A UPDAT,
Esperanto League for North America, Inc. • Box 1129, El Cerrito, CA 94530 • (510) 653-0998
Issue 1, 1992
WORLD   LANGUAGE   &   WORLD
LANGUAGE PROBLEMS
SCHOLARSHIPS  FOR  LANGUAGE
STUDY
The American government has created a trust
fund to promote the study of foreign languages
and cultures. The fund was established in Dec.
1991 when President Bush signed the National
Security Education Act, which was created be-
cause of fears that too few Americans study
foreign languages and cultures, posing a threat
to the nation. The Act creates a $150 million
trust fund to provide scholarships to college
students who study foreign languages. "We can
no longer define our national security in military
terms alone," said Senator David Boren (D., OK)
who heads the Senate Select Committee on
Intelligence, where the Act originated. "Our
ignorance of world cultures and world languages
represents a threat to our ability to remain a
world leader," Boren said.
The fund will help students to learn languages
and to study abroad in countries which are
considered important allies or enemies of the
U.S.
Currently less than 1 percent of American
college students study abroad, and 77% of those
study in Western Europe, said Norman Peterson
of the Liaison Group for International Educa-
tional Exchange. These figures "will not meet
our needs for international enterprise," he said.
(San Francisco Chronicle, Dec. 12, 1991)
GERMANS WANT GREATER ROLE FOR
THEIR LANGUAGE
Germany has asked the European Community
(EC) to increase the status of the German lan-
guage in its official deliberations. Chancellor
Helmut Kohl wants the EC to put German on an
equal basis with French and English in the
organization's documents and meetings.
A Kohl spokesman said German is not used as
much as French and English In EC documents.
"We have always had a problem that English and
French have been first when it comes to (publi-
cation of) EC documents. "Naturally, we want
German to be appropriately acknowledged."
Unification of West and East Germany has
made Germany the most widely spoken lan-
guage in the EC countries. The end of Soviet
domination of Eastern Europe has also meant a
revival of German cultural and linguistic ties in
those countries.
As a sign of the increased role that the German
hope to give to their language, German diplo-
mats in the EC and other international organiza-
tions now make a point of delivering speeches
and papers in German rather than in English.
"We have the size and the importance now to
work in our own language," said a German
diplomat. (SanFrancisco Chronicle, Jan, 3,1991)
ENGLISH AS SHE IS SPOKE
• "Looking forward of having the issue of inter-
national affairs as their growth along with the
advanced type of activities they experience
throughout their flights to be a "the Flights of
International Guests" instead of a "Flights of our
Own", up until today." (From an article about
Korean Air Lines titled "The 'KALI The One
Forever Bluish Upon Worldly Sky" in New Life
magazine (May, 1987), published by the Korean
Community Services, Inc. Sent by Jimmie
Osburn)
• "If Mozart finding himself in 1990 listened to
a music kaleidoscope for a while he would fall
into great depression for sure.
"Not because he would be shocked with primi-
tiveness and monotony of music created by
offsprings. On the contrary he would be fright-
ened for a moment with all his life passed in vain
as he could never learn so much about the
wonderful world of music, and just in a minute
he would start working." From English-language
version of promotional brochure for Soviet jazz
group Orlan. (San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 27,
1991)
FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS TO
CHOOSE NEW ALPHABEI
Six former republics in Central Asia have
scrapped use of the Cyrillic alphabet, which was
imposed on them by Joseph Stalin. The six
former republics—Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, Tadzhikistan, Kirghizia and
Kazakhstan—have a combined population of 55
million. They are predominately Moslem, while
most of the languages spoken there are Turkic.
The six former republics are now deciding
whether to use the Arabic or Latin alphabet.
Neighboring Turkey is encouraging the former
Soviet republics to select the Latin alphabet, as
Turkey did when it switched from the Arabic
alphabet to the Latin in 1928. Turkish diplo-
mats are pointing to Turkey's rapid development
and integration into the world market as a
reason for adoption of Latin script. "We are
telling these republics that if they want to inte-
grate into the world community and the world
economy, then they have to adopt the Latin
characters," said Bilal Simsir, a Turkish diplo-
mat who has made official visits to the Moslem
republics.
Turkey's influence in the six republics would
likely increase if Latin script were adopted. But
Iran and Saudia Arabia are pushing hard for the
adoption of Arabic script, as they too try to
increase their influence in the Moslem repub-
lics. 'The Arabs and the Persians are trying to
sell them on the Arabic alphabet," Simsir said.
They tell them the Koran was written in Arabic
and their true history is in Arabic." (Chicago
Tribune, Nov. 24, 1991. Sent by Mike Jones)
INTERNATIONAL ESPERANTO
NEWS
NEW ESPERANTO PUBLICATION
MondaMerkato (World Market) is a new Espe-
ranto publication. At least one new Esperanto
periodical appears every week, but what makes
this one unique is that it is a compendium of
advertisements and announcements by various
business and individuals who are linked to-
gether by their use of Esperanto. The magazine,
which has readers in over 70 countries, lists
various industrial products and services which
companies offer, as well as "positions wanted"
announcements, etc. The magazine plans to go
to quarterly publication by 1994.
ESPERANTO IN CHINA
China ranks first in the number of Esperanto
speakers and students. Here are some facts
about the current status of Esperanto in China.
• In January 1992 ElPopola ĉinio (From People's
China) published its 400th issue. This monthly
illustrated magazine is one of the most popular
in the Esperanto world. It began publication in
May, 1950.
• Radio Beijing has been broadcasting in Espe-
ranto since 1964 to Europe, Latin America, East
Asia and the Soutli Pacific region. It ranks first
among stations broadcasting in Esperanto.
• At least 500,000 Chinese have learned Espe-
ranto over the past four decades, according to
China Daily News. The figure may be higher
because of last year's nationwide television les-
sons in Esperanto. {ElPopola ĉinio, Jan. 1992,
China Daily News, Dec. 12, 1991. Sent by Fr.
Arthur Rutledge)
NATIONAL ESPERANTO NEWS
ELNA GETS 8QQ NUMBER
The Esperanto League for North America (ELNA)
recently set up an 800 telephone number for
information requestors. Callers who leave their
name and address receive an information packet
about Esperanto.
ELNA has already noted an increase in infor-
mation requests because of the 800 number.
Articles about Esperanto in the Chicago Tribune
and the MensaBulletm which mentioned the 800
number resulted in over 200 calls.
If you or someone you know would like to
receive information about Esperanto, call 1-
800-828-5944. This number is only for informa-
tion requestors. Anyone who has questions about
Esperanto or business to transact with ELNA's
Central Office should call ELNA's regular busi-
ness number, (510) 653-0998.
U.S. ESPERANTO CONFERENCES AND
CLASSES-1992
• April 10 -12, 1992. All-California Esperanto
Conference. The Vagabond Hotel, Sacramento,
CA. Theme: The Use of Esperanto in the New
World Order/Strategies for the Esperantization
of the World. For more irrformation contact:
Esperanto-Societo de Sakramento, c/o John
Mathews, P.O. Box 60860, Sacramento, CA
95860.
• June 15 - 26, 1992. Beginning and interme-
diate Esperanto classes. Gaston College,
Gastonia, NC. Teacher certification credit avail-
able. For more information contact: Dr. Stanley
Drake, c/o International Society of Friendship
and Goodwill, 211 W. 4th St., P.O. Box 2637,
Gastonia, NC 28053-2637 (708) 864-7906.
•  June 22 - 26, 1992. Esperanto classes.
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.
For more information contact: Steve Brewer,
1940 Howard St. #439, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(616) 387-7638, brewer @ cs.wmich.edu.
• June 23 - July 17, 1992. San Francisco State
University's 23rd annual summer Esperanto
workshop. Held on the campus of SFSU. Five
levels of instruction. Some fellowships available.
Weekend hospitality parties scheduled. For
more information contact: Cathy Schulze, 410
Darrell Rd., Hillsborough, CA 94010 (415) 342-
1796.
• July 6-17, 1992. Beginning and intermedi-
ate Esperanto classes. Meredith College, Ra-
leigh, NC. Teacher certification credit available.
For more information contact: Dr. Stanley Drake,
c/o International Society of Friendship and Good-
will, 211W. 4th St., P.O. Box 2637, Gastonia, NC
28053-2637 (708) 864-7906.
• July 13-18, 1992. Beginning, intermediate
and intermediate/advanced Esperanto classes.
Some stipends are available. Evening events,
speakers also. For more information contact:
Hilda Grossman, Office of Summer Programs,
University of Hartford, 200 Bloornfield Ave., West
Hartford, CT 06117 (800) 234-4412 or (203)
768-4401.
• July 18 - 22, 1992. 40th annual convention
of the Esperanto League for North America.
Location: University of California at Berkeley.
ELNA members will receive descriptive brochure
and registration form with upcoming issue of
esperanto usa. Non-members may contact: Es-
peranto League for North America, P.O. Box
1129, El Cerrito, CA 94530 (510) 653-0998.
• July 20 - 31,1992. Beginning and intermedi-
ated Esperanto classes. Mary Baldwin College,
Staunton, VA Teacher certification credit avail-
able. For more information contact: Dr. Stanley
Drake, c/o International Society of Friendship
and Goodwill, 211 W. 4th St., P.O. Box 2637,
Gastonia, NC 28053-2637 (708) 864-7906.
• Aug. 3-14, 1992. Beginning and intermedi-
ate Esperanto classes. Illinois State University,
Normal, IL. Teacher certification credit avail-
able. For more information contact: Dr. Stanley
Drake, c/o International Society of Friendship
and Goodwill, 211 W. 4th St., P.O. Box 2637,
Gastonia, NC 28053-2637 (708) 864-7906.
PLEASE NOTE: ELNA Update provides infor-
mation on classes as a service to its readers.
Neither ELNA Update nor ELNA are responsible
for class cancellations or changes.
COPJxECTION: In ELNA Update #4, 1991,
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville was
inadvertently left out of the list of colleges and
universities where Esperanto is taught. If you
know of any other colleges which should be
listed, please write to: ELNA Update, P.O. Box
1129, El Cerrito, CA 94530.
1992 ELNA BOOK SERVICE CATALOG
This 28-page catalog details every item
available from the ELNA Book Service.
Books and materials are conveniently
grouped by category. The Book Service
catalog is sent to members and "Friends
of Esperanto" at no cost. Non-members
should send $2.00 (check or money order,
please) payable to ELNA. Those purchas-
ing the catalog will receive a coupon
worth $2.00 off their next order.
Send Payment to:
Esperanto League For North America
P.O. Box 1129
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Support the Esperanto movement in the United States
JOIN ELNA TODAY!!!
Esperanto League for North America
P.O. Box 1129
El Cerrito, CA    94530
USA
In this issue...
♦ Scholarships
♦ German
♦ Esperanto in China
♦ Esperanto classes
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE
PAH)
Berkeley, CA
Permit No. 330
ELNA Membership Benefits
♦   A bi-monthly newsletter keeping you up to
date on issues of importance to Esperan-
tists.
♦   The ELNA Book and Tape Service catalogs
and the ELNA Membership List
♦   Discounts on most items carried by the
ELNA Book and Tape Services
♦   The quarterly ELNA Update with informa-
tion on the world language problem and
Esperanto as its solution
♦   The satisfaction of contributing materially
to the propagation of Esperanto in the U.S.A.
Non-Member
"Friend of Esperanto"
A "Friend of Esperanto* is not a dues-pay-
ing member of ELNA and therefore not
eligible for the regular membership ben-
efits. Instead, a "Friend" offers encourage-
ment to the Esperanto movement by pro-
riding financial support. A'Triend" receives:
Four issues of the ELNA Update via first-
class mail. ELNA Update keeps you abreast
of the world language problem and Espe-
ranto as its solution.
A copy of the year's ELNA Book Service
Catalog.
ELNA MEMBERSHIP FORM
Please show the type of membership or support by an X in the appropriate
brackets. All memberships are on a calendar year basis, January 1 - December 31.
For items marked (*) we must have your birthdate.
NOTE: Your address, telephone number, and computer network address will be
published in the yearly membership list unless you indicate otherwise here:
Do NOT publish 0 address O phone O network address.
Name:_____________________,_______________________________
Address: ^_________________^_____________________
City/State/Zip:.
Phone: _____
Birthdate:.
Amateur Radio Call:.
Computer Network Address:.
1991 ELNA
Membership Categories
[ ] Individual..................................$30.00
[ ] Sustaining..................................$60.00
[ ]Life(*)....................................$600.00
[ ] Youth (Hinder 27)....................$15.00
[ ] Limited Income .........................$15.00
[ ] Family.......................................$45.00
Other Forms of Support
[ ] Friend of Esperanto...................$10.00
(non-member)
[ ] Donation..............................._______
Return this form with payment to:
ELNA
Box 1128. EI Cerrito, CA 94530
Telephone: (510) 653-0998