i have no idea about esperanto so i cannot place preference either to it or against it.

however Fille brought up a great point (she's quite an incredible researcher <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> ) on the ease of use as well as simplicity in the universal language, should there be one.

[color:"pink"] Language is the EXPRESSION of cultural identity - not cultural identity in itself [/color] Glance

that's right. when u're stripped of everything physical that can tie u to who u are, your spoken language will be THE identity. language in itself isn't much other than a mode of communication. but couple that to mannerism, terms, idioms, sayings, inflections, subtleties etc language is one of the components that make a culture. well i am no linguistic expert so i can be very very wrong.

[color:"pink"] And why are the arguments always on the losses, and not on the benefits? [/color] Glance

yet again u are right in that this is beside the main point but it's a very interesting one. my answer to this is defensiveness or built-in defense mechanism that's present in everyone of us. also resistance to change. we may not like what we have now but we dislike even more on changes that may bring more of what we may not like. going out of the comfort zone is too much of a hassle, i guess. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" />

[color:"pink"] And - this is tough on Janggut, I know , but .. [/color] Glance

& u have to ask why people are negative! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> it's because i can't even win a simple argument! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ROFL.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" /> *janggut snaps* <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/XmasEek.gif" alt="" />

[Linked Image from i3.photobucket.com]
......a gift from LaFille......