Esperanto and Languages of Internationalism in Revolutionary Russia

In 1887, Ludwik Zamenhof created Esperanto, a new international language, with the goal of uniting all people and changing the world. Brigid O'Keefe's book explores how Esperanto and global language politics shaped revolutionary and early Soviet Russia, based on extensive archival materials. It is of great importance to historians of modern Russia and scholars of internationalism, transnational networks, and sociolinguistics.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 266 pages
Publication date: 22 September 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Winner of the 2022 Ab Imperio Award, Ludwik Zamenhof launched a new international language called Esperanto from late imperial Russia in 1887. Ordinary men and women in Russia and all over the world soon transformed Esperanto into a global movement. Esperanto and Languages of Internationalism in Revolutionary Russia explores the history and legacy of this effort, from its roots in the social turmoil of the pre-revolutionary Pale of Settlement to its links to socialist internationalism and Comintern bids for world revolution. It also examines the demise of the Soviet Esperanto movement in the increasingly xenophobic Stalinist 1930s. Brigid O'Keefe's book provides the first in-depth exploration of Esperanto at grassroots level and sheds new light on a hitherto overlooked area of Russian history. It will be of immense value to historians of modern Russia and scholars of internationalism, transnational networks, and sociolinguistics.

Esperanto and Languages of Internationalism in Revolutionary Russia

Esperanto, a language created by Ludwik Zamenhof in 1887 with the aim of uniting all humankind and revolutionizing the world, gained significant traction in Russia and beyond. The language's simplicity and internationalism appealed to ordinary people, leading to its widespread adoption as a global movement. Esperanto and Languages of Internationalism in Revolutionary Russia delves into the history and legacy of Esperanto in Russia, tracing its roots from the social turmoil. turmoil of the pre-revolutionary Pale of Settlement to its connections to socialist internationalism and the Comintern's efforts for world revolution. The book also explores the demise of the Soviet Esperanto movement in the increasingly xenophobic Stalinist 1930s, shedding light on a hitherto overlooked area of Russian history. Brigid O'Keefe's book, based on extensive archival materials, provides a comprehensive exploration of Esperanto at grassroots level, offering new insights into a previously overlooked aspect of Russian history. This book will be of immense value to historians of modern Russia, scholars of internationalism, transnational networks, and sociolinguistics.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350245181