Esperanto in Scientific Literature

Abstract

UNTIL quite recently the use of Esperanto for scientific purposes was usually regarded as a matter of jest. This is still the attitude of many who, while they readily appreciate how immensely valuable an easy but complete, precise, and euphonious international language would be, do not realise that Esperanto not only possesses these claims in theory, but has also been tried out in practice with most encouraging results. Several entire papers have been published in Esperanto from the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research at Tokyo, and other Japanese (and also European) institutions issue bulletins in this language. Esperanto may certainly be considered a satisfactory medium for composition on physical and chemical themes, as during the last three decades various commissions, societies, and individuals have carried out translations and compiled lists of technical terms which have been officially accepted. Consequently, a complete system of chemical nomenclature and a very complete physical and chemical vocabulary have now been available for several years.