Newsgroups: sci.lang
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From: elna@netcom.com (Esperanto League N America)
Subject: Improving Esperanto
Message-ID: <elnaDxLBEL.Fts@netcom.com>
Organization: Esperanto League for North America, Inc.
References: <19960902060147.baaa003K0@babyblue.cs.yale.edu> <Pine.SUN.3.94.960909194727.18099A-100000@access4.digex.net> <elnaDxIBoq.9zy@netcom.com> <Pine.SUN.3.94.960911083446.15966B-100000@access5.digex.net>
Date: Wed, 11 Sep 1996 22:49:33 GMT
Lines: 43
Sender: elna@netcom5.netcom.com

Paul O Bartlett <pobart@access.digex.net> writes in a recent posting (reference <Pine.SUN.3.94.960911083446.15966B-100000@access5.digex.net>):
>     I have seen instances in which remarks on the order of "I
>disagree with this feature of Esperanto and think it could have been
>done better this other way" are met with what I think could best be
>described as splutterings on the part of some Esperantists.  Some of
>them seem to be highly set in their ways and are extraordinarily
>unwilling to consider even the slightest criticism (even constructive). 
>Perhaps some of this is fallout from the Esperanto-Ido wars still
>haunting later generations(?).
>
Not exactly, although there is a relationship there.
Many people treat Esperanto as if it were a "project" which can be adjusted
before its launch date; but in actuality it is a *language* much like any
other. Many Esperantists react with little patience when "improvements"
are suggested, because the very suggestion implies a lack of recognition
of its status as a language. How seriously can we expect English-speakers
to treat a proposal in sci.lang that we "improve" English by eliminating
an annoying feature like the 3rd person singular -s ending, or  by 
regularizing all plurals? Would English-speakers not be "extraordinarily
unwilling to consider" this kind of thing? Or propose to French speakers
that the -er/-ir/-re verb groups ought to be eliminated: how will they
react to this "constructive" criticism? ?

Many people wrongly assume that the goal of Esperanto is to attain some
sort of "perfection", so they good-heartedly suggest perceived 
improvements. Others assume that Esperantists claim that the language
has already attained "perfection" and feel it is their duty to point out
perceived "imperfections" to disabuse the ignorant of their folly.

This is of course obliquely related to the Ido schism, insofar as it is
grounded in a similar misunderstanding of the intention of this 
international language. The Idists  also sought to make the language more
"perfect", but did so close enough to the release date that there was
some sense *at that time* to propose a version Esp2.0. But the 
proposed "improvements" were rejected, which ought to have ended the 
discussion. Yet many dabblers in Esperanto are alltoo quick to treat the
language as a mere project...

-- 
Miko SLOPER                   elna@netcom.com         USA  (510) 653 0998
Direktoro de la          ftp.netcom.com:/pub/el/elna   fax (510) 653 1468 
Centra Oficejo de la     Learn Esperanto! Free lessons: e-mail/snail-mail
Esperanto-Ligo de N.A.      Write to above address or call 1-800-828 5944
