Hello, bom dia, and bonan tagon! ☀️ Today I want to share something close to my heart — namely my love for Esperanto, the international language that’s all about bringing people together. If you’ve read my posts about crypto, blockchain, or solar energy, you know I’m a bit of a geek for ideas that connect people and push boundaries. Esperanto fits right into that passion, and I’m excited to dive into why this language has me hooked!
Flag of Esperanto
Discovering Esperanto: A Spark of Curiosity
I first encountered Esperanto as a kid, in sci-fi books by an American writer Harry Harrison. In his books Esperanto was a universal language that humanity spoke across the galaxy in the distant future. I was fascinated by that vision! Later, when we got a dial-up connection to the Internet at home, I discovered an email-based correspondence course of Esperanto and immediately signed up for it (I was 15 or 16 at the time).
It was really cool to discover a language with only 16 grammar rules and no exceptions. I dove into learning it out of pure nerdiness, but my reward was connecting with people from all over the world.
Why Esperanto? It’s More Than Just Words
So, what’s the big deal about Esperanto? For me, it’s about the community and the vision. Esperanto isn’t just a language; it’s a movement. 🌐 It’s about creating a space where no one’s native tongue dominates, and everyone’s on equal footing. As someone who’s volunteered with the Swedish Red Cross to help refugees with their homework, I’ve seen how language barriers can isolate people. Esperanto breaks those barriers down. It’s like the blockchain of languages — decentralized, transparent, and built for trust.
The grammar is a breeze — think of it like Python for languages: clean, logical, and no unnecessary fluff. You can form dozens of words from a single root using prefixes and suffixes, which makes it super flexible. For example, take the root “san-” (health). Add “-a” for “sana”(healthy), “-o” for “sano” (health), or “mal-” for “malsana” (unhealthy). It’s like building with LEGO bricks!
Esperanto in Action: Connecting Across Borders
At the World Esperanto Congress in Lahti, Finland
I spoke Esperanto with people in Canada, the New York City, Boston (I did a short course in web development at MIT – it was taught in Esperanto), San Francisco, Tajikistan, South Korea, and Japan. I participated in regional gatherings and global conventions. It’s been enormously instrumental in broadening my mind’s horizons.
A ChatGPT-generate image of me as a toy figure as a teacher of Esperanto
I love teaching Esperanto too. It’s not just about learning words; it’s about sharing a mindset. I’ve led study groups where beginners go from zero to holding basic conversations in a few short months. Currently I volunteer teaching Esperanto once a week to a group of adult learners in the city where I live.
Why Esperanto Matters Today
In a world that sometimes feels divided, Esperanto is a reminder that we can build bridges. It’s not about replacing your native language; it’s about adding a tool to your toolkit. Whether you’re a coder, a traveler, or just someone who loves ideas, Esperanto opens doors. I’ve seen it bring together anarchists, students, and workers in the past (shoutout to the history of groups like SAT, the World Anationalist Association, which used Esperanto to unite people across borders). Today, it’s still alive, evolving, and connecting people on platforms like this one (shout out to my amiko @lapingvino )
If you’re curious, I’d love to share more tips on getting started with Esperanto. It’s easier than you think — drop a comment below or hit me up in the Hive community, and maybe we can organize a virtual Esperanto chat. Who knows? You might find yourself saying “Saluton, mondo!” (Hello, world!) in no time.
Until next time, keep exploring, keep connecting, and let’s make the world a smaller, friendlier place—one word at a time.
Ĝis revido morgaŭ! 😉
