English vs. Esperanto

Rosie Right’s article “Translating Chinglish” (News & Features, June 25) is very interesting. I am not sure that standard or comprehensible English is as widespread or useful as people claim.

I would like to argue the case for Esperanto as the international language. It’s a planned language which belongs to no one country or group of states. Esperanto works! I’ve used it in speech and writing in a dozen countries over recent years.

Indeed, the language has some remarkable practical benefits. Personally, I’ve made friends around the world through Esperanto that I would never have been able to communicate with otherwise. And then there’s the Pasporta Servo, which provides free lodging and local information to Esperanto-speaking travelers in over 90 countries. Promoting Esperanto can contribute to keeping English clear and comprehensible.

Bill Chapman
Wales, U.K.

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