Re: Use Esperanto, people!, Reader feedback, May 24 - 30, Vol 10, No 20
The interethnic use of English is neither fair nor democratic, and gives a huge unearned advantage to one group:
Why should the 8 percent native-speakers of English in the world be so privileged as to dictate that the other 92 percent of the world use their language?
If you think that the present hegemony of English in the world is not an officially sanctioned US and UK neocolonial policy, then read for example Robert Phillipson’s International Languages and International Human Rights or something by Tove Skutnab Kangas.
How many hours does it take to become proficient in English? You can achieve the same level in Esperanto in one-fifth to one-tenth of that time - is this not more cost effective and rational?
For those who refuse even to investigate Esperanto, are you aware that Radio Polonia and China Radio International already broadcast daily in Esperanto and that Vatican Radio also does so thrice weekly? Even the Pope now uses it in his urbi et orbi blessings.
Why must the newly accepted states of the EU communicate with Brussels in English?
Shouldn’t they have the same rights as everybody else to use their own languages? Equal language rights for all are better attainable by using the non-ethnic, common second language Esperanto, rather than being a fifth column for McEnglish.
Brian,
Vancouver, Canada
