Linguistic imperialism

[Joe Laferriere]

> Then .. how about Esperanto?

I am glad to hear someone bring up Esperanto. Mi scias bone paroli
Esperanton [=I know how to speak it well]. Esperanto was discussed by the
League of Nations after World War I as a potential language for League
use. The idea was vetoed by the UK on the grounds that English already
was the world language, and by the French on the grounds that French
already was the world language. Since World War II, the predominant use
of English is based on the political power of the US. The use of English
is deeply resented by many people in many countries. If the political
power of the US should falter, as seems likely given the self-destructive
political situation here at present, the world-wide use of English will
very likely disintegrate with it. Hence the desire by me and others to
use a neutral language such as Latin or Esperanto not tied to short-term
political and social considerations.