tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717934544596669045.post4725686573116446820..comments2013-09-29T12:38:05.640-07:00Comments on HippoCampus Blog: The Benefits of Learning a Second LanguageMonterey Institute for Technology and Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12256589650403427946noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717934544596669045.post-86062547053220287562009-10-15T11:49:44.945-07:002009-10-15T11:49:44.945-07:00Diana brings up a good point regarding the cultura...Diana brings up a good point regarding the cultural implications and assumptions exhibited through language.<br />While I would agree that Esperanto does not necessarily bring the same underlying layer of meaning as other languages, I do not think that it is purely an exercise in style.<br />Every language certainly brings with it hidden meaning and sub-text. Usually, these underlying layers pertain to some form of national identity or cultural narrative. However, Esperanto was created specifically to supersede national boundaries, and therefore cannot be defined in the same way as other languages.<br />It is my understanding that Esperanto was created to foster peace and understanding in the world. I would venture a guess that these roots would instill Esperanto speakers with a different kind of sub-text: that of peace and understanding (as opposed to national identity). For example, according to Wikipedia, the very name "Esperanto" means "one who hopes". <br />I would be interested to hear what a speaker of the language would have to say on this subject!Jonathan Lopezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14272656237270069241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717934544596669045.post-50234732181399111172009-10-15T02:52:14.760-07:002009-10-15T02:52:14.760-07:00I think the reason why Esperanto is not so widely ...I think the reason why Esperanto is not so widely spoken might be that it is a language created to communicate, without going into the dept of communication, that is what you express with words, structures and function, what kind of mentality and culture is behind those words. <br />I think it's not only a question of having common words that everybody can understand. <br />When you learn a second language, you learn about a nation and its people, you understand how they think through how they say things. Even grammar give you an idea of how people see the world! You learn about culture, about other people and how they are, different in some ways, same in others. <br />If you try a common language without the ... I don't know in English but in Italian you would call it "substrato", a layer under it, it's an empty effort to imitate something that is grown together with man itself. A pure exercise of style.<br />But I think communication is more than this.<br />And it's amazing.Dìhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02665069675655272666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717934544596669045.post-84710079482035348462009-10-15T02:36:15.025-07:002009-10-15T02:36:15.025-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Dìhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02665069675655272666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717934544596669045.post-7525185549924083002009-05-02T12:16:00.000-07:002009-05-02T12:16:00.000-07:00What an interestying post! I speak English, Welsh,...What an interestying post! I speak English, Welsh, French, German and Esperanto. I'm sure Brian Bartker is wise to suggest wider use of Esperanto. It may make sense to learn Spanish to conduct business in Mexico, but Spanish is of little help in dealings with, say Bulgaria or Finland. I'm all in favour of all language learning, and I think you've given a good account of the benefits. Sadly, life is not long enough to learn every language on earth, and Esperanto is already of use in a wide range of countries. It was never intended, of course, for Esperanto to take the place of ethnic languages, but to serve as a neutral auxiliary language where needed.Bill Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12810992711601197508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717934544596669045.post-32789312657435822722009-05-01T16:02:00.000-07:002009-05-01T16:02:00.000-07:00The adoption of a worldwide, neutral common second...The adoption of a worldwide, neutral common second language could do a great deal, both in terms of developing international relationships and improving efficiency. However, the likelihood of worldwide acceptance is, in my opinion, unlikely. I think there is a better chance for a worldwide common currency than a worldwide common language. For now, I think, second languages will continue to be much more focused (a utilitarian point of view, such as learning Spanish to conduct business in Mexico).Jonathan Lopezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14272656237270069241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6717934544596669045.post-67261062756443624482009-02-04T03:00:00.000-08:002009-02-04T03:00:00.000-08:00I notice that Barack Obama wants everyone to learn...I notice that Barack Obama wants everyone to learn another language, but which one should it be? The British learn French, the Australians study Japanese, and the Americans prefer Spanish. <BR/><BR/>Why not decide on a non-national neutral common language, taught worldwide, in all nations?<BR/><BR/>An interesting video can be seen at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8837438938991452670. A glimpse of Esperanto can be seen at http://www.lernu.netBrian Barkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17619597021388228806noreply@blogger.com