A shared language: understanding across borders

Now if there were a Universal Language, how excellent it would be. We could talk with each other. How excellent it would be. Compare this with all the world, the greatest means for love is a Universal Language. It creates love amongst mankind.

Language is the great barrier between nations. When thoughts are interchanged destinies become one. All languages are difficult of acquirement for the real language is deeper than the outer words."

Unless the unity of languages is realized, the Most Great Peace and the oneness of the human world cannot be effectively organized and established because the function of language is to portray the mysteries and secrets of human hearts.

… Therefore, the very first service to the world of man is to establish this auxiliary international means of communication. It will become the cause of the tranquillity of the human commonwealth. Through it sciences and arts will be spread among the nations, and it will prove to be the means of the progress and development of all races.

It is observed that due to the diversity of languages among the peoples of the earth, most nations are deprived of association, fellowship, and the acquisition of knowledge and wisdom from one another. Therefore, through pure bounty and grace, all are commanded to choose a language - whether newly created or selected from existing tongues of the earth - and all shall speak it. In this way, the whole earth shall be seen as one city, for all will understand each other's speech and comprehend one another's intent. This is the cause of the world's advancement and elevation. Should a person journey from his homeland and enter any city, it would be as though he had entered his own dwelling.

Bahá’u’lláh has proclaimed the adoption of a universal language. A language shall be agreed upon by which unity will be established in the world. Each person will require training in two languages: his native tongue and the universal auxiliary form of speech.

One will be elected from among the existing languages or a new language has to be developed. This will be spoken everywhere and will become the universal language. We need diversity as well, which is why all the different languages also have to be preserved. But a universal language will improve the mutual relations.

The tenth principle is the establishment of a universal language so that we will not have to acquire so many languages in the future. In the schools they will study two, the mother tongue and the international auxiliary language. The use of an international auxiliary language will become a great means of dispelling the differences between nations.

And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is the origination of one language that may be spread universally among the people. This teaching was revealed from the pen of Baha'u'llah in order that this universal language may eliminate misunderstandings from among mankind.

Diversity of languages has been a fruitful cause of discord. The function of language is to convey the thought and purpose of one to another. Therefore, it matters not what language man speaks or employs. Sixty years ago Baha'u'llah advocated one language as the greatest means of unity and the basis of international conference.

Among the confirmations of this century is the universal language, which we see is spreading abroad. There is no doubt that a universal language will be the cause of the removal of misunderstandings, for every individual will become informed of the thoughts of all mankind; and this is among the means of the unity of the world of humanity.

Eleventh, one language must be selected as an international medium of speech and communication. Through this means misunderstandings will be lessened, fellowship established and unity assured.

Baha'u'llah has announced the necessity for a universal language which shall serve as a means of international communication and thus remove misunderstandings and difficulties.

Thus, for world peace and world unity, a common bond of mental understanding, e.g. a world-unifying language, is urgently needed, thus the learned and the laity of all nations are agreed.

The unifying force among humans may be unity of interests. This is temporary and passes away. Or the unifying force may be language; you see different peoples speaking the same language. Unity of language is a cause of fellowship.

The differences in languages cause disunion between nations. There must be one universal language.

Then a stream of migration at various periods flowed toward Europe, each one inhabiting a portion of the land. Lack of intercourse and communication created differences of language and customs. Little by little they were more and more esstranged from each other.

Consider the differences that emerged after Adam: in the beginning, these known languages mentioned were not present on earth, nor were these established rules. They spoke in a language other than these mentioned tongues. The diversity of languages occurred in the land known as Babel, after which that land was called Babel, meaning "where the tongue was confused," that is, where it became different.

At the city gate four travelers sat, a Persian, a Turk, an Arab and a Greek. They were hungry and wanted their evening meal. So one was selected to buy for them all. But among them they could not agree as to what should be bought. The Persian said angoor, the Turk uzum, the Arab wanted aneb and the Greek clamored for staphylion green and black.

O members of parliaments throughout the world! Select ye a single language for the use of all on earth, and adopt ye likewise a common script. God, verily, maketh plain for you that which shall profit you and enable you to be independent of others. He, of a truth, is the Most Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. This will be the cause of unity, could ye but comprehend it, and the greatest instrument for promoting harmony and civilization, would that ye might understand!

Likewise He saith: Among the things which are conducive to unity and concord and will cause the whole earth to be regarded as one country is that the divers languages be reduced to one language and in like manner the scripts used in the world be confined to a single script. It is incumbent upon all nations to appoint some men of understanding and erudition to convene a gathering and through joint consultation choose one language from among the varied existing languages, or create a new one, to be taught to the children in all the schools of the world.

The third Glad-Tidings concerneth the study of divers languages. This decree hath formerly streamed forth from the Pen of the Most High: It behooveth the sovereigns of the world -- may God assist them -- or the ministers of the earth to take counsel together and to adopt one of the existing languages or a new one to be taught to children in schools throughout the world, and likewise one script.

From the beginning of time the light of unity hath shed its divine radiance upon the world, and the greatest means for the promotion of that unity is for the peoples of the world to understand one another's writing and speech. In former Epistles We have enjoined upon the Trustees of the House of Justice either to choose one language from among those now existing or to adopt a new one, and in like manner to select a common script, both of which should be taught in all the schools of the world. Thus will the earth be regarded as one country and one home.

Ninth, a universal language shall be adopted and be taught by all the schools and institutions of the world. A committee appointed by national bodies of learning shall select a suitable language to be used as a medium of international communication. All must acquire it.

A universal language shall be adopted which shall be taught by all the schools and academies of the world. A committee appointed by national bodies shall select a suitable language to be used as a means of international communication, and that language shall be taught in all the schools of the world in order that everyone shall need but two languages, his national tongue and the universal language.

"In order to facilitate complete understanding between all people, a universal auxiliary language will be adopted and in the schools of the future two languages will be taught -- the mother tongue and this international auxiliary tongue which will be either one of the existing language or a new language made up of words from all the languages -- the matter is to be determined by a confederation met for the purpose which shall represent all tribes and nations.

Second: Languages must be reduced to one common language to be taught in all the schools of the world.

We have formerly ordained that people should converse in two languages, yet efforts must be made to reduce them to one, likewise the scripts of the world, that men's lives may not be dissipated and wasted in learning divers languages. Thus the whole earth would come to be regarded as one city and one land.

Some of the peoples of the world have exerted the utmost effort to converse in their native tongues alone, considering this to be conducive to their exaltation and advancement, even as the people of Persia, who are adorned with the ornaments of talent and capacity, have sought to speak their ancient language and to purge it of all that is foreign. However, that which is pleasing in the sight of this Wronged One is that they should regard the whole earth as one country and strive, as hath been previously stated, to promote a single language or two so that the light of unity may envelop the whole earth and its inhabitants may receive their portion from the Sun of Knowledge and the Ocean of Wisdom.

That which is the cause of the unity of the world and its peoples hath flowed forth from the Pen of the Most High in divers Tablets. God grant that all men may be adorned with the ornament of fairness and enabled to observe justice that they may partake of the fruits of what hath been mentioned and bear witness unto that which hath been ordained by the one true God, exalted be His Glory. He is the One Who guideth, the All-Knowing, the All-Seeing.

The seventh candle is unity of language, i.e., the choice of a universal tongue in which all peoples will be instructed and converse.

Ninth, freedom of rights. Tenth, non-interference in political affairs. Eleventh, the establishment of a universal language. Twelfth, the Most Great Justice.

In these days that region has great capacity; should any person of understanding become acquainted with the divine teachings, he would be attracted and yield momentous results, for the new teachings are the spirit of this age and the light of this century.

… Among them is the unity of language.

First is the independent investigation of truth, second is the oneness of humanity, third is that religion must be the cause of love and fellowship - if it is not the cause of love and fellowship it has no purpose, fourth is that religion must accord with science, fifth that religious prejudice, sectarian prejudice, racial prejudice and national prejudice destroy the foundation of humanity - all people are God's sheep and of one race and the earth is one homeland, sixth that one must be free of all imitations and hold fast to the foundation of divine religions, seventh is unity of language - one language must be chosen or newly invented that will be universal so that misunderstandings between religions and races and nations will disappear, and likewise the equality of men and women, and likewise the spread of sciences and knowledge, and likewise the union of women and men among all religions and nations, and likewise justice and equity, and likewise political unity and so forth.

My objects are the establishment of the Cause of international arbitration, the promotion of the oneness of the world of humanity, the conformity of religion with science and reason, the elucidation of the essential unity of the divine religions, the explanation of the continuity of the prophetic revelation, the instruction of mankind in the knowledge of human brotherhood, the inculcation of the primordial oneness of all phenomena, the upraising of the standard of the solidarity of the human race, the creation of a nucleus for bringing about the universal race, the spread of the precepts of spiritual civilization, the teachings of the synthesis of the heavenly philosophy, the readjustment of the economic relations between the capitalists and laborers, so that each individual member of the world of humanity may enjoy the utmost welfare and prosperity, the organization of the Arbitral Court of justice - in order that all the nations of the world may settle before that Court their international disputes and thus remove all the traces of enmity and hatred and the upholding of the principle of one auxiliary, universal language.

Among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is the unity of language, that a universal language should be established, and among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is the economic question.

Seventh, the use of an international language as an auxiliary means of international communication; thus, through the widespread education and the international use of one language, the misunderstandings existing amongst various nations shall be removed, preparing the way for affiliation and intercourse.

But the greatest achievement of the age in conferring profit and pleasure on mankind is the creation of an auxiliary language for all. Oneness of language creates oneness of heart. Oneness of language engenders peace and harmony. It sweeps away all misunderstandings among peoples. It establishes harmony among the children of men. It gives to the human intellect a broader conception, a more commanding point of view.

Praise be to God, that Dr. Zamenhof has constructed the Esperanto language. It has all the potential qualities of universal adoption. All of us must be grateful and thankful to him for his noble effort for in this matter he has served his fellowmen well. He has constructed a language which will bestow divine benefits on all peoples.

One of the great steps towards universal peace would be the establishment of a universal language. Baha'u'llah commands that the servants of humanity should meet together, and either choose a language which now exists, or form a new one.

… If everybody could speak one language, how much more easy would it be to serve humanity!

Therefore appreciate 'Esperanto', for it is the beginning of the carrying out of one of the most important of the Laws of Baha'u'llah, and it must continue to be improved and perfected.

All through America I have encouraged the Bahais to study Esperanto and to the extent of my ability I will strive in its spread and promotion.

Praise be to God, it was evidence of the luminosity and spirituality of those handmaidens of the All-Merciful, that with perfect steadfastness and constancy you have undertaken to learn the new language and are occupied with thoughts and mention of the divine Kingdom.

Concerning the Esperanto language: The friends have already written numerous letters that have been published throughout the world. It is my earnest hope that when the Esperantists realise to what extent this language hath been favourably recommended, they may be attracted to the Cause, may endeavour to translate some of the important Tablets of Baha'u'llah into Esperanto and publish them, may set their faces toward the Abha Kingdom and beseech divine aid and assistance for this mighty enterprise.

The matter of the Esperantists is more important than the League assembly. Jinab-i-Mr. Yazdani can sow a seed among them.

H. S "First to spread the knowledge of Esperanto because I believe it will help unify mankind.

The language of Esperanto is not yet perfected so that it may become useful in travel. In the course of time it will be spread in various countries and will become a universal language.

This language will be spread and universalized to a certain degree, but later on a language more complete than this, or the same language will undergo some changes and alterations and will be adopted and become universal.

When it reaches perfection, the children of the friends will study it in all schools. But at present, English and French are more necessary.

They asked about the Arabic language, whether it could become universal. He said no.

They asked about Esperanto. He said that a few weeks ago I wrote a letter from New York to one of the leaders of Esperanto saying that if an assembly of representatives of races and kings was formed and this language was put under discussion and promotion, then it could become universal.

"The love and effort put into Esperanto will not be lost," he answered, "but no one person can construct a Universal Language. It must be made by a Council representing all countries, and must contain words from different languages. It will be governed by the simplest rules, and there will be no exceptions; neither will there be gender, nor extra and silent letters. Everything indicated will have but one name. … In the schools of each nation the mother tongue will be taught, as well as the revised Universal Language."

Forty years ago it was revealed in the Kitab-el-Akdas (Book of Laws) by the Blessed Perfection, that one language will be chosen as the means of universal communication. That language is now in the course of construction. If this new language which is being promulgated, shall be universally recognized, it will produce great results."

But regarding the universal language: Ere long significant and scientific discussions concerning this matter will arise among the people of discernment and insight and it will produce the desired result.

3. The Religion of Unity must be nurtured with the aid of a unifying language and a unifying script; attention should also be paid to the learning of the most important languages of the world in addition to one's mother tongue.

Thou must exert thy utmost effort there and promote the divine teachings, among which is the unity of language.

The greatest means of such a union is the universal language. It is most certain and indubitable that the universal language will completely wipe away all the differences from amongst mankind. This is clear and does not need any proof.

This is the day of universal peace, of universal brotherhood, of a universal language and of the union of all religions.

We hope that the radiance of these teachings will illuminate all horizons and the spirituality of these counsels will cause East and West to embrace like two passionate lovers, so that this pavilion of the unity of humanity may cast its shade at the center of the world and make the five continents as one continent, unite different nations into a single nation, make opposing religions one religion, and distant homelands one homeland, and diverse tongues one language.

He was speaking in a new language that all of us could understand. It was not Arabic or Persian or Turkish but a new language. My heart was filled with joy because I thought this must be the universal language spoken of by himself 50 years ago.

M.F. Oh! How wonderful! I would like to go there! It must be an ideal country!

A.B. It is a very extraordinary country. Its inhabitants are all angels and they speak one universal language

M.F. Then everybody understands each other? It is not like Hungary where one must speak many languages? How can I reach there?

A.B. Come! Come! I will be thy guide. I will take thee through its broad avenues shaded by verdant, never-fading trees. I will unfold before thy vision, the most heavenly panorama, the like of which thou hast never seen. I will, little by little teach thee the secrets of the ever-changing hues of its flowers, the murmuring of its breezes and the divine notes of its music. I will take thee through its imperial palaces and will show to thee the most wonderful scenes.