAND Pawet Dabek, 90-759 L6dz, ul. Zielona 69m.60 Poland. 31 j inĝeniero; sporto, tekniko, turismo, geografio, politiko. Zdankowski Marian, ul. Szkolme 7 rn 9, 11-731 Sorkwity, Poland. Inters. Esp. periodaĵojn; 9j filo Sebastian lernas 10 Esperanton. ESPERANTO LEAGUE FOR NORTH AMERICA - BOX 1129, EL CERRITO CA 94530 Enclosed is $________for Dnew Drenewal membership in ELNA for the year 1985. Enclosed is $________as my tax-deductible donation to ELNA. NAME __________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP Check correct category: DRegular ($25) DFamily ($37.50) DYouth (18 or under:$12.50) DStudent(full-time, 25 or under:$12.50) DSenior (65 or over:$15.00) DSustaining($50) DLife($500) DATE OF BIRTH (if applying for Youth, Student, or Senior Membership). TELEPHONED ]_ Radio Call Sign:. May we publish your telephone number in the ELNA Membrolisto*._ May we publish your address?_ LOCAL CLUBS EXCHANGING NEWSLETTERS: BERKELEA ESPERANTO-LIGO ("BEL"): Don Coleman, Pres., 390 James Bowie Court, Alamo CA 94507 BOULDER: Esperanto Language Assn., 4825 W. Moorhead Circle, Boulder CO 80303. CHICAGO: Esperanto Society of Chicago, P.O. Box 1698, Chicago IL 60690 COLORADO SPRINGS: Colorado Springs Esperanto Club, Nicole Wing, 1333 La Paloma Way, Colorado Springs CO 80906. FORT WORTH: Forth Worth Esperanto Group meets second Sunday each month at home of John & Margaret Humphreys, 7944 Colfax, Fort Worth TX 76134. INTERMOUNTAIN ESPERANTO GROUP: (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, UT, WY): Neal McBurnett, 4825 W. Moorhead Circle, Boulder CO 80303. LOS ANGELES: Esperanto Association of Los Angeles, Pres. William W. Glenny, 430 Peck Dr., Beverly Hills CA 90212 MICHIGAN: Esperanto Society of Michigan, P.O. Box 3011, Southfield Ml 48037. MISSOURI: Esperanto Society of St. Louis, Prof. Ronald Glossup, 8894 Berkay Ave., Jennings MO 63136 MONTANA: Montana Esperanto Society, Charles Tustin, PO Box 112, Coram MT 59913. NEW ENGLAND: Esperanto Society of New England, P.O. Box 44, Fayville MA 01745. OHIO: Esperanto Association of Central Ohio, Pres. John B. Massey, 1144 Kingsdale Terr., Columbus OH 43220. ORANGE COUNTY, CA: Esperanto Association of Orange County, P.O. Box 1538, Garden Grove, CA 92642. PORTLAND: Esperanto Society of Portland (ESPO): Pres. Dr. John Schilke, 184 Harding Blvd., Oregon City OR 97045. SACRAMENTO: Julie Dinnel, Editor, Eta C/ano, 2450-28th St., Sacramento CA 95822. SAN DIEGO: Esperanto Club of San Diego, Robert Holland, Pres., P.O. Box 17664, San Diego CA 92117. SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Regional Esperanto Organization [SFERO), c/o ELNA, Box 1129, El Cerrito CA 94530. Meets 2 PM first Saturday each month (except July, August) at Main Library, San Francisco. SEATTLE: Esperanto Society of Seattle, Pres. Wm. K. Bledsoe, 6002 NE 61st St. Seattle WA 98115. Esperanto Institute, 17226 Palatine N., Seattle WA 98133. UNITED NATIONS: U.N. Working Group, Betty Manson, 14 Stuyvesant Oval, New York NY 10009. UTAH: Utah Esperanto-Klubo, c/o Heritage International, PO Box 2166, Salt Lake City UT 84110. WASHINGTON DC: Washington Esperanto Society, Joan Gildemeister, 4406 - 35th St. NW, Washington DC 20008. NOTE: Information given is the latest received from the groups shown. All clubs and groups should IMMEDIATELY inform the Editor of any changes. ELNA OFFICERS AND COMMISSIONERS PRESIDENT: Dr. Duncan Charters VICE PRESIDENT: Ken Thomson SECRETARY: Donald Harlow TREASURER: John B. Massey Other Board Members: Term Expires In: Dr. Ronald Glossop 1986 Charles Power 1986 Virginia Stewart 1986 Dr. James Cool 1987 William R. Harmon 1987 David Wolff 1987 Alberta Casey 1988 Ellen Eddy 1988 William Schulze 1988 Editor, ELNA NEWSLETTER Catherine L. Schulze Commissioner for Central Office Wm. R. Harmon Commissioner for Correspondence Courses D. Holland Commissioner for Legislative Affairs Commissioner for Information Commissioner for Jubilea Jaro Commissioner for Science/Tech. Commissioner for Tape Service Commissioner for Travel Affairs (c/o Esperanto Travel Service, 578 Grand Avenue, Oakland CA 94610 - [415] 836-1710) J. Gildemeister Ralph Murphy Conrad Fisher R. Kent Jones H. K. VerPloeg Lucy Harmon Commissioner for Wills & Gifting Commissioner for Women's Affairs Commissioner for Youth Affairs Chairman, UN Committee: Director, ELNA CO Assoc.Dir., ELNA CO ELNA Archivist Any member wishing to assist in the work of any of the above named commissions or committees should communicate with the member shown. John B. Massey Ellie Stein Dr. James Cool Dr. Julius Manson, Gregory Wasson Brian McCullough Harold Dreyer ELNA NEWSLETTER Volume 21, No. 4 ISSN 0030-5065 Esperanto League for North America, Inc. P.O. Box 1129, El Cerrito CA 94530 Telephone: [415] 653-0998 Editor: Catherine L. Schulze Graphics: William R. Harmon Photos: Doris Vallon-Wheeler Back issues available for promotional use. July-August 1985 11 Esperanto League for North America, Inc. P.O. Box 1129 El Cerrito, CA 94530 Usono/USA Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Berkeley, CA Permit No. 330 NEWS — PiEASE EXPEDITE Address Correction Requested Return Postage Guaranteed TRAVEL TIPS FOR ESPERANTISTS from Esperanto Vojaĝoservo 578 Grand Avenue, Oakland CA 94610 [415] 836-1710 ELNA DUES FOR 1985 (No increase from 1984!) Individual Member $25.00 Family Membership 37.50 PENSU PR!PEK!NO! UNIVERSALA KONGRESO DE ESPERANTO July 26-August 2, 1986. Youth Member (under 18 years) 12.50 Student Member (under 25 years) 12.50 Senior Member (65 or over) 15.00 Supporting Member 50.00 life Membership 500.00 I had the pleasure of extended conferences with members of the Beijing LKK in Augsburg this year. I made several suggestions to them about handling visas and the tourism part of the convention activity. Final plans should be ready by the first part of October and will be mailed to everyone on the Esperanto Vojaĝservo mailing list (you are on that list if you received materials about Augsburg from me this year), if you want to be sure to receive material about travel to the UK in China and excursions there, drop me a line. The ELNA Newsletter will also publish information. All visas for U.S. Esperantists attending the UK in China will be processed through Esperanto UEA DUES FOR 1985 (No increase from 1984!) Member-Subscriber (MA) 30.00 Member-Yearbook (MJ) 12.00 Socleto Zamenhof (additional) 60.00 Subscription only to Esperanto 18.00 Subscription only to Kontakto 9.00 Life Membership In UEA 750.00 Send payments for UEA memberships or subscriptions to UEA, Box 1129, El Cerrito CA 94530. You may include UEA memberships or subscriptions with ELNA membership dues or book orders. Vojaĝservo; and group flight arrangements will be made to coordinate arrival and departure times. Excursions will mainly occur after the UK and will vary in length from one week to two weeks with various itineraries. Start saving your "Yuan" for the experience of a lifetime! Using Esperanto Vojaĝservo is a good way to help inform airlines and other firms in the travel business of the existence and utility of Esperanto. Contact us for all your travel needs. Lucille C. Harmon ESPERANTO CALENDAR 1985-1986 20-22 Sept. So. Calif. Senkrokodiliga Weekend, Julian CA 4-6 Oct. NOREK Conference, Port Townsend WA 11-13 Oct. Intermountain Esperanto Conference, Salt Lake City UT 30 Jun -18 Jul San Francisco State University 17th MOVING? DON'T LEAVE ESPERANTO BEHIND!! If you have moved recently or plan to move in the near future, please drop a postal card or change of address form to the ELNA Central Office, Box 1129, El Cerrito CA 94530. This will assure your continued receipt of the Newsletter and other information. If you are a member of UEA, a change of address will be sent 1986 Esperanto Summer Session 18-22 July 34th ELNA Convention, SFSU San Francisco CA 26 Jul - 2 Aug 71st World Esperanto Convention, Beijing, China to Rotterdam automatically when you notify ELNA. (If you don't have a stamp handy, telephone the CO at [415] 653-0998.)