A perusal of the [list of schemes proposed] shows that the last few years have produced quite a crop of artificial languages. Now that the main principles necessary to success are coming to be recognized, the points of difference between the rival schemes are narrowing down, and, as mentioned in the last chapter, there is a family likeness between many of the newer projects. The chief of these are: Idiom Neutral; Pan-Roman or Universal, by Dr. Molenaar; Latino sine flexione, by Prof. Peano; Mundolingue; Nuove-Roman; and Lingua Komun.
These have been grouped together by certain adversaries as "Neo-Roman"; but their partisans seem to prefer the collective term "Neo-Latin." There are more or less vague hopes that out of them may be evolved a final form of international language, for which the names Pan-European and Union-Ling have been suggested. Dr. Molenaar has declared his willingness to keep to his original title, Pan-Roman, for his own language, if the composite one should prefer to be called Universal. Prof. Peano says, in the course of an article (written in his own language, of course), "any fresh solution in the future can only differ from Idiom Neutral, as two medical or mathematical treatises dealing with the same subject."
The only definite scheme for common action put forth up to
now seems to be that proposed by Dr. Molenaar. In January 1907 he sent round a circular written in French, in which he makes the following propositions:
All authors and notable partisans of Neo-Latin universal languages shall meet in a special academy, which will elaborate a compromise-language.
As regards the programme, the three fundamental principles shall be:
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1. Internationality and comprehensibility. 2. Simplicity and regularity. 3. Homogeneity and euphony. |
Of these principles, No. 1 is to take precedence of No. 2, and No. 2 of No. 3.
The order of discussion is to be:
I. Grammar