212 / POLYGLOT: HOW I LEARN LANGUAGES
In the first decades of the 20th century, there was such
an abundance of proposed world languages that an inter-
national panel was called together to choose the most suit-
able one. Its members—with a representative of Hungary
among them—found Esperanto, constructed by the Polish
physician Zamenhof, the best, even if not perfect. It is still
a widespread world language; it is more popular than Ido,
which was developed on the advice of the above board, or
Interlingua, promoted in the West.
Personally, I would happily select Esperanto, symbol-
ized by a green star, as the hope of humankind. As a mor-
phologist, however, I would find it difficult to familiarize
myself with the unusual grammar forms (like adjectives
ending with -a before nouns with an -o ending). As an in-
terpreter, I can only share the sentiment of the hypothetical
physician who, when asked how he would feel if a miracle
drug were invented, replied, “I would be happy because ev-
erybody wants to live. But I wouldn’t mind if it were only
released after my death, because I must live too.”
Of course, it would be naiveté to think that with the
acceptance of a common language, differences between
people would cease. A reticent Englishman and an outgo-
ing American speak practically the same language. It is true
that not all Italians are hot-blooded and not all Germans are
meticulous, but a certain national trait does exist, in whose
development geological, historical, and climatic circum-
stances played a role, and language is one of its projections.
Everyone who travels a lot experiences this. I would like to
relate one such encounter—a kind one.
It happened in Mexico City, where I was interpreting at
a conference. At lunchtime, I decided to do some sightsee-
ing. As I roved the streets, I bumped into a romping crowd
of children. ey immediately joined me and came along
with a vivid twittering. I would have enjoyed their shiny
eyes and hearty laughs had a smudgy little palm not reached
out and started to gesticulate in front of my nose, seeking a