Esperanto Hearings before the Committee on Education

Esperanto: Hearings before the Committee on Education

Esperanto: Hearings before the Committee on Education is a transcript of a congressional hearing held in 1914. The primary figures involved were Representative Richard Bartholdt and Professor A. Christen. The purpose of the hearing was to advocate for the study of Esperanto as an auxiliary language in the United States.

The document records the arguments presented in favor of Esperanto, which included its ease of learning, its potential to facilitate international communication, and its role in promoting peace and understanding among nations. The proponents emphasized Esperanto's neutral nature and its suitability as a common language for people from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

While the hearing ultimately did not result in the widespread adoption of Esperanto in American schools, it remains a significant historical document that reflects the early enthusiasm for the language and its potential to bridge cultural and linguistic divides.