One World, One Voice Project.org

I have been reading some of the discussion that’s going on about “One World, One Voice” in usegroups like “auxlang”.

Evidently, people are curious as to how we arrived at our “subjective criteria” and they are offering their own opinions on the matter.

Well, once again we have to use Esperanto as an example.

If you ask someone who is not involved with Esperanto (or do some serious searching on the internet, or show an Esperanto text or audio recording to a random group of people) you’ll find that most of them are not all that enthusiastic about it. They say it sounds weird, or that it sounds harsh, or that it doesn’t sound pleasant, or… or… or. Continue reading ‘What is Subjective?’ »

Apparently our project struck a nerve with a lot of people, despite the fact that our site has only been operational for a few days.

Our Alexa rating is going through the roof and we appreciate that, but the questions just keep coming. We would like everyone to post comments on the site, instead of emailing us, but here are the answers to some of the questions.

“Did you finalize the language selection process?”

No. We simply researched all available information on the question of auxiliary languages, and used objective and subjective criteria to narrow it down to two, or possibly three, candidates. In the end we found only two auxlangs that met most of the criteria and those were Interlingua and Ido.

“Do you belong to a particular auxlang group?”

No. We try to be as neutral, and as objective as possible.

“What if the whole process turns into a big mess?”

If for some reason the project turns into a circus, and there can be no agreement, we are prepared to go at it alone. In that case we would select the best option available and would work with individuals and groups that support it. However, failure is NOT an option.

These are just a few of the things people are wondering about, but I repeat… please use the site to pose questions and to make comments. We need everyone to be able to contribute to the ongoing dialogue.

So, don’t be shy… Make yourself heard!

Copyright © 2007 OneWorldOneVoiceProject.org

Some people are wondering why we didn’t choose a more “politically neutral” language, such as Loglan or Lojban.

To answer that question, we must define what “politically neutral” means.

Politically neutral supposed to mean that something is free of political bias. However, there is no real way of measuring such criteria, because it falls into the realm of subjective factors. After all, a Chinese or Japanese person may not object to a Euro-centric auxlang, because personally they don’t have anything against the concept. Continue reading ‘On the question of Loglan and Lojban…’ »

Abstract

Generally speaking, English is the universal language on the Internet, but it has no official status, and it will never have. The reasons for the position of English are the imperialism and economical and political importance of English-speaking countries. Linguistically, English is extremely unsuitable for international communication, and the actual wide use of English tends to polarize the world into Internet users and Internet illiterates.

The position of English can only be altered by major world-scale political and economical changes, such as increasing importance of the European Union or a coalition between Japan and China. Such powers might wish and be able to promote a language other than English, possibly a constructed language, for international communication.

Alternatively, or in addition to this, the technology of machine translation may allow people to use their own language in international communication. Continue reading ‘English - the Universal Language on the Internet?’ »

So, what’s the next step that we need to take?

Of course there are a lot of them and the more people join us, the better. But, we have identified four phases that will lay the foundation for future work.

1. We have to discuss and finalize the changes we need to make to Ido, to satisfy more of the objective criteria, and to make it acceptable to more people. However, there will NOT be endless tinkering. Only specific and necessary changes will be made.
2. Once the adjustments are made, we have to start creating lots of material so we can start promoting the language.
3. We have to promote the language as widely as possible, using all kinds of media.
4. To prevent the language from being fragmented into regional dialects around the world, an organization, such as the “Union Mundial pro Interlingua”, needs to store in its database all proposed new words that have been approved, as well as the existing vocabulary. This process will be done objectively, and with regards to the rules of the language, taking into consideration the popularity of the proposed words around the world. The organization will also be called on if an unusual glitch surfaces in the language that was not foreseen.

These four steps are designed to outline the process with which we plan to introduce THE International Auxiliary Language to the world. Otherwise, the language will be left to its own devices, and will be allowed to evolve on its own, the way natural languages evolve.

The more people join us, in different capacities, the sooner we will be able to do what’s required.

Copyright © 2007 OneWorldOneVoiceProject.org