THE CERTIFICATE OF MERIT.
G. D. Buchanan, No. 8820.
Among the remarks under the heading Correspondence Notes, in the last number of our Gazette, was a short paragraph which stated that those British Esperantists who desired to acquire an indisputable proof of their thorough knowledge of our auxiliary language must apply to the French Society for the Propagation of Esperanto, in order to obtain its well-known "Atesto pri Kapableco." Although we all greatly appreciate the fraternal spirit of our French friends, we nevertheless hope that ere long we shall be able to organize examinations for a British Certificate on similar lines. In reply to the kind suggestion of our Editor, I will briefly treat of this matter, in the hope that the advice of a pioneer may possibly be a help to future candidates.
Of course, the aspirant must first possess a good general knowledge of the elementary principles of the language before he begins the special preparation for the examination. Should he be so fortunate as to understand French thoroughly, let him elect to undergo the test in French; but only an adept should attempt this. If, however, like myself, he should know only his own national language, he will not be able to enjoy the help of such valuable text-books as La Commentaire sur la Grammaire Esperanto and La Texte Synthétique.
Personally I have found that the Esperanta Sintakso, by Dr. Paul Fruictier, is almost essential, and I recommend it strongly. If the student can work with a friend so much the better. I owe much to the suggestions and advice of a well-informed friend, with whom I often correspond.
Having concluded his preparation, the student must write to M. E. Bréon, 6, Rue du Levant, Vincennes, near Paris, stating whether he purposes taking the examination in French or English. In a few days he will receive full details as to the official programme.
Should the candidate choose to go up for the examination in English, it will be necessary for him to translate an Esperanto extract into English, and an English extract into Esperanto. The list of questions will contain a series of grammatical points and an exercise on Esperanto pronunciation. In order to illustrate the latter, I employed the excellent phonetic system which appeared on page 25 of The Esperantist, No. 2.
Having written to our Friend-in-Esperanto, Mr. Mann, of Paris, to learn his opinion with regard to special preparation for the examination, I received the following valuable reply:—
"As for the most effective and successful method of studying for the examination, I should recommend, after mastering the Complete Text-Book, a careful reading of Hamlet and the Fundamenta Krestomatio, with Esperanta Sintakso, by Fruictier. For example, take some anecdote from the Krestomatio. Read it two or three times aloud. Then ask yourself various questions by words such as Who (m), Whose, Where (Whither), How, Why, When? To vary the study repeat the anecdote, using tenses other than those employed in the text itself. For example, the text possibly narrates the matter as having happened at some past time. Well, the student could remodel the anecdote, placing the concatenation of events in the Present AS, or in the Future OS; and afterwards in the compound tenses: Estis ... inta (j), k.t.p. In this manner the study really becomes interesting, and the pupil will very soon master Esperanto’s very simple Grammar.
"One can also adopt another course with good results. With the aid of the English-Esperanto Dictionary one can train one’s self as follows. While performing any actions one can name them in Esperanto. Thus, getting up early (or late) in the morning, enumerate the series of actions. I get up, I stand up, I put on my stockings, etc. I am dressed (I was about to be dressed). I wash, I have breakfast, I work, etc. All these actions can be analyzed and extended, and supply most interesting imaginary conversations and grammatical exercises.
That is the famous Gouin method of studying languages; it gives remarkable results. Thus words and expressions are preserved in the memory, and one does not wearily learn new words parrot-method. And such a system is practicable for conversational classes, as it saves time and concentrates the thoughts of the pupils. Messrs. George Phillips & Sons, Ltd., 32, Fleet Street, London, publish a very interesting and thought-inspiring series of books compiled on the Gouin system.
N.B.—It is almost certain that in a short time the wishes of so many adepts will be fulfilled, and a British examination will be founded. The matter is now under consideration.—(The Editor).
La Onklino diris al sia nevino: "Ne ploru, karulino, aŭ ci malbeliĝos."
"Ĉu vi multe estas plorinta, kiam vi estis juna?" respondis la infanino.
(P de B).