Comments on: Back from Montréal

By: Margreet

Margreet — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:25:29 +0000

Jon, I can read and understand spoken Esperanto just fine. The passive knowledge I have gained in just a few months amazes me. For instance, I can’t really remember whether something in those video’s was said in Esperanto or Dutch. The only other language that does the same to me is English. But I’m terribly bad at “practicing” things like writing and speaking or any kind of rote learning. I didn’t learn English (or any other language) that way. I somehow just absorbed it by listening and reading and gradually I began to write and speak it. I’m more than confident the same will happen with Esperanto if I keep listening and reading.

I won’t be able to go to Rotterdam even though the distance from were I live is “around the corner” by American standards. Nederlando estas malgranda lando! But I’m swamped in work right now.

Apart from the potential of Esperanto to solve a lot of world problems, it also has special meaning for me because that very same idea, the “interna ideo” was very much supported by my grandfather. It’s part of my heritage.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:23:45 +0000

@Margreet Dankegon! Thanks for the links. I still haven’t had time to watch both videos completely, but I will.

BTW, How’s your Esperanto study coming? And are you going to be to take part in any of the UEA Kongreso’s activities in Rotterdam?

@Trevor Thanks. It really was a wonderful experience.

By: Trevor Harden

Trevor Harden — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:46:42 +0000

Jon- So glad you enjoyed your trip. I enjoyed reading about your time there and about a subject that I know virtually nothing about. “Love, Compassion and Tolerance” – certainly qualities the world can use more of.

Welcome back…

By: Margreet

Margreet — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:53:10 +0000

Wow! I dropped by to see if you perchance had posted something about the Esperanto World Congres that’s happening in Rotterdam right now. Good to hear that there is a Pan American one too!

Not that I went there (Rotterdam), but I have just been watching a broadcast about an earlier congress (1998) in Montpellier and that made me think of you.

If you want to see it (some Dutch, lots of Esperanto)
http://geschiedenis.vpro.nl/artikelen/39817040/

Click the first video (De Nalatenschap van doctor Esperanto). You’ll get a screen with two sets of choices. Don’t bother with the first one, the video defaults to Windows Mediaplayer no matter what. The second is between dial-up (smalband)and DSL/Cable (breedband. Klik “opslaan” and the video should play.

A very touching scene in the second “Dutch” bit. The man cries because he remembers how Esperantist were persecuted and murdered by the Nazi’s. The couple learned Esperanto from refugee Esparantists.

The video left me with the same feeling of love, compassion and tolerance. Wonderful!