The language challenge -- facing up to reality

A former UN and WHO translator, who is also a psychologist -- Claude Piron taught for 20 years at the Psychology Department of the University of Geneva - shares his experience of international communication and discusses the international language Esperanto.
Subtitled in others languages:
http://dotsub.com/films/thelanguage/
http://min.us/mL783voxh

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Dannir
• Lausanne
• Language
• Claude
• Piron
• Esperanto
• international
• intercultural

[MrLingualistic]

Of course international conferences in Esperanto would be more 'lively', it's a one-language conference. But you forget the fact that if we adopt with a universal language there will be no originality of countries, no unique cultures. It sounds nice and all but remember that not many people speak Esperanto!! English is still the most popular language hands down. I'm not saying learning Esperanto is a waste of time but the language may not be as useful as 'Esperantists' make it seem to be.

[DannirLsne]

Esperanto should never be a national language, but the language of communication ONLY. English is the language of people, Esperanto the language for all. It is necessary to keep for each one his language, his originalities and his culture. Esperamto is the language easiest to learn for all. English is not a popular language… too difficult to learn and to know perfectly. Esperanto is neutral.

[mechatech70]

@cicciontek Ah, that is very sad. Thank you for replying though.

[cicciontek]

@mechatech70 Piron's first language was French, i suppose (from Belgium). Died in 2008, you can read of him in internet.

[mechatech70]

What was your first language? Your accent is quiet good.

[mechatech70]

@cicciontek Italian is a amazing language.

[mechatech70]

@MrLingualistic Ugh. Esperanto as the ONLY language? That is the worst idea I've ever heard. Nobody wants that, anyway. Esperantists (the majority) want Esperanto to be a universal second language. Imagine a world where you could go anywhere and talk to anyone, and STILL get to keep the languages and cultures! It would be a much better world. Plus, it would be so much easier to learn other languages, which are among man kind's greatest gifts to itself.

[timigaguy]

i wounder if Esperanto websites would be immune to censorship...this would be a great help

[alejandro31192]

@junit483 Why do you say so? Ask esperanto speakers which speak English as native language.

English seems easy to learn for everyone except those who do not speak a germanic language as a native language

(93% of the world population do not speak a germanic language as native language).

[junit483]

Seems easy to learn for everyone except those who speak english as a native language.