The next to give the report is the head of One Language Division. The Linguist hopes her moment will not take a long time compared to the previous two. The meeting is now making her bored.
“My brothers and sisters, English continues to be the lingua franca of the world today,” says The Linguist. “The Anglosphere has been stable in the past years and with that…our mission to have a single language for mankind will be in fruition in a few years to come. As I mentioned in the past meetings, we have two major English language tests in the world today…the TOEFL and the IELTS.
“We are confident about the status of our One Language mission in North America. However, we might need more time to spread the language in the south where Spanish and Portuguese still reign. Rest assured, we have partnered with at least 150 schools slash universities in those countries that…hopefully…will try their best to teach English to as many people as they can. Australia and most countries in Oceania are out of the question. In Europe…well, English is mainly spoken by those people who have learned it as a second language. Basically, ex-patriates from UK or from some other English-speaking nations are speaking the language while living in Europe.”
“Can I interrupt, Sister Linguist?” asks The Colourless. To The Linguist’s dismay because she's not expecting any interruption.
“Of course, Colourless.”
“You mentioned a while ago about the TOEFL and the IELTS. I was curious about these English language tests when I’ve read an article about foreign nurses wanting to work in Canada, Australia, and UK. I believe that TOEFL is required for most university applications---”
“Yes…more than 9,000 colleges, universities, and agencies in more than 130 countries.”
“A very inspiring data for our mission, thank you. Whereas IELTS…”
“The same goes for IELTS. It is also recognized by 9,000 organisations worldwide. I think I’ve read that article as well…might be a different publication but same concerns. Progressive countries such USA, Canada, Australia, and UK are now requiring IELTS or TOEFL strictly in order for foreigners to work for them. For instance, like you said with the nurses, yes…they definitely need to pass by having a score of 7 in four areas of either of the tests. Which…as mentioned in the article that I read…most nurses are struggling to pass. Ironic because in as much as these countries I mentioned demand nurses from abroad, they just can’t hire them easily because applicants need to prove they’re fluent with English.”
It seems that The Colourless is now bursting with excitement. “My point exactly! Now, my dear Linguist, I have interrupted you with my utmost interest and maybe everyone can agree with me. This monopoly of English language is getting serious and may soon create conflict. In fact…conflicts are already on the rise.
“I have nothing against One Language Division and I know that one spoken language for mankind is essential to attaining our goal but if this can lead to discrimination amongst races because they need to speak a language which is not theirs in the first place…you know what I mean?”
The Linguist is about to reply but His Supremacy is faster to speak first. “Allow me to speak on your behalf, Sister Linguist. Brother, we understand your concern. At this point in time, however, we can only rely on English as the subject for our mission. But the language, this language, as we have learned from the past, it may fail us or who knows. Greek had failed us. Latin had failed us. Language is indeed rooted in each of mankind’s divided races. We can rely with English for now but to have a single language for the world, racial discrimination, racial disputes…they definitely need to end first.”
Why don’t you let me finish my report? thinks The Linguist. And then she realises that The Colourless was absent during an event two years ago when she gave an update regarding the international auxiliary language. “Shall I continue?”
The Colourless gives a nod of approval; hoping the next words by The Linguist will provide some answers.
“As far as I can remember, my brother Colourless, you were absent in the Annual Project B Convention last 2012 in Texas. Ergo, you were not illuminated by the developments of the universal second language. In 2008, in Rotter-”
The Colourless feels a bit humiliated this time. “Wait Sister…do you actually mean Esperanto? Of course I know about it.”
“Esperanto indeed, Brother.” The Linguist composes herself. Hopefully, The Colourless will no longer interrupt her. “Esperanto, which was created by Ludwik Lazarus Zamenhof – the man who used to be the Head of my department…has now an estimate of 2 million users. That’s an increase with the statistics I mentioned two years ago.”
“I see it now.”
“You see brother…brothers and sisters…Doktoro Esperanto hoped that this language he created will one day become the main language of the world…a language that is neutral and transcends nationality. Esperanto is the language of peace. Two million users is just a minimal fraction for now…but we need to hope…just as our brother Zamenhof had hoped…Esperanto users will grow into multitudes.”
“What about the criticisms that we got with Esperanto?” The King asks. “Have we heard something new?”
“Still the same Brother King,” The Linguist replies, eyes still glittering with hope. “They still say that Esperanto is sexist…and it’s more European than being a language for the whole world. But the thing is…what else have we got? Indeed, we cannot please everyone. But that is why The Legacy moves in the shadows. For now, we support the English language. But remember that it’s just our front. And we can have another front, and then another and so on. We must feed Esperanto at all cost…let it grow bigger and bigger until it is ready tp harvest for Project B. Forget the billions that despise us. Nothing can stop us in attaining our goal.”
“I second the motion,” agrees The Androgynous.
“My brothers and sisters,” continues The Linguist. “I am happy to tell you that Duolingo has started the development of Esperanto. As we all know, Duolingo is a free language training program that anyone can experience online. I actually have an app in my iPhone right now. Duolingo has finally recognised Zamenhof’s language as something that can be learnt.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Bravo!”
“I can now foresee the number of people speaking in Esperanto in two years time.
“Brothers and sisters, I have spoken.” The Linguist finally sits down letting out a sigh of relief. The Colourless looks at her with a hint of satisfaction.
“Thank you Sister Linguist,” His Supremacy begins his official response. “You see brothers and sisters, everything is interconnected. We cannot neglect the importance of having a single main language for all humanity. It affects the chain…our chain…this mission. If we try to dig in deeper…One Language Division can ease the burden of Unified Races Division. But it will definitely take time. Esperanto…the word itself means ‘hope’. We shall continue to hope that in a decade or so…Esperanto users will reach a billion. I have gathered enough funds for your department Sister Linguist. The 60% shall go to the Anglosphere Movement, 40% for Esperanto. For it is true that we can only rely with English for now. But Plan B is definitely needed.
“And always remember my brothers and sisters; it is because mankind was cursed to having different languages that mankind is divided. Language is powerful. I don’t believe in that god who cursed us with too many languages…the one they mentioned in those Holy Scriptures. I only believe in The Truth…the one that we are seeking...the possible culprit behind our enigmatic existence. When all the pillars of The Legacy have finally accomplished the goals we established, then together we shall build The Tower again…The Tower that will take us to the skies…not to kill any damn god…but to finally know what’s up there…to capture The Truth.”
“Long live The Legacy!” says The Builder in affirmation and a chorus of ‘Long live!’ follows.
“All right then. It’s time for The King to speak.”
YOU ARE READING
Project B
General Fiction“The Truth has not been found yet because mankind is looking at the wrong direction. Space is a maze. Just as this world…the land…the waters…the atmosphere…they’re all part of a great maze that leads to The Truth. So the question now is…where exactl...
