The Esperanto-Spesmilo Nexus: Bridging Frontiers through Currency and Language Harmony

Introduction

In the early 20th century, the Esperantist and mathematician René de Saussure proposed a groundbreaking idea—an international auxiliary currency named the "spesmilo." This proposal was intricately linked to reflections on the nature of Esperanto as an international auxiliary language. This article explores the motivations behind the creation of the spesmilo, the parallels drawn between universal currency and language, and the subsequent reflections on the stability of Esperanto, posited by the linguist Ferdinand de Saussure, who envisioned it evolving and changing akin to natural languages once it came into widespread use.

The Spesmilo Proposal: 

René de Saussure's proposition of the spesmilo stemmed from his observation of prices in Esperanto journals marked in various national currencies. This prompted the idea of a unified international monetary unit based on the metric system. Crucially, the intention was not to replace national currencies but to facilitate cross-border transactions within the Esperanto-speaking community:

“The idea of a fictive international currency came to me a few years ago (in 1906), while reading Esperanto journals; I noted that on the cover of these journals, written in Esperanto and consequently addressed to men of all countries, the price of the subscription was marked in francs, in shillings, in marks, in dollars and in rubles. I thought then that one could propose to the Esperantists the adoption of a fictive monetary unit, defined by means of the metric system; one could then indicate all the prices in the Esperantist journals by means of a single unit, of which everyone would know the exchange with the unit used in his own country. In this way the use of an international auxiliary currency would spread in tandem with the international auxiliary language” (de Saussure, R. 1914, as cited in Joseph, 2014).

This excerpt vividly captures the essence of "Valeur," a concept close to the heart of his brother Ferdinand.

 Currency and Language: Beyond Borders

A compelling parallel emerges between a universal currency and a universal language—they both serve as means of exchange. The international auxiliary currency and language, represented by the spesmilo and Esperanto, function as auxiliary tools without replacing the diverse linguistic and monetary landscapes of the world. While a universal language might evolve into dialects, the pragmatic approach of an international auxiliary language, such as Esperanto, remains a viable endeavor, reflecting the utility of the spesmilo.

Esperantists presented Esperanto as a reasonable enterprise coexisting alongside national languages, avoiding interference with established orders within nations. Unlike a universal language, Esperanto was deliberately crafted to remain immutable and aloof, acting as a tool solely for communication between countries, without evolving with the cultures it engages with.

“A universal currency can be compared to a universal language, since a language serves for the exchange of ideas as a currency does for the exchange of goods. A universal language is utopian because it would not take long for it to disintegrate into dialects, as the universal currency would do into different exchange currencies. On the other hand, an international auxiliary language such as Esperanto, which would exist alongside national languages, is a completely reasonable enterprise, since it does not affect the order of things established in each country, and the integrity of such a language would be guaranteed by the very fact that it would serve only for relations with other countries and not in everyday life” (de Saussure, R. 1914, as cited in Joseph, 2014).

 Saussure's Skepticism and Language Evolution

Ferdinand de Saussure, however, expressed skepticism about Esperanto's stability, foreseeing changes as an inevitable part of its evolution. He argued that if Esperanto functioned as a language in use by a community, it would undergo transformations despite the logical origins protecting it, in contrast to the Esperantists' belief:

“Anyone who invents an artificial language retains control of it only as long as it is not in use. But as soon as it fulfils its purpose and becomes the property of the community, it is no longer under control. Esperanto is a case in point. If it succeeds as a language, can it possibly escape the same fate? Once launched, the language will in all probability begin to lead a semiological life of its own. Its transmission will follow laws which have nothing in common with those of deliberate creation, and it will then be impossible to turn the clock back. Anyone who thinks he can construct a language not subject to change, which posterity must accept as it is, would be like a hen hatching a duck’s egg. The language he created would be subject to the same forces of change as any other language, regardless of its creator’s wishes”. [CGL] [111]

Conclusion: Assessing Esperanto's Fate

Looking back with the vantage of time, Esperanto appears not only to have endured but to have flourished. It boasts a thriving global community, hosts organized events, produces literature, and offers a wealth of online resources. While it may not have attained universal status, Esperanto stands as a successful international auxiliary language. Though pinpointing an exact statistic is challenging, considering historical trends and anecdotal evidence, a reasonable assumption can be made that the number of Esperanto speakers has increased over the years, especially given the growth of global communication and the internet.

Saussure's skepticism about Esperanto's stability was not entirely unfounded. Esperanto has indeed undergone changes, albeit minor, reflecting its dynamic nature as a living language. While the logical origins provided stability, they did not render Esperanto immune to linguistic evolution influenced by its diverse and creative global user community. The story of the spesmilo and Esperanto embodies the human aspiration to transcend borders and foster international understanding.

Related posts from this blog:

The Esperanto Enigma: Tracing Linguistic Connections with the Saussure Family

https://derridaforlinguists.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-esperanto-enigma-tracing-linguistic.html

Parisian Pages: A Pedestrian Comparison

https://derridaforlinguists.blogspot.com/2023/10/parisian-pages-pedestrian-comparison.html

Reference List:

Saussure, Ferdinand de. 1916. Cours de linguistique générale. Edited by Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, with Albert Riedlinger. Libraire Payot.

Saussure, Ferdinand de. "Course in General Linguistics." Translated and annotated by Roy Harris. With a new introduction by Roy Harris. Bloomsbury, 2013.

Joseph, J. E. (2014). Saussure’s Value(s). Recherches sémiotiques / Semiotic Inquiry, 34(1-2-3), 191–208. https://doi.org/10.7202/1037153ar

John E. Joseph. SAUSSURE. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.

de SAUSSURE, R. (1914) “La monnaie internationale”. In Revue suisse de numismatique (19) : 306-314.