International Language and Science: Considerations on the Introduction of an International Language into ScienceCouturat, Louis
Science
International Language and Science: Considerations on the Introduction of an International Language into Science
Couturat, Louis
Communication in science; Language, Universal
The journal must therefore contain chiefly translations of
interesting articles from all branches of science and from all
languages, and also extracts from the more important literary
productions. The editorial committee of this journal should be
independent of the Language Academy, but nevertheless in close
contact with it, in order, on the one hand, to guarantee the
correctness of the language by means of the Academy, and, on the
other hand, to help the latter by acting as its scientific adviser.
The gradual dissemination of this periodical would have the effect
that a considerable number of scientific men, especially those of
the younger generation, would be induced to read and understand the
international language without any expenditure of trouble injurious
to their professional work.
II. _Writing._--From reading a comparatively easy step leads to
writing. The number of scientific men would soon increase who
could either write directly in the international language, or, at
all events, translate a paper written in a natural language into
the international language. Owing to the gradually increasing
dissemination of the international Review, a first-hand publication
of such papers in the Review would soon be very much in the
interest of the authors, as the acceptance of their papers would
itself be a mark of honour, whilst the rapid distribution amongst
all nations would be likewise advantageous.
III. _Speaking._--The speaking of the international language
at first in small and then gradually amongst wider circles and
finally at international congresses can only be attempted later.
This attempt must not, however, be made before its success is
fully assured, and the language has received a certain amount of
consolidation through its application to writing.
We have already remarked in another place that the introduction of
the international language is not nearly so difficult as it appears
at first sight, almost the only difficulty being the establishment
of the _confidence_ that this goal _can_ be attained.
When one tries to swim for the first time it seems as if one would
never succeed. But when, after a few lessons, one has seen one's
comrades moving safely and merrily in the water, courage comes, and
with it success. We shall therefore show in an appendix by means of
an example that the language of the Delegation is already capable
of expressing difficult passages with all possible fidelity.
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