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Here is a list of famous Esperanto speakers

  • Alex
  • Sep 11
  • 3 min read

Of course. While no one is universally famous solely for speaking Esperanto, many well-known individuals from various fields have learned and used the language. Here is a list of famous Esperanto speakers, categorized by their primary field of renown.


Historical Figures & Founders


· L. L. Zamenhof (1859-1917): The creator of Esperanto himself. An ophthalmologist and linguist from Białystok (now in Poland), he published the language in 1887 under the pseudonym "Doktoro Esperanto" (Doctor Hopeful).

· William Auld (1924-2006): A Scottish poet who wrote extensively in Esperanto. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1999, 2004, and 2006 for his Esperanto works, a unique recognition for the language.

· Julio Baghy (1891-1967): A Hungarian actor and poet, often called the "Poet of Hope." He was a central figure in the early Esperanto movement and helped develop its modern culture.


Politicians & Activists


· Pope John Paul II (1920-2005): Used Esperanto in his multilingual urbi et orbi blessings from the Vatican and was known to give speeches in the language during his international travels.

· Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910): The famed Russian author was an early supporter of Esperanto. He learned it in a few hours and praised its simplicity and idealism, writing a letter of endorsement that greatly boosted the movement.

· George Soros (b. 1930): The billionaire investor and philanthropist. He is a native Esperanto speaker—his father was a prominent Esperantist—and Esperanto was his first language. He has said he spoke it "fluently" in his youth.


Scientists & Scholars


· Claude Piron (1931-2008): A Swiss psychologist and linguist who worked as a translator for the UN (Chinese, English, Russian, Spanish). He became a passionate advocate for Esperanto, arguing for its linguistic and psychological advantages.

· Reinhard Selten (1930-2016): A German economist who won the 1994 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. He was a dedicated Esperantist who wrote academic papers in the language and saw it as a model for logical communication.

· John C. Wells (1939-2023): A British phonetician and linguist, best known for his seminal work Longman Pronunciation Dictionary. He was a long-time Esperantist and author of the definitive Esperanto Dictionary.


Artists & Writers


· J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973): The author of The Lord of the Rings had a professional interest in constructed languages. While he was critical of Esperanto's aesthetics, he learned it well enough to grade exams in it and was involved with the movement in his youth.

· Humphrey Tonkin (b. 1939): A British-American scholar and former university president (University of Hartford). He is a renowned Esperanto author, poet, and translator who has served as president of the World Esperanto Association (UEA).

· Marjorie Boulton (1924-2017): A British writer and poet who published numerous original works and literary criticism in Esperanto. She wrote the influential biography Zamenhof: Aventuro de Lia Ideo (Zamenhof: Adventure of His Idea).


Modern Personalities & Celebrities


· Daniel Bovet (1907-1992): A Swiss-born Italian pharmacologist who won the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He used Esperanto actively throughout his life.

· François Lo Jacomo (b. 1946): While not a "celebrity" in the traditional sense, he is a highly respected French psychologist and a prominent modern figure within the international Esperanto community.

· The band Persone: An Italian pop-rock band that sings exclusively in Esperanto, gaining an international following within the Esperanto community.


It's important to note that for many on this list, Esperanto was a passionate hobby or ideological commitment separate from their primary fame. Their engagement with the language highlights its reach into diverse and often elite intellectual circles.

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