Some Words about Ludwig Zamenhof

Some Words about Ludwig Zamenhof

Ludwig Zamenhoff was born on 15 December 1859 in Belstock (Poland, in those times it was a part of Russian Empire). His father Mark was a teacher of foreign languages.

Besides his native Russian language, he learned Polish, German, French, English, Latin, ancient Greek and even ancient Irish.

Zamenhoff learned medicine in Moscow and Warsaw universities, then worked as a doctor - oculist. The Zamenhoff - doctor got big popularity in poor quarters of Warsaw, Grodno, Kherson since he frequently treated poor men free-of- charge.

On 26 July 1887 in Warsaw a 41-page book was published. This date is the birthday of Esperanto language.

Zamenhoff lived for 58 years and died on 14 April, 1917.

Where does Esperanto’s vocabulary come from?

About 75 % of Esperanto's vocabulary comes from Latin and Romance languages (especially French), about 20 % comes from Germanic languages (German and English), and the rest comes mainly from Slavic languages (Russian and Polish) and Greek (mostly scientific terms).

How can I use Esperanto once I've learned it?

Esperanto is an ideal second language. Many adults want to learn another language, but don't have the time or energy to learn a national language.

Correspondence. Write to people in a dozen countries without learning a dozen languages.

Travel. Esperanto can be used to see the world. There are lists of Esperanto speakers willing to host other Esperantists in their own house or apartment for free.

International understanding. You can't be friends with people if you can't talk to them! Esperanto helps break down the language barriers between countries.

Meeting people from other countries, especially at conventions, or when Esperanto speakers from other countries come visiting. (It's also a good way to meet interesting people from your own country! )

Joining the world. Esperanto is a way to treat everyone on our planet on the basis of complete equality, meeting them half-way. No more trying to communicate " uphill" for one side.

Literature. The world's masterpieces have been translated to Esperanto, including the Kalevala and works by Garcia Marquez, Shakespeare, Gibran, Brecht, Tagore, Dante, and Mickiewicz. Many works have been translated to Esperanto which are not available in one's own language.

Hobbies, especially collecting, or discussing any subject with people in other countries.

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