POINTS FROM OTHER LETTERS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23916, 7 April 1943, Page 4

POINTS FROM OTHER LETTERS

J. A. Hodges writes: "Latin, once an international written language of the learned, as a spoken medium between even two moderns, is hopelessly inadequate; pronunciation and vocabulary alone forbid. It nas never been tried out in a series of international congresses. Esperanto, the ‘poor man’s Latin,’ works well.” H. J. Buttle writes; "An ancient proverb states that lacking a tail a fox desired that deficiency to become a fashion. Universalists in regard to language or otherwise expect that if we all wear the same tale we will become a happy family. An empty delusion, because truth is the same in any language and it is the lack of it that hampers man and will continue to do so in one or many tales or languages.” "It may be of interest to those who advocate Latin as a universal language,” writes N. M. Bell, "to know that 70 per cent, of the roots in Esperanto are of Latin origin, so that Esperanto itself may be regarded as a simplified Latin. (By the way, Esperanto may likewise be regarded as a simplified English.)” E, D. Bernstein writes: “Latin in practical use in the British Empire is decidedly Anglicised Latin. Esperanto has proved practical for use in science, art, philosophy: in fact, in all branches of education and culture. Esperanto is flexible, euphonious, easy to learn and memorise.” “Forty years ago,” writes “my parents learnt Esperanto. As a child I learnt to understand what they said, although 1 had no lessons, for it is such a simple language, without irregularities. G. F. Seward’s suggestion of Latin as an international medium would be a much more difficult matter. Even after studying Latin thoroughly at a secondary school and university, I am sure I could not have followed a person who spoke in that language unless I had previously known what would be said.”

“Saxon” suggests English as the “aptest language for universal purposes. It is the native tongue of. far more people than any other one. It is the second language of many millions more. It is easy to make yourself understood in, even if you know only a very little of it. It has very few verb conjugations; there are scarcely any exceptions to the plural rule: it has no genders; it has the world’s finest literature. Esperanto is a made language. Untold trouble has been taken to spread it in the last 50 years, but still it is little known.”

John Gebbie (Eyreton) writes; “Again have Messrs Coates and Hamilton shown wisdom and discretion in their statement in casting aside political feeling and awaiting an election until the country is normal. I admire their motto. ‘United we stand, divided we fall’.”

Eric Williams (Waipara) asks for instructions for tanning a wild pig’s skin now stretched out to dry.