Universal language. Language is the main means of communication between peoples. But so many different languages have developed that language has often been a barrier rather than an aid to understanding among peoples. For many years, people have dreamed of setting up an international, universal language which all people could speak and understand. The arguments in favor of a universal language are simple and obvious. If all peoples spoke the same tongue, cultural and economic ties might be much closer, and good will might increase between countries. But many people consider the promoters of universal languages to be impractical idealists, and discourage the idea.
Rene Descartes, a French philosopher, is believed to have originated the idea of a universal language in the 1600’s. John Comenius, a Bohemian bishop and educator of the same period, also suggested the idea of a universal language. More than 200 other languages designed for universal use have been invented since that time.
Volapuk << VOH luh pihk >> was the earliest of these languages to gain much success. The name of the language comes from two of its words meaning world and speak. Johann Martin Schleyer, a German priest, invented the suggested language in 1879. Later, Idiom Neutral, a simplified form of Volapuk, was suggested. Other proposed languages include Esperanto; a revised form of Esperanto called Ido; Interglossa; Interlingua; Novial; and Spelin. However, only Esperanto is used widely. English is close to being a universal language. During the last several hundred years, it has become a second language in many countries because of economic, political, and social developments.
