N.B.—There are no exceptions or irregularities in Esperanto.
The VOCABULARY has been simplified by about 30 affixes, which are used to modify the meanings of root words. The commonest are the following PREFIXES:—
- BO indicates relationship by marriage. Bofrato, Brother-in-law.
- DIS indicates separation, as in English. Disŝiri, to tear to pieces.
- EK indicates the commencement of an action. Eklerni, to begin to learn.
- MAL is always used to indicate OPPOSITES. Varma, warm. Malvarma, cool. Amiko, friend. Malamiko, enemy.
- RE denotes the repetition of an action. Relerni, to relearn. Rediri, to say again.
The principal SUFFIXES are the following:—
- AĴ signifies an object made from—thus, Fruktaĵo, something made from fruit.
- AR signifies a collection of. Arbo, a tree. Arbaro, a forest.
- EBL signifies possibility. Videble, visibly. Lernebla, learnable.
- EC signifies an abstract quality. Boneco, goodness. Beleco, beauty.
- EG signifies increase. It is the augmentative suffix. Granda, large. Grandega, immense.
- EJ signifies the place where an action takes place. Lernejo, school. Preĝejo, church.
- ET is the diminutive suffix. Infaneto, a little child. Varmeta, lukewarm.
- IG denotes the causing of an action. Morti, to die. Mortigi, to kill.
- IĜ denotes turning or becoming. Paliĝi, to turn pale. Fortiĝi, to become strong.
- IL denotes the instrument by which an action is performed. Kudri, to sew. Kudrilo, a needle.
- IN denotes the feminine. Patro, father. Patrino, mother. Onklo, uncle. Onklino, aunt.
- IST denotes the occupation, or means of livelihood. Botisto, bootmaker. Servisto, manservant.
- UL denotes the possession of a Quality or Attribute. Blindulo, a blind man. Danculo, a dancing man.
By means of these affixes, the Vocabulary is enormously simplified.
All should have "The Student’s Complete Text Book," 1s. 8d., post free, and "Thirty-five Exercises," 1s. 3d., in order to thoroughly learn the system; but the above is serviceable as a rough basis.
For the convenience of Esperantists, all works dealing with the language can now be obtained by writing to the Librarian, P. Howard, Esq., The Bungalow, Cranes Park, Surbiton, Surrey.
The books most read are:—