Esperanto League for North America, Inc • Box 1129. LI Ucrrito, LA:> 1930 * (415) cO 11998 Issue 3-4,1989 WORLD LANGUAGE aiHIlanguage PROBLEMS English Competency Studies in Europe The Bulletin of the London Esperanto Club re- ported that an international ad agency's survey of Europeans' level of comprehension of English netted some interesting results. The agency asked a representative sample of adults in different countries about their ability to understand English, and then tested them to see how accurate this self-judgement was. The test given was in the form of recorded phrases and sentences which the participants were asked to interpret. The findings showed that the chifierence between the actual ability to understand English and their perception of their ability was significant. For example, in the Netherlands, less than 50% was able to translate a given phrase, and in Italy only 6%. In Belgium, 6% of the French speaking Belgians succeeded in the translation, whereas 46% of the Dutch speaking Belgians succeeded. For more information about this study, interested parties are directed to write to : Peter Oliver, 3 Monks Court, Powers, Hall End, Witham, Essex CM8 1LP, Britton. (Esperanto, May 1989) TTTTT In a letter from Walter Klag, printed in Monato, a study conducted by the ad agency Lintas in 1987-88 found that only 28% of the Dutch, 15% of the Ger- mans, 3% of the Italians and 1% of the Spanish can comprehend written English. The author of this letter concludes that between 1 and 3 percent of Europeans in fact can speak English. (Monato, June, 1989) Problems of Translation The average person would think that a text trans- lated from one language to another — let's say English to Spanish — would be suitable for any group of people that speaks that language. However, people from different regional areas may use one word in several different ways. Let us show you s6Lme*:;ex- fmples: "*:* The wlfff for 'Mown payment'' in Mexico is "en- ganche." Puerto Rico uses the wore! ''pronto", and in Cuba the word is "fondo." An amusing example of regional chfferences is the word "Guagua." This is the word for "bus" in Puerto Rico, but it means "baby" in Peru or Chile. Further- more die word "guagua" does not exist for Mexicans. Their word for "baby" is "bebe" and the word for "bus" is "camion" or "autobus." Also, Cubans and Puerto Ricans refer to orange juice as "jugo de china" (translated as juice of the fioiit, china = orange). However, in Mexico this same item if seen in print would be translated to: "the juice from the country of China." These three examples are just a few of the many chfferences that could cause confusion and misunder- standing of a translation if not done properly. Another matter to take into consideration when making a translation is the subject matter. Is the work of a technical nature or relatively easy to comprehend and translate? What is the level of education of the target market? When translating advertising or pro- motional literature for the average homemaker, we have to select grammar that can communicate the idea without boggling the mind of the reader. Whereas, with more technical material, more precise and spe- cific verbiage is needed to make the text understand- able, (reprinted with permission fron the newsletter of The Kaspi Group, the Foreign Language Commu- nications Agency, June 1989) \+ I IIHf ML, Latin in Italian Schools? In a report taken ffon the Esperanto periodical La Eta Gazeto (The Little Magazine), G. Valle tells of a proposal of the Italian Chamber to introduce Latin as a compulsory language in Italian schools. Italians opposing this bring up the fact that Latin is very difficult to learn and that the expected benefits from learning Latin to date have not panned out. According to the author, after 6 years of high school and college Latin, very few can actually use the language. (La Eta Gazeto, September, 1989) Britain May Fight Language Plans Britain is considering taking the European Com- mission to the Court of Justice over plans to encour- age every British schoolchild to become trilingual and every firm to provide language training at work. Mr. Renneth Baker, the Education Secretary, is seeking support from France and Germany to stop two EEC draft directives which would commit the community to spending 160 million British pounds (roughly 250 rrrfrlion U.S. dollars) from 1990 on language training. The rest would come from interna- tional funds, (from The Guardian, March, 15, 1989 and reprinted in The Esperanto Teacher, Summer 1989) IllBphATIONAL ESPERANTO NEWS Moscow News Appears in Esperanto The magazine Moskovskie Novosti (Moscow News) has published a test sample in Esperanto. This edition, titled Moskvaj Novaĵoj is an experiment and further editions and the cost will depend on the comments received by the editors. Please send your letters, comments, etc., to: Jegor Jakovlev, Chief Editor, Moscow News, Gorki str. 16/ 2, Moscow, USSR. South Korean Esperanto Movement The Esperanto movement in South Korea is ex- panding and is reflected in the increasing number of Esperanto periodicals being offered. The main peri- odicals are : La Espero el Koreio, La Lanterno Azia, and Mondo de Universitato. ELNA is currently looking into offering these peri- odicals as part of its Subscription Service in 199 1 (La Espero el Koreio, July-August 1989) NATIONAL ESPERANTO NEWS Friends of Esperanto The participants of the 1989 ELNA Convention in Chicago voted to accept the proposal of the Central Office to initiate a new form of support by non- Esperantists. Known as a "Friend of Esperanto", this allows non- Esperantists to show their support for Esperanto as the solution to the world language problem without actually beconing a member of ELNA. "Friends" will receive 4 issues of the ELNA update and a copy of the ELNA Book Service Catalog, but are not ehgiblefor the members discount. The number of "Friends" will be reported separately from actual members in the report of the Director of the Central Office to the ELNA Congresses. If a "Friend" wants to upgrade to actual membership in ELNA before the end of the calendar year, they may do so by requesting the upgrade from the Central Office and sending in the difference between the "Friend of Esperanto" fee and membership fee. ELNA members are encouraged to sign up their friends who are supportive of the Esperanto move- ment as a "Friend". Copies of the "Friends of Espe- ranto" flyer and special order blank may be obtained from: ELNA, P.O. Box 1129, El Cerrito, CA94530. Harry Harrison Named Honorary Member The participants of the 1989 ELNA Convention unanimously voted to make world famous science fiction writer Harry Harrison an honorary member of ELNA in recognition of his work for Esperanto in general and his support of ELNA specifically by mentioning ELNA in several of his books. NEW BOOKS (see catalog for ordering instructions.) Bhagavad-Gita, tio estas, Sublima Kanto pri la Senmorteco, trans.Francisco Valdomiro Lorenz. The well known fragment from the "Mahabharta" (The great war of the Children of Bharat) is now available in an excellent Esperanto translation. Possibly the oldest poem in the world, certainly of epic proportions. 96p. paper. Brazil. BHA001 $3.50. La Domaĉo, P. Anselmo. Stressful crime novel in perfect Esperanto. 1989. 24p. paper + cas- sette. W. Germany. DOM001 $12.50. Esperanto en Lingvolaboratorio, H. Ber- man. Book of language exercises, useful for beginners and advanced students. 1973. 75p. paper. W. Germany. ESP003 $3.75. Fabeloj de Fratoj Grimm (cassette), H. Berman reads fairy tales of the Grimm broth- ers. W. Germany. FAB004 $8.50. Faciia Numero de Esperanto (cassette), H. Berman reads the text of the beginner's edition of the U.E.A. Esperanto magazine. W. Ger- many. ESP099 $8.50. Inversa Vortaro de Esperanto, B. Pabst. Words ordered by the last letter of the word instead of the first. Not only useful for poets, but also for linguists. Includes all the roots from the P.I.V. and the Esperanto Bild-vor- taro. Detailed introduction. 1989.112p. paper. W. Germany. INV003 $12.25. Karlo (cassette set), H. Berman reads the famous book Karlo by Edmond Privat. Be- cause the book uses only around 500 word roots, it is especially suited for beginners. Two tape set. W. Germany. KAR005 $17.00. Kumeŭaŭa, (cassette set), H. Berman reads the whole text of the well-known book by T. Sekelj. Three tape set. W. Germany KUM001 $25.50. Parolado en la Unuiĝinta Naciaro, Mihail Gorbacov, The famous speech of the General Secretary of the Central Cornrnittee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union at the U.N., in December 1988. 1989. 30p. paper. USSR GOR006 $0.75. Konstrui Novan Ponton, Wan Yun. Beauti- fully illustrated book for children about the cooperation between a squirrel, a rabbit, a chimpanzee and an elephant. 1982,4Op. paper. China KON018 $1.25. Kristana Agendo, Francisco C. Xavier. trans. A.RA. Costa. A book rich in advice for the daily life, useful not only for Christians. These short quotes could be used in teaching Espe- ranto to Christian groups. 102p. paper. Brazil. KRI003 $2.95. KromOSOnoj, Lorjak. Are parental traits he- reditary through artificial insemination? Well, we will see in this light, amusing book. 1989. 155p. paper. Belgium KRO001 $7.95. La Kvina Evangelio, Han Riner. trans. R Laval. A new viewpoint on the life of Jesus Christ. First published in 1910, this book by Henri Ner, enjoyed great success throughout the world. 144p. paper. France. KVI005 $3.00. h_aŬdo de I' Stulteco, Erasmo de Roter- damo, trans. GerritBerveling. Number24b in the East-West series of UEA. This book aimed at being amusing, but it proved to be more educational and serious, than entertaining, al- though the irony, satire, and parody is not lacking. 1988. Ulp. paper. The Netherlands. LAU004 $15.95. rLa Luzidoj, Camoes. trans. Leoplodo H. Knoedt. The national epic of the Portuguese published in the East-West series (Number 14). This excellent translation is made better by its high quality binding and beautiful etch- ings. 1980, 463p. bound. Brazil. LUZ001 $24.95. La Marvirineto (book), H. C. Anderson, trans. I. Schleicher. Excellent and beautifully illustrated translation of the most well-known H. C. Anderson story. 1962. 53p. bound. Denmark. MAR006 $10.95. La Marvirineto (cassette set). H. Berman reads the entire text of H. C. Anderson's book listed above. Two tape set. W. Germany. MAR007 $17.00. Mia Spektro, N. Kurzens. Complete collec- tion of a Latvian poet including original poetry written in and translated into Esperanto. Col- lection spans 1931-1935. Expanded version of the book which appeared in 1938. 1985. 131p. paper. Canada. MIA003 $5.00. Mistero, P. Anselmo. Agreeable adventure- some novel. Not only for young people, but for all who have finished a beginners' course. 1988. 32p. paper. + Cassette. W. Germany. MIS008 $13.95. "O" kaj Aliaj Rakontoj, Damir Mikulicc. Collection of short stories, mostly science fic- tion. 1988. 217p. paper. Yugoslavia. OKA001 $7.25. Oktavia, Seneca, trans. Gerrit Berveling. Nero, emperor of Rome, well-known for his cruelty and insanity, also caused many tragedies among his own family. This play focuses on the inter- action between his wife and his concubine. 1989. 60p. paper. Belgium OKT001 $4.75. La Optimisto-Bibiio, K Bolo. On the right hand pages you will find wise sayings and prov- erbs ordered by theme. On the left hand you will find illustrated dialog. 1989.163p. paper. W. Germany. OPT001 $12.00. \Popuiara Vortareto, A. Lopez Luna. Un- usual dictionary, whose descriptions are not the usual one would find. This dictionary is not lacking in irony and satire, tragedy and warn- ing. A useful booklet. 1986. 104p. paper. Argentina. POP001 $6.50. Proverboj de Marko kaj Lazaro Zamenhof, red. Adolf Holzhaus. Collection of 13,155 proverbs collected by Zamenhof and his fa- ther. This is an excellent reference book, not only for the Esperantist, but for any speaker of Russian, French, German, or Polish. 1980. 704p. paper. Finnland. PRO002 $40.00. ^Ses Voĉoj Kremaj, Six famous Esperantists recite their own and others' literary works. Speakers include: Tibor Sekelj, Ans J. Bakker- ten Hagen, Teo Jung, Victor Sadler, ICalman Kalocsay,Simo Milojevic.Text: 18 pages.paper + cassette. Japan. SES001 $7.50. Socilingvistikaj Aspektoj de la Internacia Lingvo, diversaj. Full report of the Interna- tional Symposia in honor of the Esperanto Centennial, occurring August 1986. Bi-lin- gual edition (Japanese-Esperanto) contrining the speeches of the above mentioned sympo- sium. 1986. 205p. paper. Japan. SOC004 $19.95. \Sur la Vojo de la Analiza Skolo, R Sulco. One of the most important books about the "Analiza Skolo"; articles about grammar, cor- rect, "fundamenta" Esperanto with two de- tailed indexes. 1987. 279p. paper. W. Ger- many. SUR007 $21.50. Tio, Kion Mi Kredas, Jean Rostand, trans. Pierre Berlot. Sincere, Optimistic praise of rationalism, tolerance and democracy from the pen of one of the members of the French Academy. 1962. 39p. paper. France. TIO001 $2.95. Trigroŝa Romano, B. Brecht. Socially critical novel based on the earlier "Three Penny Opera". About beggars, thieves, and murder- ers whose society mirrors and parodies upper class society. Excellent value. 1977. 374p. bound. E. Germany. TRI001 $6.50. Vere aŭ Fantazie, Claude Piron. Short sto- ries in easy Esperanto by one of the most loved and prodigious Esperanto authors. Based on the assumption that you already know 405 of the most common Esperanto words (list in- cluded!), this text gradually increases your vocabulary. At the end of each story is a list of new words. 1989.216p.paper.Brazil.VER005 $12.00. Verkoj de Heinrich Heine, red. Adolf. Holzhaus. Bilingual (German-Esperanto) collection from the works of Heine, with notes and photographs. 1973. 317p. bound. Israel. VER011 $12.95. T-SHIRTS, CAPS, T-Shirts: Beautiful Kelly Green Esperanto T-shirts .Specifysmall, mediun, large, or extra- large. $6,75, Caps: Baseball caps, same shade of green as the T-shirts above. One size fits all. HAT001 $5.25. Luggage Straps: High quality luggage straps to protect your luggage from opening in transit. Sturdy, dark green material with "Esperanto La Internacia Lingvo" in black. Heavy duty plastic buckles. Name tag with room for personal information. LUG001 $15.00. Esperanto Flag: 12 inch X 19 inch nylon Esperanto flag, ex- tremely durable, suitable for outdoor use. FLA001 $15.00. Buttons: $1.00 each. Large buttons with phrases or words in Esperanto: Ho Ve! = PIN052;Salu- ton! = PIN053; Paeon! = P1N054; Ni Estu Amikoj! = PIN055. ~1 r c a a On H C O 2 Esperanto Handbook for Teachers A 31-page booklet aimed at providing back- ground material for anyone planning to teach Esperanto in a formal or informal educational setting. Covers ways of incorporating Espe- ranto with other subjects such as geography or history, hints for effective lessons, and a list of resources and suggested reading for further study. Simple, but useful tool. Available from ELNA. $1.75 (includes shipping) CA residents must add applicable taxes. Code: ESP075 ave money by sending a postcard for a free fist of damaged or discontinued books,-records, etc, available f. from ELNA at substantial discounts. Address your postcard to: ELNA Look Service, Spe- cial List, P.O. Box 1129, Ei Corrito, CA 94530, include your return address. The previous pages reveal but a small sample of the many exciting things going on with Esperanto in the world today. Help support the Esperanto movement in the United States by join- ing ELNA as a member or become a "Friend of Esperanto", distributing in- formation in your area, and sending the names of people you think would like to hear about Esperanto to: ELNA Up- date, P.O.Box 1129, El Cerrito, CA 94530.