Esperanto was designed to be easy to learn. Find out all you need to know about Esperanto language learning, with tips on where to start. ĝis revido!
Esperanto is an international language, developed in 1887 to foster better communication between people who don’t share a mutual language. Originally devised as a language of peace and hope, the idea behind Esperanto language learning has always to help people to communicate across divides, whether they be language, class, politics or religion.
Importantly though, Esperanto was also designed as a language that is easy to learn, with completely regular grammar, pronunciation and spelling. This makes it possibly the easiest language to learn from scratch! If you speak a language based on Latin, such as Italian or French, you will have a head start, as Esperanto, like them, is based on Latin. If you speak English (if you are reading this, that’s quite likely) then you will also recognise a lot of words, and a lot of the roots as well. This helps a lot with Esperanto language learning!
A brief history of Esperanto
“Espero” means “hope” in Esperanto, and the word Esperanto, in Esperanto, means “one who hopes”.
It was invented around 150 years ago by L. L. Zamenhof, a Polish ophthalmologist, who envisioned a neutral language to bridge communication gaps and promote peace. Throughout the 1870s and 80s, he developed the new language, drawing vocabulary from major European languages.
Following the publication in 1887, of a book titled “Unua Libro” (The First Book), the language quickly established itself, mainly in Europe, and over the next century its popularity ebbed and flowed. It remains a minority language – not perhaps the universal tongue that Zamenhof hoped would be adopted en masse, but there are currently at least two million people who speak Esperanto, and many more learning it.
Today, Esperanto speakers hold regular conferences and events around the world, creating a unique space for Esperanto language learning and fostering a strong sense of community among Esperantists (Esperanto speakers).
So you’d like to learn Esperanto: how do you go about it?
These days, Esperanto language learning is easier than ever. Online platforms like Duolingo and Google Translate make it really accessible, so you can get stuck in and start building your vocabulary.
Espero and Esperanto
Here at Nova Polaris, we wouldn’t describe ourselves as great at learning languages. We didn’t ever get the hang of English grammar, and don’t ask us to tell you what a fronted adverbial is. Learning languages has never been something that comes naturally.
Despite all that, a few years ago, our singer, Bon, decided to learn a language, and had a look on the app Duolingo to see what was available. He noticed there was an Esperanto course, and over the next few weeks, managed to complete the whole course! The reason Esperanto language learning is so quick – even if you’re not a natural – is that unlike other languages, it’s actually been designed for learners. There aren’t any genders to get the hang of, and the word endings are consistent and all seem to make sense. You can make real progress, to the point where you can soon have a conversation or read a book.
You can even – if you’re that way inclined – write a song, such as our track Espero.
Esperanto language learning resources
As we’ve said, there are lots of useful resources for learning Esperanto, and we hope you’ll find, like us, that it’s a really easy and enjoyable language to learn. If you are interested, like Bon, a great place to start is to try the course on Duolingo.
The Esperanto Association of Britain are also an excellent resource for anything Esperanto related, including language learning courses.
Or if you want to do a fun online course then you can also try Londona Esperanto-Klubo.
And of course, the UEA are the World Esperanto Association, so sort of in charge of the language.
There’s also loads more information on the international language, and Esperanto language learning, on these sites:
Once you’ve learned the basics in Esperanto, why not listen to our song Espero too, and work out the lyrics?
ĝis revido!
Nova Polaris 
Leave a comment