Esperanto and the libertarian movement

national | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis

Wednesday May 09, 2007 21:04

by Alcjo

klasbatalemo at yahoo dot ie

Esperanto and the libertarian movement

The purpose of this short article is, firstly, to inform readers of the benefits to be had learning the international language –Esperanto, secondly, to illustrate how the Esperanto movement, through the
efforts of its world body SAT (Sennacieca Asocio Tutmondo, or non-national world association of
Esperanto) is strongly committed to the fight for workers’ rights worldwide, and against the rise of
global capitalism, and finally to look ahead to the possibility of forming a Workers’ Esperantist Movement throughout Ireland.

In many countries, poor social conditions and political oppression prevent individuals from reaching their full potential and psychological well-being. Through Esperanto, and its non-nationalist organisation SAT, the people of the world are more able to communicate and share their experience. It helps them develop a sense of understanding in which every individual is respected and valued, and has the same rights. Esperanto is based on principles of understanding and of solidarity and is opposed to all forms of oppression.

But why learn Esperanto?

1. Esperanto does not belong to any nation, and therefore all its speakers communicate on equal terms. With any other language, it is always the native speaker who has the advantage.
2. Esperanto encourages freedom and freedom of expression across frontiers regardless of race or
creed.
3. Esperanto is the easiest language you can learn, due to its regular grammar and pronunciation. 10
minutes a day for 3 months will give the learner all the Esperanto s/he needs to write, for example,
political articles in one of the many Esperanto political magazines that are published on a regular
basis. Oral fluency is just as quick!!!
4. Esperanto is spoken in over 80 countries in the world.
5. Esperanto is the most common-sense and cost-effective solution to translation problems in
large world organisations.
6. Esperanto does not threaten a countries’ individual culture or language, but offers a common means of communication for all

About SAT

SAT was formed in 1921 with the aim of creating a worldwide dialogue for the working class. Since then, in spite of persecution by both by Stalinist Russia and Hitler’s Germany, it has survived to set up a network of class struggle anarchists and communists throughout the world. Apart from having libertarian and communist factions, SAT has, among others, an ecological and a ‘free-thinking’ faction. The organisation of SAT, its magazines, journals, annual congresses is run on a strictly libertarian basis. As article 1.3 of the SAT statutes declare, it: ‘…is for the freedom of its class and the leading of mankind to the highest possible level of civilisation and culture.’

Workers Esperanto Associations exist in many countries worldwide. Ireland has fallen behind in this regard. If you are interested in getting involved in helping to build such a movement or are just interested in Esperanto generally, email me at: klasbatalemo@yahoo.ie

For a free online course, go to:

http://pacujo.net/esperanto/course/

For SAT in Britain, go to SATEB at:
http://www.geocities.com/satebejo/

For more information about SAT, go to:
http://www.satesperanto.org/