Auxiliary languages
Photo: Batisteo, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Auxiliary languages are artificial or constructed languages created with the intent of facilitating communication between peoples who would otherwise have difficulty communicating. They are separate from lingua francas, which are natural or organic languages that become dominant for one reason or another as means of communication between speakers of other languages.
This page is meant as a guide to the possible interests of international auxiliary languages in the realm of travel. Speakers of auxiliary languages like Esperanto often have conventions, meetups, and other gatherings on a regular basis, with speakers often traveling great distances to attend. The speakers also form communities, where an overseas speaker might easily be able to make local acquaintances.
Common or famous international auxiliary languages
How many people speak auxiliary languages worldwide?Different auxiliary languages have risen and fallen since many were created in the 19th century. At its peak in the 1880s, Volapük had about 100,000 speakers, though now it has only a few dozen fluent speakers.
Esperanto distributionThe speakers of auxiliary languages are not evenly distributed; the chance to find somebody who could communicate with you in that language is much higher in some regions.
HistoryThe first auxiliary language to gain enough ground to have large conferences was Volapük, which held meetings throughout its heyday in the 1880s, with the last one in Paris in 1889, in which participants spoke only in…
EventsOf the handful of these languages with substantial communities, a few have meetings and conventions. Esperanto has multiple events most years. Ido has at least one event every year.
Home stayAs the speakers usually appreciate meeting fellow speakers, there may be possibilities to have a local host, if you know the language. For Esperanto this is formalized in the Pasporta Servo.
RespectAs the auxiliary languages are a try at replacing lingua francas, such as English, using those in the auxiliary language communities is a touchy issue.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Auxiliary languages" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Batisteo, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons