Rolo de la planlingvo esperanto en Mez-Orienta Eŭropo

Abstract

(Role of the Planned Language Esperanto in Central-Eastern Europe). After a short review of language usage in EU in different fields of international communication, the linguistic situation in the Visegrad-countries will be presented. The questions of costs, efficacy, neutrality and equality in communication will be treated. The avowed goal of multilingualism will be contrasted with the reality of ever expanding English usage. The planned language Esperanto – born in Eastern Europe – offers an alternate tool for egalitarian and cost-effective communication at different levels. Its role in the Central- Eastern European region will be analyzed in teaching, in examination system of the Com- mon European Framework of Reference for Languages and in practical relations between citizens and organizations (such as partner cities). Some Esperanto-related initiatives are manifested in the intercultural communication between people of all ages from grade school pupils to senior citizens. The efforts of Esperanto organizations in European policy (e.g. defense of linguistic human rights for individuals and minorities) also will be re- ported.