ELNA UPDA TE Quarterly newsletter published by the Lsperanto League for north America 2/1998 FO Box 1 129 * El Cerrito CA 94530 * USA ISSN 1081-6224 NGO COALITION FOR IAL The Coalition for an International Auxiliary Lan- guage (CIAL) is an informal network of non-govern- mental organizations (NGOs) which support the adoption and use of an international auxiliary lan- guage. The coalition consists of the Baha'i Interna- tional Community, the Temple of Understanding, the Transnational Radical Party, the Universal Esperanto Association, and the World Federalist Movement. So there are now several organizations working together and separately to convince the United Nations and other international organizations to seriously consider measures to support and utilize the international lan- guage Esperanto. Among their stated goals is to have Ecosoc establish, in collaboration with Unesco, a "Center for International Linguistic Communication and Language Rights" to collect and distribute infor- mation on linguistic discrimination, and to promote linguistic rights and fair linguistic communication worldwide, [from CIAL newsletter of March, 1998] WHOLE WORLD FOR AMERICANS? These days the whole world is the turf of young Americans. Nobody can profit more from globalism than the youth of America, the sons and daughters of the world's only superpower, which has the most widespread culture and the strongest economy. They grew up in a hightech free-enterprise lifestyle which large portions of the world suddenly want to follow. And they speak English, which has become much more of a universal language than was Latin during its heyday. English is the common tool of commerce, amusement and scholarship, and is the dominant lan- guage of the internet. British experts claim that by the year 2000, more than a billion persons will be speak- ing or studying English. And now many millions more are climbing on the linguistic bandwagon; so if American, British or British-empire children do not have any other way to earn money overseas, they can almost always support themselves by teaching other people to speak as they do. Few of these possibilities are found in Western Europe, for English is already widely taught there; unemployment is high; and jobs are mostly reserved for EU citizens. The best advice for future English teachers is "Go East, young men and women- to Asia and East Europe". [Newsweek (European Edition), Oct 6, 1997] The desire and energy for the spread of English radiating from the above lines must also awaken our: youth. A strong desire and concentrated energy are needed in order to attain important results and suc- cesses in any field, and therefore also in the field of Esperanto. We cannot deploy a force of many million young men and women, but certainly to teach our lan- guage requires a fifth or a tenth of the effort, so that the spread of Esperanto could be more efficient than that of any national language. There are, however, ne- cessary preconditions: 1) continual evolution of Espe- ranto in regards to practical and cultural needs; 2) high level study of Esperanto; 3) wise publicity cam- paigns; 4) high level instruction of Esperanto within widely diverse applications aimed at a broad range of students from absolute beginner to fluent Esperantist. Each of these listed tasks can be fulfilled either by in- dividuals or by groups. We cannot wait for nor expect central organising; but certainly knowledge of others' experiences can help quite a bit. Young Americans spread their language both through official channels (e.g. the Peace Corps) and without any central organi- zational base. It is easy to transform the above-cited lines about American youth and the spread of En- glish: "These days the whole world is the turf of young Esperantists... All of humanity can profit from the globalism of the young Esperantists, children of the unarmed and unprejudiced world community, col- lecting and teaching the entire range of human cul- ture, spreading intercomprehension among all peo- ples." [Otto Haszpra in Eventoj 1/Apr, 1998] CONGRESS OF EUROPE More than 3500 people attended the gathering called "Congress of Europe" May 8-10, 1998 in the Hague, Netherlands. The main topic of the gathering was "Constructing Europe for the 21st Century: A place of Solidarity and Freedom". During a work group on "Democracy, Citizenship and Human Rights" one participant raised the language issue. This is what he said: "I am Umberto Broccatelli, from the Italian Council of the European Esperanto Movement, in which I represent the Italian Esperanto Federation. I ask that you will please pardon my bad French, but I am required to use a language which is not mine, and so you will understand my embarrassment. You find and will always find many millions of European citi- zens in this same situation. In the European Union, they do not feel that they are complete citizens, be- cause they are forced to express themselves in a lan- guage not theirs, and consequently in conditions of inferiority relative to their interlocutors. European citizens are theoretically equal, but some are "more equal than the others". Some professional commenta- tors have remarked recently that the Monetaiy Union will not be solid nor longlasting if it is not followed soon by political union. But they also recognise that this kind of political union is not possible between citizens who cannot understand one another. For example, how can a Dutch politician make himself understood to his Italian or Finnish fellow-citizens? The European Union is not Switzerland, which has only three official languages. Already today the EU has eleven official languages, whose number will gradually increase as the anticipated expansion is realised. In three months, I will be in Montpellier, in the South of France, where there will be a worldscale congress in which three thousand people will meet using only one language, which is a second language for all of them, putting them all in a situation of per- fect equality. This language is the international aux- iliary language Esperanto, and the congress in ques- tion is the world congress of the Universal Esperanto Association. This kind of situation of equality would obviously not be possible if any ethnic language were raised to the role of international auxiliary language: in fact, this would have a destructive effect similar to that which Latin had on the Etruscan and Celtic lan- guages. The example proposed by the Esperanto movement should be imitated or at least studied by the European Union to solve its language problem. It would be a good idea for EU institutions to send a few qualified observers to [the UK in] Montpellier." [reported by ret-info] CROATIAN TV PROGRAM On May 9, 1998 a forty-five minute television pro- gram about prejuduces relative to Esperanto was broadcast on Croatian Television as part of the series called "Babilejo", which is aimed at a youth audi- ence. Two teams of high-school students debated for and against the use of Esperanto in international con- texts. The members of the Esperanto Club Bude Bor- jan convinced a majority of the judges with their lear- ned and energetic defense of Esperanto. [Reported by Spomenka Stimec by way of ret-info] ...AND ANOTHER ON CNN On December 15, 1997, CNN Headline News dealt with the language problem in Europe. CNN reported that "overcoming language barriers has become a stumbling block for the European Union, and that's why a language movement that began over a hundred years ago is getting another look... Europe is a tangle of tongues. The fifteen-nation European Union has eleven official languages, and each utterance in one has to be made intelligible in the other ten... Interpret- ing, translating, checking, printing and reprinting, the European Commission alone turns out eight hundred million pages a year. Wanted: One Language for Europe! Well, the Esperanto movement solved that one 110 years ago!" During a short interview seg- ment, Dr. John Wells, a professor at the University of London, said: "I think [Esperanto] is an excellent can- didate for solving the European language problem, because it's an easy language that can be quickly lear- ned; and if we really took it seriously, it would be a radical change in the linguistic setup in Europe." The program lasted two minutes and fifteen seconds. ESPERANTO RADIO ON INTERNET Two different news services have now made their Esperanto news broadcasts available on the internet, using a program called Real Audio. This is an excel- lent tool for keeping your listening skills well-honed while following the news of East Europe. And for those who have never heard Esperanto spoken, this is just the ticket! Radio Estonia has fifteen-minute shows which they change weekly; Radio Poland has four-minute programs which are fresh daily. Tune in at www.er.ee/tallinn and at www.wrn.org/stations/poland.html. iOlOZAM GIVES ADVICE A very amusing advice service called "LoLoZam Pensas" has appeared on the internet. It is conducted entirely in Esperanto, of course. Writers send in ques- tions about their personal life, cosmic philosophy, linguistic issues, etc. and the pseudonymous LoLo- Zam replies with wit and genuine insight. Find him at www.geocities.com/Athens/5 685/index.html. NEW FROM THE BOOK SERVICE ABISMOJ, Jean FORGE. The theme of this novel is the daily repetition of history, but the author, by means of his well developed style, holds your attention to the last word. Originally written in Esperanto. 1973. 150p. 180x125. Paper. Finland. ISBN 095-9005-27-7 ABI001 $7.40 AFIŜO "KIA VISENTAS VIN HODIAŬ?" Thirty car- toon faces show different emotional and mental states with the appropriate Esperanto adjective below. A great teach- ing device. Black on white background. The same faces appear on the shirts SHI 071-075. 1998. 765x510. USA. AFI003 $2.20 ARDES,B. TORNADO (pseud.). Is this a science-fiction novel well-spiced with poems, or a series of poems with a tale woven around them for context? You decide! Either way, it's a richly imaginative and colorful display of story- telling. 1996. 180. 200x130. Paper. Russia. ISBN 5-7161- 0026-0 ARD001 $13.00 BILLY. This computer game is fun for children of all ages from three to ninety three! Somewhat similar to "Mario Brothers" but much more complex and quite a bit sillier. No violence. Five different worlds and more than a hun- dred levels to play in. Text and speech in numerous lan- guages, including (of course) Esperanto. High-resolution graphics and excellent sound. CD-ROM format. 1997. BIL003 $30.70 CIKONI-KALIFO, LA, Miftaelo BABITS. Trans. Karlo BODO. A profound novel from one of Hungary's most important poets. Touching story of a split personality. Art- fully translated. 1929. 187p. 170x105. Paper. Germany. CIK001 $1.50 KIEL ĈIUJ KATETOJ, Agnieszka USAKIEWICZ. Trans. Wojciech USAKIEWICZ. A collection of sweet animal stories with charming illustrations by Aleksander OCZKO. Suitable for school-aged children (not infants) due to the relatively advanced level of language. Perfect bedtime stories! 1993. 64p. 250x200. Hardbound. Poland. ISBN 83-8515981-9 KIE005 $14.60 KONSTRUI FAJRON, Jack LONDON. Trans. DC. Story by the well-known American author about the gold rush period in the Yukon. 1984. 27p. 205x145. Paper. France. KON006 $1.10 MAZI EN GONDOLANDO, Div. BBC first created this animated cartoon as a television series to teach English. It has been wonderfully translated and dubbed into Esperanto by a team of experienced teachers and voice actors. Quite entertaining! Two videotapes, an audiotape, and a 160- page booklet. 1995. Netherlands-Poland. MAZ001 $127.80 NE TIEL, SED TEEL ĈI!, F. FAULHABER. Tips on style in Esperanto. An important aid for students and those unsure of the best application of Esperanto's flexible elegance. 1996 unchanged reprint of the 1965 edition. 64p. 205x145. Paper. France. NET001 $3.20 PIKNIKO ĈE LA VOJRANDO, Arkadij & Boris STRUGACKIJ. Trans. Mikaelo BRONŜTEJN. This is the novel on which the famous film "The Stalker" was based. What if there were a "Zone" where all normal rules of real- ity are suspended? What would happen to the brave adven- turers who explore it? 1996. 191p. 200x130. Paper. Russia. ISBN 5-7161-0027-9 PIK002 $9.10 Pin "FIRST CHOICE FOR A SECOND LANGUAGE; UNUA ELEKTO POR DUA LINGVO: ESPERAN- TO". Green on white background. 056 mm. 1998. USA. PIN002 $1.10 Pin "NENIU FREMDULO EN ESPERANTUJO" Dark green on light green background. 037 mm. 1998. USA. PIN003 $.80 USONO NIGRE-BLANKE, lonel ONEJ- A compilation of basic facts about the United States of America, listed state by state. Includes maps and many surprising insights. 1998. HOp. 140x215. Spiralbound. USA. ISBN 1-882251- 26-1 USO001 $8.00 VTVO DE PROMETEO, B. TORNADO (pseud.). A real epic poem based on a new interpretation of one of the most important myths of modern man. Aren't you curious about what kind of epic poems our language can produce? 1996. 263p. 200x130. Paper. Russia. ISBN 5-7161-0031-7 vrvoo9 $9.10 VUALO DE L' TEMPO, Ĝura. Trans. Henri CASTIAU. A tale of the lives of Muslim women in Europe and their Algerian homeland with traditions which continue to in- fluence their lives. Largely autobiographical, but with great scope across two interacting cultures. 1997. 168p. 235x155. Paper. France. ISBN 2-9502432-4-X VUA002 $14.30 WINNIE-LA-PU, A. A. MILNE. Trans. Ivy KELLER- MAN REED and Ralph A. LEWTN. Winnie the Pooh and all his friends speak Esperanto. This classic children's book is also suitable for beginners because of the Esperan- to-English glossary and some grammar notes. Elustrated by Ernest H. SHEPARD. Second edition 1992. 164p. 190x205. Hardbound. Netherlands. ISBN 92 9017 046 8 WIN001 $16.50 INTERNET FAMILY GROWING Here is a list of the many Websites which display the state of the Esperanto movement in the country of origin, many of which can be divined from the address itself! http://esperanto.agoranet.be http://www.esperantisto.sk http://www.esperanto-es.org http://www.esperanto-kolombio.org http://www.esperanto-usa.org http://www.esperanto.ca http://www.esperanto.ch http://www.esperanto.de http://www.esperanto.demon.co.uk http://www.esperanto.dk http://www.esperanto.net http://www.esperanto.nu http://www.esperanto.or.jp http://www.esperanto.org http://www.esperanto.org.au http://www.esperanto.se http://www.esperanto.sk http://www.esperanto.stm.it http://www.esperanto.mv.ru There are also a few private firms which take advan- tage of the name of the language, even though they have no relationship to any international language project: http://www.esperanto.com http: / /www. esperantocom. corn And here are a few other useful URL's: http://www.uea.org/ http://www.esperanto-edi-tools.com/ http://come.to/esperanto/ http://surf.to/esperanto/ http://start.at/esperanto/ There are also several hundred personal home pages which use and/or mention Esperanto; also nearly two thousand Esperantists have listed their e-mail address. The list can be found in the Adresaro at http: //www.esperanto-usa.org/esp-adresaro.html ! taw* mmuai mNvmzim We will have a joint congress with the Cana- dian Esperanto Association in one of North America's most beautiful cities, Montreal. This international convention will be a great ; setting to use the international language. Jus! send the convention fee of only $60.00 to ELNA's CO, and plan to meet new friends and old in Montreal 24-27 July. (Participants will need to contact the Rodway Inn [1-888- 470-5500] to arrange lodging» Be sure to : mention the Esperanto convention to get special rates. Don't delay: there are a limited number of ro< ims reserved for us.) There will , be special performances by Kafto, Esperanto I .folk; music group from the Netherlands, and live appearenrcs by members of the Bonvolo j family during screenings of the famous, video project Esperanto, Pasporio alia Ma mondo. Bott'l i$m$ this mwt Esperanto League for North America PO Box 1129 El Cerrito CA 94530 Non-Profit Org, U.S. Postage PAID Permit #1040 Leesburg, FL 34748 in this mm.»* ♦ NGO Coalition ♦ Congress of Europe ♦ English Everywhere? ♦ Esperanto In the Media ♦ New Esperanto Books