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From: antony@cix.compulink.co.uk ("Antony Rawlinson")
Subject: Re: One point against Esperanto
Message-ID: <D4y101.7EA@cix.compulink.co.uk>
Organization: ABC                           
References: <794020815snz@storcomp.demon.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 1995 01:19:13 GMT
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Lines: 36

> > ... it even tells a mother a "female father" ("mother" in
> > Esperanto is "patrino", that literally means "she-father")?
> > ...
> > I think that might cause a revolution...,
> > ...
> 
> I agree. Also in Esperanto there is no pronoun meaning person of
> indeterminate gender (like writing "he/she" in English).

There is: "tiu" (possessive "ties").

> If Esperanto was adopted by the EU, I expect that that would be
> changed, to something like this:
> 
>      patr-o      parent
>      patr-iv-o   father
>      patr-in-o   mother

Fair point.  This is no new discussion point among active Esperantists.

> While they're at it they could also abolish the -n accusative ending,
> and adjective agreement using -j. And change some spellings to make it
> easier to recognise words ...

I earnestly hope that the EU would not do this.  There have been a number 
of attempts to "improve" Esperanto over the years, the most notable one 
being Ido, but they have generally introduced worse problems than they 
were intended to solve.  I understand that you are learning the language, 
and I want to offer all encouragement.  Without intending any disrespect, 
though, I venture to say that when you know Esperanto well, you will not 
favour making these last-mentioned changes.

> ...
> Phil Hunt...philip@storcomp.demon.co.uk

All best wishes, Antony.
