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Numerous attempts have been made to create a single "world language," understood by everyone, or at least by large numbers of people whose native languages are diverse. Some of these invented languages have enjoyed more popularity than others, but none is really widely known or used the world over. The reasons for this are many, and include disinclination to learn and use an additional language - particularly if it differs considerably from one's native language, -- difficulty in learning the "universal" language, pronunciation difficulties for speakers whose native language does not include some of the sounds used in the "universal" language, the diversity among the languages of the world in grammar as well as vocabulary, the tendency to mispronounce the written language because letters are used to represent different sounds than in a language one is more familiar with, the "provincial" desire to cling to what is familiar, the fact than an invented language typically has no literature, the fear of loss of culture associated with one's native language, and difficulty in finding another speaker to talk with if one does make the attempt to learn such a universal language. Some languages may be invented for fun, apart from literature. Boontling is such a one. Other Invented and Artificial Languages
updated 10-19-2001 "Boontling is the name given by its speakers to a deliberately contrived jargon which was spoken extensively between 1880 and 1920 in the upper Anderson Valley of Mendocino County, California. This name, an abbreviated, self-explaining compound, is itself a typical word in the jargon. 'Boont' is the local term for Boonville, the largest town in the valley and traditionally the service center of the upper portion of the area; 'ling' is slightly abbreviated 'lingo.' Boontling, then, is the lingo of Boonville." At the zenith of its development, Boontling contained a basic vocabulary of more than 1000 words and phrases, and nearly 3000 specialized names for inhabitants of the area and for local geographical features. It was spoken and/or understood by most of the approximately 500 people in the rural community. Three differing accounts of its origins are given by informants; all 3 agree that it originated as a secret language, but then spread, perhaps via public school, to the general populace. A conscious effort was made to coin additional words. Boontling is still studied today, both as an unusual linguistic phenomenon, and by local valley residents who wish to know more of their heritage. (The quote is from the book by Charles Adams.) 427.973 Adams, Charles C A211b Boontling RID: 77-147871 ITEM #: boo00001 Boontling
updated 1-14-2002 Ehmay ghee chah, properly written in its own script, is an artificial language invented by Elmer J. Hankes. Writings about it were first published in 1992. Hankes intended that this language be a second language for everyone; in other words, everyone in the world could learn it, not to replace their native language, but for universal commu- nication. Thus, he nicknamed it "USL," or ""universal second language." In fact, "Ehmay ghee chah" means "second language." It also includes "UNN," a system of "universal numerical nomenclature." He also devised a means of signing it for the deaf, and of computerizing it. It is written in its own set of symbols. 499.99 Hankes, Elmer Joseph, 1913- H241u A universal second language. -- Minneapolis, Minn. : Hankes Foundation, 1992. At head of title: Ehmay ghee chah. RID: wln92-470845 ITEM #: ehm00001 Ehmay ghee chah
updated 10-19-2001 Esperanto was invented by Dr. Lazarus Ludwig Zamenhof, of Warsaw, Poland, and first publicized in 1887. Dr. Zamenhof devised it from assorted natural language elements and "root-words," chiefly from Latin, Greek, and the Germanic and Romance languages. The grammar is simple, with no irregularities; the vocabulary must be memorized, but much of it will sound familiar to speakers of Indo-European languages. His intent was to create an international language that people everywhere would learn, and with the resultant understanding, there would be world peace. "Esperanto" means "hopeful one;" he signed his invention "Dr. Esperanto," and the name stuck. Those who know Esperanto wear a small green star lapel pin, so they can spot one another. A number of people in a wide array of countries have learned Esperanto, and some books have been written in it, as well as some classic literature translated into it. Esperanto may be heard over the radio in Europe, and it has been used at some international gatherings. It is by far the most popular of "international" or "world" languages, and today is "the world's only full-blown international language in actual spoken use."* Among others overshadowed by Esperanto was Volapuk, invented by Monsignor Schleyer, a German cleric, about 1885. (*Pei, Mario. Talking your way around the world. 3rd. ed. New York : Harper & Row, 1971. p. 114.) 408.92 Angla antologio, 1000-1800 A589 RID: wln81-53554 ITEM #: esp00001 408.92 Bible. Esperanto. 1954. Zamenhof B582s La Sankta Biblio RID: wln86-113959 ITEM #: esp00002 408.92 Boulton, Marjorie Z24Zb Zamenhof, creator of Esperanto RID: 60-4379 ITEM #: esp00003 408.92 Dillinger, Harley Elvyn, 1889- D578i Introduction to Esperanto 1956 RID: wln86-113902 ITEM #: esp00004 408.92 Heyerdahl, Thor H615k Ekspedicio Kon-Tiki RID: wln86-114512 ITEM #: esp00005 580.6 International Botanical Congress. 9th, Montreal, I614r 1959 1959 Proceedings. - Toronto : RID: 59-52594 ITEM #: esp00014 408.92 Kenngott, Alfred, 1878- , ed. K36i Internacia legolibro ... RID: wln86-133941 ITEM #: esp00006 895.608 Kokusai Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo, Japan). Toshoshitsu X Modern Japanese literature in western K795m translations : a bibliography. - Tokyo : International House of Japan Library, 1972 RID: 72-188196 ITEM #: dut00110 409 Lingvaj problemoj kaj lingvo-planado L2872 RID: sn80-8496 ITEM #: fre01019 408.92 Migliorini, Elio M634e Esperanta legolibro 1958 RID: wln86-135794 ITEM #: esp00008 408.92 Millidge, Edward A M654e The Esperanto-English dictionary 1922 Ref. RID: wln86-133952 ITEM #: esp00009 408.92 Novaj Esperanto-historietoj ... N935 RID: wln86-133965 ITEM #: esp00010 408.92 Omar Khayyam O54p Poemoj RID: a54-6011 ITEM #: esp00011 581.105 Plant and cell physiology. - Tokyo : P7132 RID: 63-50125 ITEM #: esp00015 408.92 Privat, Edmond, 1889- Z24Zp Vivo de Zamenhof RID: wln86-113783 ITEM #: esp00012 408.92 Zamenhof, Ludwik Lazar, 1859-1917 Z24z Zamenhofa legolibro RID: wln86-134171 ITEM #: esp00013 Esperanto
updated 12-14-2001 Glan-ik was invented by Eugene Ware to provide a trade language, one that could be universally used. It was never intended to replace any other language, but to serve as an aid to commerce. Based largely on English, and intended to be easy to learn, Glan-ik works on a principle of condensing multi-syllabic words. Thus, "Anglo- American" becomes "glan," with "-ik" added as an adjective terminal. Words were reduced to monosyllables, and some could be broken down into component parts having understood meaning. Each syllable became a separate word, such as "ez" for the plural number. There is also a corresponding typeface, unique to Glan-ik, as well as a style of writing which is similar to shorthand, albeit quite different. Pronunciation is to remain the same as that for a speaker's native language. 408.9 Ware, Eugene Fitch, 1841-1911 W268g The glan-ik RID: 06-24561 ITEM #: gla00001 Glan-ik
updated 12-14-2001 Hom-idyomo was invented by Cipriano Cardenas, as an attempt to create a universal language and thereby foster world peace. His hope was that it would replace Latin as a language everywhere understood. So he began with Latin roots and fragments from five modern languages and added (mostly English) endings, connecting words, and enough grammar to make it work. The author admits that he knows little English. According to him, Hom-idyomo has a larger vocabulary than Esperanto, but is somewhat more difficult to learn. The name means "Mankind's idiom." 408.9 Cardenas, Cipriano, 1858- C25h Hom-idyomo RID: 25-2058 ITEM #: hom00001 Hom-idyomo
updated 10-19-2001 Invented by Elisabeth Wainscott, UNI is intended as an international language for use by "the masses, not just scholars." Because it is simple, the author hopes that it can be learned by kindergartners, as well as semi-literate people. She claims it can be learned in 30 minutes -- perhaps with reference to a vocabulary list. Perhaps it has an application in computer translation. (The name is in all caps because all words in UNI are written in all caps.) 499.99 Wainscott, Elisabeth W141u UNI, the new international language : with travel & Ref. reference dictionary in 34 languages. -- 1974. RID: 73-94393 ITEM #: uni00001 499.99 Wainscott, Elisabeth W141u UNI, the new international language : supplement : Suppl. English language ed. Ref. RID: wln80-18367 ITEM #: uni00002 UNI
updated 12-14-2001 Works on unidentified or multiple universal languages, plus works on artificial and universal languages in general are listed here. Such languages are often called "artificial" to distinguish them from "natural" languages. 499.99 Knowlson, James K73u Universal language schemes … RID: 73-81759 ITEM #: art00001 499.99 Large, Andrew L322a The artificial language movement RID: 85-6206 ITEM #: art00002 Other Universal Languages
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