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Draft:Neom: An absurd city project in Saudi Arabia

2025-06-12T14:02:06Z

Joan Muñoz: Add new information

== Abstract ==
The following article deals with Neom, an absurd city project in Saudia Arabia. Before talking about Neom itself, Saudi Arabia is considered by looking at different aspects including general information, economy and politics. After that, Neom, as a major component of the Vision 2030, is introduced. Here the utopian objectives with this project of Saudi Arabia are talked about. In contrast, the last main paragraph will deal with the critics on this project, which shows the dystopian side of it. In the end, everything will be concluded.

== Overview Of Saudi Arabia ==
=== General Information ===
As the 13th largest country in the world, Saudi Arabia makes up almost 90% of the Arabian Peninsula, consists mostly of desert and borders with eight countries: Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen. This environment has led to different isolated regions economically as well as communicatively.<ref name='Bowen'>Bowen, W. H. (2014). ''The History of Saudi Arabia (The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations)'' (2nd ed.). Greenwood.</ref>

=== Economy ===
As of 2020, the gross domestic product of Saudi Arabia is valued at $700.12 billion.<ref>''GDP (current US$) - Saudi Arabia.'' The World Bank. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=SA (Accessed on: 28.12.2021, 00:21).</ref> Over 90% of the $228 billion in exports derive from the petroleum industry.<ref name='Bowen'/><ref> ''Saudi Arabia (SAU) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners.'' OEC - The Observatory of Economic Complexity. https://oec.world/en/profile/country/sau/ (Accessed on: 28.12.2021, 13:15)</ref> Relying almost solely on one economic branch can lead to various significant risks. First of all, and most importantly, the petroleum industry belongs to those industries that have to be phased out in the next few years due to the climate crisis. It will not be possible anymore to export tremendous amounts of fossil fuels, which in most parts are blown into the atmosphere without considering the effects on the global climate. Secondly, petroleum belongs to finite resources. Even though there have been large discussions about the exact amounts of the global reserves for decades and there have been changes in the forecasts about the end of the petroleum due to discovery of new oil fields and novel methods like hydraulic fracturing, there will be an end to petroleum production. Therefore, Saudi Arabia has to move to different economic branches and boost its innovation to compete in the future global market.

=== Politics ===
From the political perspective, Saudi Arabia as an absolute monarchy is comparable to medieval European states. This is also applicable when considering the religious system. The official legal religion of Saudi Arabia is the Islam, which is not segregated from the government. This leads to a huge influence of the Islam in politics as well as the governing and also effects the jurisdiction. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) lists Saudi Arabia, among 13 other countries, as a country of particular concern and specifies 17 religious prisoners of conscience.<ref>
''Countries.'' United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. https://www.uscirf.gov/countries (Accessed on: 28.12.2021, 14:30)</ref><ref>''Religious Prisoners of Conscience.'' (2021). United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. https://www.uscirf.gov/religious-prisoners-conscience (Accessed on: 28.12.2021, 14:31)</ref> The interpretation of the Sharia, the Islamic religious law, imposes capital punishment for apostasy; openly declaring one’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, as well as intersex (LGBTQI) identity; and peaceful religious or political dissent.<ref>United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. (2021). ''Saudi Arabia Annual Report.'' https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2021-05/Saudi%20Arabia%20Chapter%20AR2021.pdf (Accessed on: 28.12.2021, 15:37)</ref> This ranks Saudi Arabia at 147/156 on the Global Gender Gap Index 2021 and makes it a social dystopia for women and LGBTQIs.<ref>World Economic Forum. (2021). ''Global Gender Gap Report 2021.'' https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2021.pdf (Accessed on: 28.12.2021, 15:43)</ref> 
However, there are further abuses of human rights violations besides discrimination and the prosecution of women and LGBTQIs. This affects especially minority groups and political dissidents, including journalists, but also children, who can face the death penalty as soon as they show physical signs of puberty. As a specific example, Ali Mohammed Baqir al-Nimr, a participant in the Saudi Arabian protest during the Arab Spring, was sentenced to death at the age of just 17.<ref>''Saudi Arabia: Death penalty for juvenile activist: Ali Mohammed Baqir al-Nimr.'' Amnesty International (2014). https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde23/014/2014/en/ (Accessed on: 29.12.2021, 00:21)</ref> 
Qatar, a publically well known example of modern slavery, has led to a broad discussion about using such countries as hosts, for example, for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Regarding the rights of migrants, Saudi Arabia is no better. Amnesty International counts approximately 10 million migrant workers who are governed under a system called ''kafala'', which forces them into a dependent relationship and prevents them in this way to change jobs or leave the country without the permission of their employer.<ref>Amnesty International. (2021). ''Amnesty International Report 2020/21.'' https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/POL1032022021ENGLISH.pdf.</ref> Human Rights Watch documents several cases of physical and psychological abuse. This includes, among other things, beatings, deliberate burnings with hot irons, threats and insults.<ref>Human Rights Watch. (2008). ''“As If I Am Not Human” - Abuses against Asian Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia.'' https://www.hrw.org/reports/2008/saudiarabia0708/1.htm#_Toc201663352 (Accessed on: 29.12.2021, 20:10)</ref>

== Neom: A Major Component Of Vision 2030 ==
=== General Information ===
The word ''Neom'' is a composition of the words ''neo'' (gr. ''new'') and ''m'' (arab. ''future'').<ref>Al Arabiya English. (2020). ''What does Saudi Arabia’s mega project ‘NEOM’ actually stand for?'' https://english.alarabiya.net/business/economy/2017/10/24/What-does-NEOM-mean- (Accessed on: 27.12.2021, 23:38)</ref> It is part of the ''Vision 2030'', first introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which aims to be a strategic framework for a greener and more liberal future and is divided into different projects, one of which is Neom. As stated on the official website of ''Vision 2030'', it is separated into six strategic objectives, which are: enhancing government effectiveness; enabling social responsibility; growing & diversifying the economy; increasing employment; strengthening Islamic & national identity and offering a fulfilling & healthy life.<ref name='Overview'>''Overview.'' Vision 2030. https://na.vision2030.gov.sa/v2030/overview/ (Accessed on: 27.12.2021, 23:55)</ref> These objectives are built on top of three Vision's pillars, which are: ''A Vibrant Society''; ''A Thriving Economy'' and ''An Ambitious Nation''. The first pillar is crucial to achieving strong economic prosperity. The second pillar, aligned with the first pillar, is building an education system for all, which satisfies the needs of the market and creates opportunities for entrepreneurship. The third pillar will apply to efficiency and responsibility at all levels, especially the governing.<ref name='Overview'/>
Briefly speaking, Vision 2030 intends to modernize Saudi Arabia and make the country itself less dependent on fossil fuels like oil. 
Neom will be built in the north-west of the country, right on the coast of the Red Sea. This region is promised to have rich wind and solar resources. The solar resources are accounted for 20 MJ/m2 of energy. This will help to develop renewable energy projects. Neom will be backed by more than $500 billion from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia as well as local and international investors. It will be the home and workplace for more than a million citizens.<ref>''NEOM Fact Sheet.'' Neom. https://www.neom.com/en-us (Accessed on: 29.12.2021, 20:48)</ref> 
Neom will also be interesting in political terms. To ensure innovative progress and attract foreign investors and companies, Neom will be a political special zone with western values and a more liberal governing in comparison to the rest of the country. For example, according to Joseph Bradley, CEO of NEOM’s Tech and Digital Holding Company, legalizing alcohol plays an important role in attracting foreign talent and tourists.<ref>Harris, T., & Sanjar, R. (2021). ''Saudi megacity project flirts with major taboo — alcohol.'' Times of Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/saudi-arabia-megacity-project-flirts-with-major-taboo-alcohol/ (Accessed on: 01.01.2022, 21:15)</ref>

=== The Line ===
Unlike other cities, which have a more or less circular structure with a city in the middle and a residential area around that, Neom's basis will be a 170 kilometres-long line connecting the coast of the Red Sea with the mountains in the north-west of Saudi Arabia. Everything else will be built within a small range, hiding all of the infrastructure below surface level and leaving space for nature, pedestrians and housing on top. It is promised that every essential service and amenity will be reachable in just five minutes of walking, while also achieving the maximum preservation of the enviroment. This way, the design of The Line will provide a seamless way of living with nature.<ref name='The Line'>''The Line.'' Neom. https://www.neom.com/en-us/regions/whatistheline (Accessed on: 29.12.2021, 22:45)</ref> Along The Line, there will be hyper-connected AI-enabled communities, which are powered by 100% clean energy. It is anticipated to create 380,000 jobs and contribute $48 billion to the gross domestic product of Saudi Arabia by 2030.<ref name='Saudi Arabia'>Saudia Arabia. (2021). ''HRH prince Mohammed bin Salman announces The Line at Neom.'' Neom. https://www.neom.com/en-us/newsroom/hrh-prince-announces-the-line (Accessed on: 29.12.2021, 23:52)</ref>

=== Infrastructure ===
The Line is not only the concept for the structure of the city; it will also be the backbone of the transport and economic infrastructure. By using such a novel city structure, it will require a lot of innovative techniques to ensure the security of supply for both the inhabitants as well as businesses. The Line itself will be separated vertically into three layers. The first layer will be at surface level and will provide space for pedestrians, bikers and parks. The second layer, also called the service layer, will hold space for cars, transportation of goods and room for storage. The last and deepest layer is called the spine and it is probably the most important one. With its ultra-high-speed transit, AI-controlled transport and next generation freight, it secures interoperability all along The Line.<ref name='The Line'/>
Neom aims to introduce key economic sectors, including energy, water and mobility. Neom will be totally powered by renewable energy. The water supply will be fully backed by a seawater desalination facility. In total, 1,666,000m3 of water will be delivered by using advanced reverse osmosis membranes and hybrid technologies, achieving >60% recovery. <ref>''Seawater Desalination.'' Neom. https://www.neom.com/en-us/sectors/water/infrastructure/seawater-desalination (Accessed on: 02.02.2022, 18:37)</ref> Saudi Arabia wants to offer an effortless, efficient and sustainable way of connecting people. Walkability and cycling should be at the heart of mobility, while aiming for zero carbon emissions and using 100% renewable energy. Neom will be connected to international networks by air, land and sea.<ref>''The Future Of Mobility.'' Neom. https://www.neom.com/en-us/sectors/mobility (Accessed on: 02.02.2022, 18:50)</ref> As a special zone, Neom will offer personalized life-long learning journeys for all residents, starting from kindergarten through universities and beyond.<ref>''The Future Of Education.'' Neom. https://www.neom.com/en-us/sectors/education (Accessed on: 02.02.2022, 19:01)</ref>

== Critics ==
=== Exploitation Of Labour ===
Compared to many western cities, Saudi Arabia's cities do not have a centuries-old history. Neom represents one excessive and absurd example of this. In just over a decade, Neom is planned and constructed.
There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia will use migrant workers to build Neom. Proven by the many historic cases and given the tight time schedule to build this city, it's very likely that these migrant workers will face substandard working conditions, human rights violations and severe abuses.
Swiss journalist and Middle East expert Fredy Gsteiger points out Saudi Arabia's bureaucratic inefficeny and the lack of own capital. Despite well-known critics, foreign investors are attempting to be lured in by creating a buzz around the entire project. Similar projects like ''Masdar City'' in Abu Dhabi are fighting realization or adaption.<ref>Gsteiger, F. (2017). ''«Neom» – Stadt der Zukunft - Mehr als eine Fata Morgana?'' Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF). https://www.srf.ch/news/international/neom-stadt-der-zukunft-mehr-als-eine-fata-morgana (Accessed on: 01.01.2022, 21:10)</ref>

=== Demography ===
To offer all of the personalized services, Neom will need a lot of personal data. On the one hand, using such data will create effective ways of living and working, but on the other hand, it will threaten personal self determination. Collecting and storing such sensitive data by one of the most extreme non-free countries in the world for an international crowd implies tremendous risks to not only the people but other nations as well. Even if it is not Saudi Arabia who will misuse the data, say for diplomatic reasons, someone else certainly will. Neom will not only be a hub of innovation and progress, but also of massive personalized data sets, which could be attacked by governmental and non-governmental hackers. In the worst case, this could lead to one of the cyberutopias, as depicted, for example, in [[Orwell's "1984"]]. 
Another aspect is the people themselves. To attract innovation and capital and considering the restriction of just 1 million residents, Saudi Arabia will only allow wealthy or educated people to enter Neom, at least in the beginning. So, predominantly white and male people will shape the cityscape of Neom.

=== Saudi Arabia's Responsibility For Climate Change ===
As described in the overview of Saudi Arabia, the phase out of fossil fuels due to the climate crisis is one main reason for abolishing this economic branch. Interestingly, Saudi Arabia does not address this in its six strategic objectives as described in the vision of Neom.
It is really absurd to read the press statement about The Line by Mohammed bin Salman. He talks about the alarming future we face regarding the climate crisis. How one billion people will have to relocate by 2050. How 90% of the population have to breathe polluted air. And why we sacrifice nature for the sake of development. Mohammed bin Salman himself answers these questions with the concept of The Line in Neom, while he completely leaves out the true reasons for the climate crisis and all of its consequences. His state and his economy are responsible for 18.94tCO2e per capita in 2019 alone. This is twice the emissions of Germany (9.37tCO2e per capita in 2019). He creates some kind of Utopia and hype around Neom and The Line, while completely ignoring his dystopia he currently governs, which fuels the climate crisis and air pollution massively.<ref name='Saudi Arabia'/><ref> (2021). ''Historical GHG Emissions.'' Climate Watch. https://www.climatewatchdata.org/ghg-emissions (Accessed on: 30.12.2021, 14:17)</ref> 
When looking at the official website of Neom, a lot of utopian-like terms are used: ''Industry 4.0'', ''integrated supply chains'', ''leveraging solar and wind power in a dual system'' and ''well-being and biotech ecosystem''. All of these things sound promising, but lack specific plans for implementation.

=== Persecution Of The Bedouin ===
Even buidling The Line itself is not a clean act. As planned, The Line will be built from the coast of the Red Sea to the mountains in the north-west of Saudi Arabia. These mountains, however, are not untouched land full of far-reaching desert. Instead, they are home to approximately 20,000 Bedouin, a minority group of nomadic Arabs.<ref>Ramadan, D. (2020). ''Auf Sand und Blut gebaut.'' Süddeutsche Zeitung. https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/saudi-arabien-auf-sand-und-blut-gebaut-1.4904029 (Accessed on: 02.01.2022, 15:54)</ref> The Huwaitat are a traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe, which has lived on both sides of the Saudi-Jordanian border for hundreds of years. This tribe now faces eviction and forced displacement in the regions where Neom will be built. In the process, Saudi Arabia does not shy away from using bribery, violence and even murder, as a prominent example shows.<ref>Gardner, B. F. (2020). ''Saudi tribe challenges crown prince’s plans for tech city.'' BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-52375343 (Accessed on: 02.01.2022, 15:27)</ref> Abdul Rahim al-Hwaiti, a member of this tribe and critic of Neom, talks in a video about the people who were against the eviction and did not want to leave their houses either getting imprisoned or killed. Abdul Rahim al-Hwaiti is sure, that with his video he will be the next. Furthermore, he is sure the securities will break into his house, throw a weapon next to him and kill him by claiming he is a terrorist.<ref>Abdul Rahim al-Hwaiti uploaded by Green Birds. ''The Murder of Abdul Rahim al-Hwaiti NEOM استشهاد عبد الرحيم الحويطي في السعودية. (2020).'' YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Mp_CKbjdE&t=2s (Accessed on: 02.02.2022, 15:35)</ref> MENA Rights Group reports that on April 13, 2020, only a few hours after his video, his house was raided by security forces using excessive force and he was killed.<ref>(2020). ''Abdul Rahim Al Huwaiti, executed by Saudi special forces for protesting forced eviction.'' MENA Rights Group. https://menarights.org/en/caseprofile/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction (Accessed on: 02.01.2022, 15:40)</ref><ref>نورة الحربي (2020). https://twitter.com/n_alharbi12/status/1250733137149267971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1250733137149267971&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eg24.news%2F2020%2F04%2Fthis-is-how-abd-al-rahim-al-hwaitis-house-looked-after-he-was-killed-by-saudi-security-bullets-video.html (Accessed on: 02.02.2021, 15:49)</ref>

=== Political control of the population ===
The urban design of NEOM is structured to exert control over its population through highly centralized and regulated spatial planning. The most notable example is The Line, a 170-kilometer-long, narrow city that eliminates traditional streets and cars. This linear structure restricts free movement and funnels all mobility through controlled, monitored transport systems. By concentrating people in narrow, vertically stacked zones, it becomes easier to monitor and manage behavior.

Public and private spaces are fully integrated with smart infrastructure, where homes, offices, and even sidewalks are embedded with sensors and surveillance devices. This creates a built environment that constantly tracks location, interactions, and routines. The physical design discourages unsanctioned gatherings by limiting open public spaces and replacing them with regulated zones.

The city’s urban layout eliminates randomness — everything from energy use to personal mobility is optimized and automated. While this is presented as efficient, it also removes anonymity and spontaneity, which are essential for organizing collective action. Zoning and access control within NEOM ensure that only authorized individuals can enter specific areas, reinforcing social separation and reducing opportunities for political mobilization. Furthermore, the architectural design promotes individual isolation over community engagement, with a focus on high-tech, self-contained living units.

== Conclusion ==
Saudi Arabia is comparable to medieval European states, including slavery, brought into the 21st century. As an absolute monarchy, it ranks terrible on different human rights scales, like freedom of religion or LGBTQ rights. With Neom as an oasis of liberty and western values, the monarchy tries to shake off and distract from its issues. 
Relying solely on one economic branch can lead to various significant risks. Saudi Arabia is aware of this issue and is trying to resolve it with Vision 2030 to put some innovative pressure on the country. In the face of massive oil production and a devastating climate crisis, Neom strives to be the world's green(-washing) flagship. 
The days of petroleum, Saudi Arabia's biggest economic branch, are numbered. In order to compete in the future global economy, Saudi Arabia has to reinvent itself, economically as well as politically. With The Line, an ambitious and innovative city infrastructure concept of Neom, Prince Mohammed bin Salman tries to build up hype to attract foreign investors. 
Neom shall be an exit for Saudi Arabia's conflict between the end of the petroleum age and medieval-style governance. Saudi Arabia draws a utopian future for Neom as it could be written in a science fiction book. But in reality, security forces use excessive violence and murder to force the displacement of the local Bedouin. Neom will be built just right on top of the blood of these people, which resembles a dystopia. This is truly absurd.

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:GlossaLAB.edu]]

Draft:A unified language: Interlingua

2025-06-12T13:39:14Z

Joan Muñoz:

== Interlingua ==
== Abstract ==
This article explores the role of Interlingua as a manifestation of the utopian ideal of a perfect language. Framed within the broader historical and philosophical quest for a universal means of communication, Interlingua emerges as a pragmatic yet visionary attempt to transcend linguistic barriers. The concept of a perfect language has long been intertwined with utopian thought, reflecting desires for clarity, harmony, and mutual understanding among diverse cultures. By examining Interlingua's design principles, linguistic features, and cultural implications, this study highlights how it both embodies and challenges utopian aspirations. The analysis situates Interlingua within the lineage of constructed languages that seek linguistic universality, revealing the tensions between idealism and practicality in the search for a perfect communicative tool. Ultimately, this article argues that Interlingua represents a unique intersection between linguistic engineering and utopian philosophy.
== Origin and development ==
==== Origins of the project and linguistic background ====
The idea of an international auxiliary language has very ancient roots, dating back to the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, periods where the ideal of universal reason and the unity of knowledge were central.
Renaissance and Humanism: Figures such as Juan Luis Vives and Francis Bacon already imagined universal languages to facilitate communication and science.

17th and 18th centuries: The philosopher [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gottfried%20Wilhelm%20Leibniz Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz] dreamed of a characteristica universalis and a rational lingua franca to resolve philosophical and scientific disputes. This period also saw the proliferation of artificial language projects, although none ever became established.<ref>https://leibnizsozietaet.de/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/02_blanke.pdf</ref>

19th century: European colonial expansion and the development of global imperialism highlighted the practical need for a common language for trade and diplomacy. Planned languages emerged, such as [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volap%C3%BCk Volapük] (1879) and then Esperanto (1887), the most popular auxiliary language to this day. These projects had a strong social and pacifist idealism.

==== The geopolitical and scientific context of the early 20th century ====
The 20th century was characterized by accelerated and traumatic changes:
* World War I and II: The terrible consequences of the world wars increased interest in projects of international cooperation and mutual understanding to avoid future conflicts.

* Creation of international organizations: The founding of the League of Nations (1919) and then the UN (1945) demonstrated the need for global structures for dialogue and cooperation, where effective communication was key.

* Scientific and technological development: The revolution in the natural sciences, the expansion of education, and scientific specialization created a new linguistic universe with international terminology. English, French, German, and later Russian became the languages of science, but none were universal.

Since the 19th century, globalization and technological advances have fueled the need for an auxiliary language that could facilitate communication between people of different nationalities. In this context, multiple linguistic proposals emerged, from Volapük (created in 1879 by Johann Martin Schleyer) to Esperanto (1887 by Ludwik Zamenhof), all with the goal of being neutral and accessible languages. However, these languages had artificial structures that, although easy to learn, were not based on the natural vocabulary of the world's most widely spoken languages.

Interlingua was born from the search for a more natural alternative, a language that would take advantage of the historical evolution of Latin and the Romance languages, allowing it to be understood without the need for prior learning.<ref>Gode, A. (1951). Interlingua: A dictionary of the international language. International Auxiliary Language Association.</ref>
=== The role of the International Auxiliary Language Association (IALA) ===
In 1924, the International Auxiliary Language Association (IALA) was founded in New York by Alice Vanderbilt Morris and her husband, Dave Hennen Morris, two philanthropists passionate about international communication. Their goal was to study and develop an international auxiliary language based on scientific principles.
[[File:Interlingua de IALA Logo.png|thumb]]

The [https://www.interlingua.com/historia/diverse/iala1952.htm IALA]'s early years focused on analyzing existing language systems. With the help of prominent linguists, including Otto Jespersen, Edward Sapir, and André Martinet, languages such as Esperanto, Ido, and Western languages were explored, assessing their viability as means of international communication. Over time, research revealed that the best option was not to adopt an artificial language but to develop a language based on widely recognized terms worldwide.<ref>https://archives.nypl.org/mss/1514</ref>
=== The Interlingua Creation Process ===
Beginning in 1937, the IALA began developing its own auxiliary language under the direction of German linguist Alexander Gode, who played a pivotal role in structuring Interlingua. His approach was different from previous artificial languages: instead of creating a grammar from scratch, Gode and his team established rules based on the common vocabulary of Romance languages and English.

The IALA's work culminated in 1951, when the first Interlingua dictionary, titled the Interlingua-English Dictionary, was officially published, along with a detailed grammar. This dictionary included words recognizable to most speakers of Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, and English, making it easier to understand without the need for prior instruction.
=== Fundamental Principles of Interlingua ===
Interlingua is based on the idea that communication should be as accessible as possible. Its key features include:
# International Vocabulary: Words that already exist in multiple languages were chosen, ensuring they were recognizable without the need for memorization.
# Simplified Grammar: While maintaining the basic structure of Romance languages, unnecessary irregularities were eliminated, making Interlingua easy to use.
# Natural Spelling: The phonetic evolution of words was respected instead of imposing an artificial spelling.
# Immediate Comprehensibility: Many Romance language speakers can understand Interlingua texts without having previously studied it.

== Interlingua within the categories of philosophical utopias==
Philosophical utopias can be classified into several families or currents. Below is where Interlingua falls within this classification:

1. Technical or functional utopias
These utopias do not imagine a perfect society in moral or spiritual terms, but rather in technical or practical terms. Interlingua belongs to this category because it seeks to solve a technical-cultural problem (the lack of communication between peoples) through a functional tool: a common, understandable, and neutral language.

2. Cosmopolitan utopias
They dream of a world without borders, where humanity recognizes itself as one. A single language has been a constant in these visions. Interlingua also belongs to this family, as it promotes a worldview where linguistic diversity does not imply misunderstanding or inequality.

3. Language Utopias
These utopias maintain that many of the world's injustices, conflicts, and misunderstandings stem from the defects of human language.<ref>https://www.azimuthjournal.com/2016/06/11/azimuth-32014-utopias-the-un-placed-in-language-and-politics/</ref> Projects such as Leibniz's "lingua perfecta" (characteristic universalis) or Esperanto reflect this type of thinking. Interlingua is an heir to this tradition, but distances itself from purely philosophical or artificial languages, opting for a naturalistic approach based on existing Romance languages.

== The Utopia of Interlingua in the Information Society ==
The advent of the information society, characterized by the widespread creation, distribution, and manipulation of information through digital technologies, is transforming the way human beings communicate and interact globally. Within this new paradigm, the utopian vision of Interlingua as a perfect or ideal language takes on renewed relevance and urgency, as the challenges of linguistic diversity and communicative efficiency become more acute.

The utopian ideal of Interlingua in the information society revolves around its potential to serve as a universal linguistic bridge in an increasingly interconnected and data-driven world. The explosion of information flows—through scientific research, global media, commerce, and social media—exacerbates the fragmentation caused by language barriers. Despite the rise of dominant languages like English, the diversity of mother tongues still poses significant challenges to equitable access, clarity, and mutual understanding. The promise of Interlingua lies in its design: an accessible, neutral language based on common linguistic roots that could democratize the exchange of information.

==== Universal Access to Knowledge====
A central aspect of Interlingua's utopia is the ideal of universal access to information. In the information society, knowledge is power, and language barriers create asymmetries in who can participate in the global discourse. Interlingua's naturalistic vocabulary, drawn from Romance languages and English, makes it immediately understandable to millions of people, allowing for faster learning and use without the ideology and cultural baggage associated with national languages. This could empower non-native speakers to access, share, and contribute to scientific, technological, and cultural knowledge, thereby bridging the digital divide.

==== Neutrality and Inclusion ====
Interlingua embodies the utopian principle of language neutrality, essential in the politically charged environment of the information society. Unlike natural lingua francas that often bear the burden of cultural imperialism (e.g., English), Interlingua aspires to be a neutral tool, free from nationalist domination. This neutrality is crucial for the fair exchange of information, fostering trust and cooperation in international collaborations, open data initiatives, and global governance.

==== Communication Efficiency ====
Speed and clarity of communication are vital in the information society, where information overload is a constant challenge. Interlingua's regular grammar and vocabulary, designed to be immediately recognizable and easy to process, offer an efficient linguistic system that minimizes misunderstandings and translation errors. This efficiency could facilitate everything from international scientific publishing to real-time data sharing and global problem-solving, embodying a utopian ideal of fluid communication.

==== Interlingua as a Tool for Cultural Exchange ====
Beyond its practical aspect, Interlingua represents a utopian vision of cultural dialogue and integration. By drawing on multiple European linguistic traditions, it symbolically unites diverse cultures under a shared communicative framework. In the information society, where cultural content proliferates and intercultural understanding is vital for social cohesion, Interlingua could serve as a medium that respects diversity and promotes mutual intelligibility.<ref>Brambilla, M., Bait, M., & Crestani, V. (Eds.). (2021). Utopian Discourses Across Cultures. Peter Lang.</ref>

== Dystopian Aspects Related to the Interlingua Utopia==
Every utopia, when imagining an ideal world, can also be analyzed in terms of its potential negative consequences or risks: dystopias.
In the case of Interlingua, several dystopian aspects can emerge if this utopia is not handled carefully.

==== Dystopia of Cultural Homogenization and Loss of Diversity ====
A fundamental risk is that the massive success of a universal auxiliary language could:

Eliminate or diminish the importance of local and minority languages, causing an irreversible loss of culture, traditions, and ancestral knowledge.
Lead to cultural homogenization, where the richness of human diversity is impoverished by the domination of a hegemonic language and culture. This aspect is especially relevant for Interlingua because, being based on Romance languages, it can represent a covert form of cultural Eurocentrism.

==== Dystopia of communicative control and surveillance ====
Another dystopia that can be associated, especially in the digital age, is that of totalitarian control of communication:

If a universal language is imposed or monopolized, it could be used as a tool for global surveillance, manipulation, or censorship. Linguistic uniformity would facilitate the standardization and mass monitoring of discourse, eliminating spaces for cultural and critical resistance.
Although Interlingua is an open and voluntary project, its use in a hyperconnected world could be exploited for less altruistic purposes.

==== Dystopia of Failure and Exclusion ====
Finally, there is the dystopia of the failure of the linguistic utopia:

The practical impossibility of Interlingua's widespread adoption or adoption generates exclusion. The persistence of deep language barriers can increase social and political fragmentation, accentuating inequalities and a lack of understanding. In this sense, the linguistic utopia of Interlingua can become a source of frustration and alienation for its proponents.

== Current Situation of the Interlingua Utopia in the 21st Century ==
In the present day, Interlingua remains a marginal yet symbolically powerful project. It represents a rationalist, pacifist, and technocratic utopia of global communication, but its real-world application is limited. Below is a detailed analysis of its current status across different dimensions.

=== Practical Use and Global Reach ===
Interlingua has a small but dedicated community of speakers, mainly in Europe and the Americas. It is used for hobbyist communication, translations, and some educational and scientific content. Unlike English, French, or even Esperanto (which is sometimes used recognition in international meetings and has some legal), Interlingua has no institutional backing or formal recognition by governments or international organizations<ref>https://esperantoporun.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Newsletter55Nov2021.pdf</ref>. It maintains a modest online footprint—there are dictionaries, learning platforms, YouTube content, and online forums. However, its visibility is far eclipsed by English and even Esperanto.

=== Relevance in the [[Information society (preliminary)|Information Society]] ===
The ideals that motivated Interlingua—global communication, access to knowledge, and linguistic neutrality—are more relevant than ever in today's globalized, hyper-connected world. However English is the default language of science, business, academia, and digital platforms. Around 80% of all online scientific publications are in English.<ref>https://www.academia.edu/32161067/ENGLISH_AS_A_MEANS_OF_SCIENTIFIC_COMMUNICATION_LINGUISTIC_IMPERIALISM_OR_INTERLINGUA</ref>
Machine translation and AI tools (like Google Translate, DeepL, and ChatGPT) are reducing the need for an intermediary universal language. The idea of a constructed linguistic bridge is being replaced by automated multilingualism. Global South languages remain underrepresented, and the Interlingua—despite its intentions—offers little to redress this imbalance because it draws mainly from Western European languages.

=== Cultural and Political Reception ===
While Interlingua was meant to be culturally neutral, critics point out that it reflects a Western European bias, primarily favoring Romance languages and international scientific vocabulary rooted in Latin and Greek. In the 21st century, the ideal of linguistic diversity and plurilingualism has gained more traction than linguistic unification. UNESCO, for example, promotes cultural and linguistic plurality as essential to sustainable development.<ref>https://www.unesco.org/en/multilingualism-linguistic-diversity</ref>

== Philosophical synthesis ==
The utopia of Interlingua is situated at the crossroads between a rationalist and humanist ideal, which believes in reason and science to solve fundamental problems of humanity, such as communication and peace and a multicultural and complex reality, where communication is not only technical, but deeply political and cultural.

In the information society, the utopia of a common language reflects a hope for a more interconnected and understanding world. However, it also highlights the tensions between unity and diversity, homogenization and plurality, control and freedom.

From a critical philosophical perspective, Interlingua exemplifies the dialectic of utopias: every ideal vision contains within itself potential elements for progress, oppression, or failure.

== Conclusion ==
Interlingua, as an international auxiliary language project, represents much more than a grammatical system or a communication tool, it constitutes a comprehensive utopian proposal with deep philosophical, political, and cultural roots. It was born in the 20th century, but draws on a long intellectual tradition that dreams of a world united through language.

In the context of the history of utopias, Interlingua is situated at the confluence of three major currents: the rationalist utopia, which relies on logic and systematic design to improve human life; the cosmopolitan utopia, which aspires to unify humanity under common principles of understanding; and the functional or technical utopia, which seeks to solve a specific problem through effective innovation. Interlingua combines these three elements, it is presented as a technical solution, rationally designed, with the ambition of promoting global brotherhood.

However, like any utopia, Interlingua stands the test of time and reality. In the current context of the information society, where data flows and global interconnectivity have transformed human communication, the linguistic utopia takes on new meanings. The desire for a common language that facilitates global understanding seems more urgent than ever, but also more complex. Translation technologies, the dominance of English as a lingua franca, and the vindication of local and minority languages create a scenario of constant tensions between unification and plurality.

From this perspective, the Interlingua utopia reveals both its lights and its shadows. On the one hand, it remains an inspiring vision: the belief that, beyond cultural differences, human beings can find a common way of speaking, sharing knowledge, resolving conflicts, and building a more peaceful world. On the other hand, it also represents a potential risk of **cultural uniformity**, of making the planet's linguistic richness invisible, and even of becoming, paradoxically, a tool of exclusion or control if used coercively or elitistly.

Interlingua has not been widely adopted, but that does not make it a failure. Rather, it can be seen as a persistent symbol of utopian imagination, of that impulse to imagine alternatives, to experiment with futures, to design other ways of inhabiting the world. In times of fragmentation, war, and polarization, its proposal—albeit modest—reminds us that it is still possible to dream of a common language that is not imposed, but shared; not exclusive, but integrative.

Because ultimately, the true value of utopias lies not in their literal realization, but in their capacity to make us think, to provoke, to mobilize the ethical and political imagination. And in that sense, Interlingua continues to speak to us, even if it is not (yet) in everyone's language.

== References ==

Draft:Unified languages

2025-06-12T13:39:14Z

Joan Muñoz:

File:Interlingua de IALA Logo.png

2025-06-12T13:31:37Z

Joan Muñoz:

Interlingua de IALA Logo

Draft:A unified language: Interlingua

2025-06-11T15:54:19Z

Joan Muñoz: Created page with "== Interlingua == == Abstract == This article explores the role of Interlingua as a manifestation of the utopian ideal of a perfect language. Framed within the broader historical and philosophical quest for a universal means of communication, Interlingua emerges as a pragmatic yet visionary attempt to transcend linguistic barriers. The concept of a perfect language has long been intertwined with utopian thought, reflecting desires for clarity, harmony, and mutual underst..."

== Interlingua ==
== Abstract ==
This article explores the role of Interlingua as a manifestation of the utopian ideal of a perfect language. Framed within the broader historical and philosophical quest for a universal means of communication, Interlingua emerges as a pragmatic yet visionary attempt to transcend linguistic barriers. The concept of a perfect language has long been intertwined with utopian thought, reflecting desires for clarity, harmony, and mutual understanding among diverse cultures. By examining Interlingua's design principles, linguistic features, and cultural implications, this study highlights how it both embodies and challenges utopian aspirations. The analysis situates Interlingua within the lineage of constructed languages that seek linguistic universality, revealing the tensions between idealism and practicality in the search for a perfect communicative tool. Ultimately, this article argues that Interlingua represents a unique intersection between linguistic engineering and utopian philosophy.
== Origin and development ==
==== Origins of the project and linguistic background ====
The idea of an international auxiliary language has very ancient roots, dating back to the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, periods where the ideal of universal reason and the unity of knowledge were central.
Renaissance and Humanism: Figures such as Juan Luis Vives and Francis Bacon already imagined universal languages to facilitate communication and science.

17th and 18th centuries: The philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz dreamed of a characteristica universalis and a rational lingua franca to resolve philosophical and scientific disputes. This period also saw the proliferation of artificial language projects, although none ever became established.<ref>https://leibnizsozietaet.de/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/02_blanke.pdf</ref>

19th century: European colonial expansion and the development of global imperialism highlighted the practical need for a common language for trade and diplomacy. Planned languages emerged, such as Volapük (1879) and then Esperanto (1887), the most popular auxiliary language to this day. These projects had a strong social and pacifist idealism.

==== The geopolitical and scientific context of the early 20th century ====
The 20th century was characterized by accelerated and traumatic changes:
* World War I and II: The terrible consequences of the world wars increased interest in projects of international cooperation and mutual understanding to avoid future conflicts.

* Creation of international organizations: The founding of the League of Nations (1919) and then the UN (1945) demonstrated the need for global structures for dialogue and cooperation, where effective communication was key.

* Scientific and technological development: The revolution in the natural sciences, the expansion of education, and scientific specialization created a new linguistic universe with international terminology. English, French, German, and later Russian became the languages of science, but none were universal.

Since the 19th century, globalization and technological advances have fueled the need for an auxiliary language that could facilitate communication between people of different nationalities. In this context, multiple linguistic proposals emerged, from Volapük (created in 1879 by Johann Martin Schleyer) to Esperanto (1887 by Ludwik Zamenhof), all with the goal of being neutral and accessible languages. However, these languages had artificial structures that, although easy to learn, were not based on the natural vocabulary of the world's most widely spoken languages.

Interlingua was born from the search for a more natural alternative, a language that would take advantage of the historical evolution of Latin and the Romance languages, allowing it to be understood without the need for prior learning.<ref>Gode, A. (1951). Interlingua: A dictionary of the international language. International Auxiliary Language Association.</ref>
=== The role of the International Auxiliary Language Association (IALA) ===
In 1924, the International Auxiliary Language Association (IALA) was founded in New York by Alice Vanderbilt Morris and her husband, Dave Hennen Morris, two philanthropists passionate about international communication. Their goal was to study and develop an international auxiliary language based on scientific principles.

The IALA's early years focused on analyzing existing language systems. With the help of prominent linguists, including Otto Jespersen, Edward Sapir, and André Martinet, languages such as Esperanto, Ido, and Western languages were explored, assessing their viability as means of international communication. Over time, research revealed that the best option was not to adopt an artificial language but to develop a language based on widely recognized terms worldwide.<ref>https://archives.nypl.org/mss/1514</ref>
=== The Interlingua Creation Process ===
Beginning in 1937, the IALA began developing its own auxiliary language under the direction of German linguist Alexander Gode, who played a pivotal role in structuring Interlingua. His approach was different from previous artificial languages: instead of creating a grammar from scratch, Gode and his team established rules based on the common vocabulary of Romance languages and English.

The IALA's work culminated in 1951, when the first Interlingua dictionary, titled the Interlingua-English Dictionary, was officially published, along with a detailed grammar. This dictionary included words recognizable to most speakers of Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, and English, making it easier to understand without the need for prior instruction.
=== Fundamental Principles of Interlingua ===
Interlingua is based on the idea that communication should be as accessible as possible. Its key features include:
# International Vocabulary: Words that already exist in multiple languages were chosen, ensuring they were recognizable without the need for memorization.
# Simplified Grammar: While maintaining the basic structure of Romance languages, unnecessary irregularities were eliminated, making Interlingua easy to use.
# Natural Spelling: The phonetic evolution of words was respected instead of imposing an artificial spelling.
# Immediate Comprehensibility: Many Romance language speakers can understand Interlingua texts without having previously studied it.

== Interlingua within the categories of philosophical utopias==
Philosophical utopias can be classified into several families or currents. Below is where Interlingua falls within this classification:

1. Technical or functional utopias
These utopias do not imagine a perfect society in moral or spiritual terms, but rather in technical or practical terms. Interlingua belongs to this category because it seeks to solve a technical-cultural problem (the lack of communication between peoples) through a functional tool: a common, understandable, and neutral language.

2. Cosmopolitan utopias
They dream of a world without borders, where humanity recognizes itself as one. A single language has been a constant in these visions. Interlingua also belongs to this family, as it promotes a worldview where linguistic diversity does not imply misunderstanding or inequality.

3. Language Utopias
These utopias maintain that many of the world's injustices, conflicts, and misunderstandings stem from the defects of human language.<ref>https://www.azimuthjournal.com/2016/06/11/azimuth-32014-utopias-the-un-placed-in-language-and-politics/</ref> Projects such as Leibniz's "lingua perfecta" (characteristic universalis) or Esperanto reflect this type of thinking. Interlingua is an heir to this tradition, but distances itself from purely philosophical or artificial languages, opting for a naturalistic approach based on existing Romance languages.

== The Utopia of Interlingua in the Information Society ==
The advent of the information society, characterized by the widespread creation, distribution, and manipulation of information through digital technologies, is transforming the way human beings communicate and interact globally. Within this new paradigm, the utopian vision of Interlingua as a perfect or ideal language takes on renewed relevance and urgency, as the challenges of linguistic diversity and communicative efficiency become more acute.

The utopian ideal of Interlingua in the information society revolves around its potential to serve as a universal linguistic bridge in an increasingly interconnected and data-driven world. The explosion of information flows—through scientific research, global media, commerce, and social media—exacerbates the fragmentation caused by language barriers. Despite the rise of dominant languages like English, the diversity of mother tongues still poses significant challenges to equitable access, clarity, and mutual understanding. The promise of Interlingua lies in its design: an accessible, neutral language based on common linguistic roots that could democratize the exchange of information.

==== Universal Access to Knowledge====
A central aspect of Interlingua's utopia is the ideal of universal access to information. In the information society, knowledge is power, and language barriers create asymmetries in who can participate in the global discourse. Interlingua's naturalistic vocabulary, drawn from Romance languages and English, makes it immediately understandable to millions of people, allowing for faster learning and use without the ideology and cultural baggage associated with national languages. This could empower non-native speakers to access, share, and contribute to scientific, technological, and cultural knowledge, thereby bridging the digital divide.

==== Neutrality and Inclusion ====
Interlingua embodies the utopian principle of language neutrality, essential in the politically charged environment of the information society. Unlike natural lingua francas that often bear the burden of cultural imperialism (e.g., English), Interlingua aspires to be a neutral tool, free from nationalist domination. This neutrality is crucial for the fair exchange of information, fostering trust and cooperation in international collaborations, open data initiatives, and global governance.

==== Communication Efficiency ====
Speed and clarity of communication are vital in the information society, where information overload is a constant challenge. Interlingua's regular grammar and vocabulary, designed to be immediately recognizable and easy to process, offer an efficient linguistic system that minimizes misunderstandings and translation errors. This efficiency could facilitate everything from international scientific publishing to real-time data sharing and global problem-solving, embodying a utopian ideal of fluid communication.

==== Interlingua as a Tool for Cultural Exchange ====
Beyond its practical aspect, Interlingua represents a utopian vision of cultural dialogue and integration. By drawing on multiple European linguistic traditions, it symbolically unites diverse cultures under a shared communicative framework. In the information society, where cultural content proliferates and intercultural understanding is vital for social cohesion, Interlingua could serve as a medium that respects diversity and promotes mutual intelligibility.<ref>Brambilla, M., Bait, M., & Crestani, V. (Eds.). (2021). Utopian Discourses Across Cultures. Peter Lang.</ref>

== Dystopian Aspects Related to the Interlingua Utopia==
Every utopia, when imagining an ideal world, can also be analyzed in terms of its potential negative consequences or risks: dystopias.
In the case of Interlingua, several dystopian aspects can emerge if this utopia is not handled carefully.

==== Dystopia of Cultural Homogenization and Loss of Diversity ====
A fundamental risk is that the massive success of a universal auxiliary language could:

Eliminate or diminish the importance of local and minority languages, causing an irreversible loss of culture, traditions, and ancestral knowledge.
Lead to cultural homogenization, where the richness of human diversity is impoverished by the domination of a hegemonic language and culture. This aspect is especially relevant for Interlingua because, being based on Romance languages, it can represent a covert form of cultural Eurocentrism.

==== Dystopia of communicative control and surveillance ====
Another dystopia that can be associated, especially in the digital age, is that of totalitarian control of communication:

If a universal language is imposed or monopolized, it could be used as a tool for global surveillance, manipulation, or censorship. Linguistic uniformity would facilitate the standardization and mass monitoring of discourse, eliminating spaces for cultural and critical resistance.
Although Interlingua is an open and voluntary project, its use in a hyperconnected world could be exploited for less altruistic purposes.

==== Dystopia of Failure and Exclusion ====
Finally, there is the dystopia of the failure of the linguistic utopia:

The practical impossibility of Interlingua's widespread adoption or adoption generates exclusion. The persistence of deep language barriers can increase social and political fragmentation, accentuating inequalities and a lack of understanding. In this sense, the linguistic utopia of Interlingua can become a source of frustration and alienation for its proponents.

== Current Situation of the Interlingua Utopia in the 21st Century ==
In the present day, Interlingua remains a marginal yet symbolically powerful project. It represents a rationalist, pacifist, and technocratic utopia of global communication, but its real-world application is limited. Below is a detailed analysis of its current status across different dimensions.

=== Practical Use and Global Reach ===
Interlingua has a small but dedicated community of speakers, mainly in Europe and the Americas. It is used for hobbyist communication, translations, and some educational and scientific content. Unlike English, French, or even Esperanto (which is sometimes used recognition in international meetings and has some legal), Interlingua has no institutional backing or formal recognition by governments or international organizations<ref>https://esperantoporun.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Newsletter55Nov2021.pdf</ref>. It maintains a modest online footprint—there are dictionaries, learning platforms, YouTube content, and online forums. However, its visibility is far eclipsed by English and even Esperanto.

=== Relevance in the Information Society ===
The ideals that motivated Interlingua—global communication, access to knowledge, and linguistic neutrality—are more relevant than ever in today's globalized, hyper-connected world. However English is the default language of science, business, academia, and digital platforms. Around 80% of all online scientific publications are in English.<ref>https://www.academia.edu/32161067/ENGLISH_AS_A_MEANS_OF_SCIENTIFIC_COMMUNICATION_LINGUISTIC_IMPERIALISM_OR_INTERLINGUA</ref>
Machine translation and AI tools (like Google Translate, DeepL, and ChatGPT) are reducing the need for an intermediary universal language. The idea of a constructed linguistic bridge is being replaced by automated multilingualism. Global South languages remain underrepresented, and the Interlingua—despite its intentions—offers little to redress this imbalance because it draws mainly from Western European languages.

=== Cultural and Political Reception ===
While Interlingua was meant to be culturally neutral, critics point out that it reflects a Western European bias, primarily favoring Romance languages and international scientific vocabulary rooted in Latin and Greek. In the 21st century, the ideal of linguistic diversity and plurilingualism has gained more traction than linguistic unification. UNESCO, for example, promotes cultural and linguistic plurality as essential to sustainable development.<ref>https://www.unesco.org/en/multilingualism-linguistic-diversity</ref>

== Philosophical synthesis ==
The utopia of Interlingua is situated at the crossroads between a rationalist and humanist ideal, which believes in reason and science to solve fundamental problems of humanity, such as communication and peace and a multicultural and complex reality, where communication is not only technical, but deeply political and cultural.

In the information society, the utopia of a common language reflects a hope for a more interconnected and understanding world. However, it also highlights the tensions between unity and diversity, homogenization and plurality, control and freedom.

From a critical philosophical perspective, Interlingua exemplifies the dialectic of utopias: every ideal vision contains within itself potential elements for progress, oppression, or failure.

== Conclusion ==
Interlingua, as an international auxiliary language project, represents much more than a grammatical system or a communication tool, it constitutes a comprehensive utopian proposal with deep philosophical, political, and cultural roots. It was born in the 20th century, but draws on a long intellectual tradition that dreams of a world united through language.

In the context of the history of utopias, Interlingua is situated at the confluence of three major currents: the rationalist utopia, which relies on logic and systematic design to improve human life; the cosmopolitan utopia, which aspires to unify humanity under common principles of understanding; and the functional or technical utopia, which seeks to solve a specific problem through effective innovation. Interlingua combines these three elements, it is presented as a technical solution, rationally designed, with the ambition of promoting global brotherhood.

However, like any utopia, Interlingua stands the test of time and reality. In the current context of the information society, where data flows and global interconnectivity have transformed human communication, the linguistic utopia takes on new meanings. The desire for a common language that facilitates global understanding seems more urgent than ever, but also more complex. Translation technologies, the dominance of English as a lingua franca, and the vindication of local and minority languages create a scenario of constant tensions between unification and plurality.

From this perspective, the Interlingua utopia reveals both its lights and its shadows. On the one hand, it remains an inspiring vision: the belief that, beyond cultural differences, human beings can find a common way of speaking, sharing knowledge, resolving conflicts, and building a more peaceful world. On the other hand, it also represents a potential risk of **cultural uniformity**, of making the planet's linguistic richness invisible, and even of becoming, paradoxically, a tool of exclusion or control if used coercively or elitistly.

Interlingua has not been widely adopted, but that does not make it a failure. Rather, it can be seen as a persistent symbol of utopian imagination, of that impulse to imagine alternatives, to experiment with futures, to design other ways of inhabiting the world. In times of fragmentation, war, and polarization, its proposal—albeit modest—reminds us that it is still possible to dream of a common language that is not imposed, but shared; not exclusive, but integrative.

Because ultimately, the true value of utopias lies not in their literal realization, but in their capacity to make us think, to provoke, to mobilize the ethical and political imagination. And in that sense, Interlingua continues to speak to us, even if it is not (yet) in everyone's language.

== References ==

Draft:Unified languages

2025-06-11T15:54:19Z

== Interlingua ==
== Abstract ==
This article explores the role of Interlingua as a manifestation of the utopian ideal of a perfect language. Framed within the broader historical and philosophical quest for a universal means of communication, Interlingua emerges as a pragmatic yet visionary attempt to transcend linguistic barriers. The concept of a perfect language has long been intertwined with utopian thought, reflecting desires for clarity, harmony, and mutual understanding among diverse cultures. By examining Interlingua's design principles, linguistic features, and cultural implications, this study highlights how it both embodies and challenges utopian aspirations. The analysis situates Interlingua within the lineage of constructed languages that seek linguistic universality, revealing the tensions between idealism and practicality in the search for a perfect communicative tool. Ultimately, this article argues that Interlingua represents a unique intersection between linguistic engineering and utopian philosophy.
== Origin and development ==
==== Origins of the project and linguistic background ====
The idea of an international auxiliary language has very ancient roots, dating back to the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, periods where the ideal of universal reason and the unity of knowledge were central.
Renaissance and Humanism: Figures such as Juan Luis Vives and Francis Bacon already imagined universal languages to facilitate communication and science.

17th and 18th centuries: The philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz dreamed of a characteristica universalis and a rational lingua franca to resolve philosophical and scientific disputes. This period also saw the proliferation of artificial language projects, although none ever became established.<ref>https://leibnizsozietaet.de/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/02_blanke.pdf</ref>

19th century: European colonial expansion and the development of global imperialism highlighted the practical need for a common language for trade and diplomacy. Planned languages emerged, such as Volapük (1879) and then Esperanto (1887), the most popular auxiliary language to this day. These projects had a strong social and pacifist idealism.

==== The geopolitical and scientific context of the early 20th century ====
The 20th century was characterized by accelerated and traumatic changes:
* World War I and II: The terrible consequences of the world wars increased interest in projects of international cooperation and mutual understanding to avoid future conflicts.

* Creation of international organizations: The founding of the League of Nations (1919) and then the UN (1945) demonstrated the need for global structures for dialogue and cooperation, where effective communication was key.

* Scientific and technological development: The revolution in the natural sciences, the expansion of education, and scientific specialization created a new linguistic universe with international terminology. English, French, German, and later Russian became the languages of science, but none were universal.

Since the 19th century, globalization and technological advances have fueled the need for an auxiliary language that could facilitate communication between people of different nationalities. In this context, multiple linguistic proposals emerged, from Volapük (created in 1879 by Johann Martin Schleyer) to Esperanto (1887 by Ludwik Zamenhof), all with the goal of being neutral and accessible languages. However, these languages had artificial structures that, although easy to learn, were not based on the natural vocabulary of the world's most widely spoken languages.

Interlingua was born from the search for a more natural alternative, a language that would take advantage of the historical evolution of Latin and the Romance languages, allowing it to be understood without the need for prior learning.<ref>Gode, A. (1951). Interlingua: A dictionary of the international language. International Auxiliary Language Association.</ref>
=== The role of the International Auxiliary Language Association (IALA) ===
In 1924, the International Auxiliary Language Association (IALA) was founded in New York by Alice Vanderbilt Morris and her husband, Dave Hennen Morris, two philanthropists passionate about international communication. Their goal was to study and develop an international auxiliary language based on scientific principles.

The IALA's early years focused on analyzing existing language systems. With the help of prominent linguists, including Otto Jespersen, Edward Sapir, and André Martinet, languages such as Esperanto, Ido, and Western languages were explored, assessing their viability as means of international communication. Over time, research revealed that the best option was not to adopt an artificial language but to develop a language based on widely recognized terms worldwide.<ref>https://archives.nypl.org/mss/1514</ref>
=== The Interlingua Creation Process ===
Beginning in 1937, the IALA began developing its own auxiliary language under the direction of German linguist Alexander Gode, who played a pivotal role in structuring Interlingua. His approach was different from previous artificial languages: instead of creating a grammar from scratch, Gode and his team established rules based on the common vocabulary of Romance languages and English.

The IALA's work culminated in 1951, when the first Interlingua dictionary, titled the Interlingua-English Dictionary, was officially published, along with a detailed grammar. This dictionary included words recognizable to most speakers of Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, and English, making it easier to understand without the need for prior instruction.
=== Fundamental Principles of Interlingua ===
Interlingua is based on the idea that communication should be as accessible as possible. Its key features include:
# International Vocabulary: Words that already exist in multiple languages were chosen, ensuring they were recognizable without the need for memorization.
# Simplified Grammar: While maintaining the basic structure of Romance languages, unnecessary irregularities were eliminated, making Interlingua easy to use.
# Natural Spelling: The phonetic evolution of words was respected instead of imposing an artificial spelling.
# Immediate Comprehensibility: Many Romance language speakers can understand Interlingua texts without having previously studied it.

== Interlingua within the categories of philosophical utopias==
Philosophical utopias can be classified into several families or currents. Below is where Interlingua falls within this classification:

1. Technical or functional utopias
These utopias do not imagine a perfect society in moral or spiritual terms, but rather in technical or practical terms. Interlingua belongs to this category because it seeks to solve a technical-cultural problem (the lack of communication between peoples) through a functional tool: a common, understandable, and neutral language.

2. Cosmopolitan utopias
They dream of a world without borders, where humanity recognizes itself as one. A single language has been a constant in these visions. Interlingua also belongs to this family, as it promotes a worldview where linguistic diversity does not imply misunderstanding or inequality.

3. Language Utopias
These utopias maintain that many of the world's injustices, conflicts, and misunderstandings stem from the defects of human language.<ref>https://www.azimuthjournal.com/2016/06/11/azimuth-32014-utopias-the-un-placed-in-language-and-politics/</ref> Projects such as Leibniz's "lingua perfecta" (characteristic universalis) or Esperanto reflect this type of thinking. Interlingua is an heir to this tradition, but distances itself from purely philosophical or artificial languages, opting for a naturalistic approach based on existing Romance languages.

== The Utopia of Interlingua in the Information Society ==
The advent of the information society, characterized by the widespread creation, distribution, and manipulation of information through digital technologies, is transforming the way human beings communicate and interact globally. Within this new paradigm, the utopian vision of Interlingua as a perfect or ideal language takes on renewed relevance and urgency, as the challenges of linguistic diversity and communicative efficiency become more acute.

The utopian ideal of Interlingua in the information society revolves around its potential to serve as a universal linguistic bridge in an increasingly interconnected and data-driven world. The explosion of information flows—through scientific research, global media, commerce, and social media—exacerbates the fragmentation caused by language barriers. Despite the rise of dominant languages like English, the diversity of mother tongues still poses significant challenges to equitable access, clarity, and mutual understanding. The promise of Interlingua lies in its design: an accessible, neutral language based on common linguistic roots that could democratize the exchange of information.

==== Universal Access to Knowledge====
A central aspect of Interlingua's utopia is the ideal of universal access to information. In the information society, knowledge is power, and language barriers create asymmetries in who can participate in the global discourse. Interlingua's naturalistic vocabulary, drawn from Romance languages and English, makes it immediately understandable to millions of people, allowing for faster learning and use without the ideology and cultural baggage associated with national languages. This could empower non-native speakers to access, share, and contribute to scientific, technological, and cultural knowledge, thereby bridging the digital divide.

==== Neutrality and Inclusion ====
Interlingua embodies the utopian principle of language neutrality, essential in the politically charged environment of the information society. Unlike natural lingua francas that often bear the burden of cultural imperialism (e.g., English), Interlingua aspires to be a neutral tool, free from nationalist domination. This neutrality is crucial for the fair exchange of information, fostering trust and cooperation in international collaborations, open data initiatives, and global governance.

==== Communication Efficiency ====
Speed and clarity of communication are vital in the information society, where information overload is a constant challenge. Interlingua's regular grammar and vocabulary, designed to be immediately recognizable and easy to process, offer an efficient linguistic system that minimizes misunderstandings and translation errors. This efficiency could facilitate everything from international scientific publishing to real-time data sharing and global problem-solving, embodying a utopian ideal of fluid communication.

==== Interlingua as a Tool for Cultural Exchange ====
Beyond its practical aspect, Interlingua represents a utopian vision of cultural dialogue and integration. By drawing on multiple European linguistic traditions, it symbolically unites diverse cultures under a shared communicative framework. In the information society, where cultural content proliferates and intercultural understanding is vital for social cohesion, Interlingua could serve as a medium that respects diversity and promotes mutual intelligibility.<ref>Brambilla, M., Bait, M., & Crestani, V. (Eds.). (2021). Utopian Discourses Across Cultures. Peter Lang.</ref>

== Dystopian Aspects Related to the Interlingua Utopia==
Every utopia, when imagining an ideal world, can also be analyzed in terms of its potential negative consequences or risks: dystopias.
In the case of Interlingua, several dystopian aspects can emerge if this utopia is not handled carefully.

==== Dystopia of Cultural Homogenization and Loss of Diversity ====
A fundamental risk is that the massive success of a universal auxiliary language could:

Eliminate or diminish the importance of local and minority languages, causing an irreversible loss of culture, traditions, and ancestral knowledge.
Lead to cultural homogenization, where the richness of human diversity is impoverished by the domination of a hegemonic language and culture. This aspect is especially relevant for Interlingua because, being based on Romance languages, it can represent a covert form of cultural Eurocentrism.

==== Dystopia of communicative control and surveillance ====
Another dystopia that can be associated, especially in the digital age, is that of totalitarian control of communication:

If a universal language is imposed or monopolized, it could be used as a tool for global surveillance, manipulation, or censorship. Linguistic uniformity would facilitate the standardization and mass monitoring of discourse, eliminating spaces for cultural and critical resistance.
Although Interlingua is an open and voluntary project, its use in a hyperconnected world could be exploited for less altruistic purposes.

==== Dystopia of Failure and Exclusion ====
Finally, there is the dystopia of the failure of the linguistic utopia:

The practical impossibility of Interlingua's widespread adoption or adoption generates exclusion. The persistence of deep language barriers can increase social and political fragmentation, accentuating inequalities and a lack of understanding. In this sense, the linguistic utopia of Interlingua can become a source of frustration and alienation for its proponents.

== Current Situation of the Interlingua Utopia in the 21st Century ==
In the present day, Interlingua remains a marginal yet symbolically powerful project. It represents a rationalist, pacifist, and technocratic utopia of global communication, but its real-world application is limited. Below is a detailed analysis of its current status across different dimensions.

=== Practical Use and Global Reach ===
Interlingua has a small but dedicated community of speakers, mainly in Europe and the Americas. It is used for hobbyist communication, translations, and some educational and scientific content. Unlike English, French, or even Esperanto (which is sometimes used recognition in international meetings and has some legal), Interlingua has no institutional backing or formal recognition by governments or international organizations<ref>https://esperantoporun.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Newsletter55Nov2021.pdf</ref>. It maintains a modest online footprint—there are dictionaries, learning platforms, YouTube content, and online forums. However, its visibility is far eclipsed by English and even Esperanto.

=== Relevance in the Information Society ===
The ideals that motivated Interlingua—global communication, access to knowledge, and linguistic neutrality—are more relevant than ever in today's globalized, hyper-connected world. However English is the default language of science, business, academia, and digital platforms. Around 80% of all online scientific publications are in English.<ref>https://www.academia.edu/32161067/ENGLISH_AS_A_MEANS_OF_SCIENTIFIC_COMMUNICATION_LINGUISTIC_IMPERIALISM_OR_INTERLINGUA</ref>
Machine translation and AI tools (like Google Translate, DeepL, and ChatGPT) are reducing the need for an intermediary universal language. The idea of a constructed linguistic bridge is being replaced by automated multilingualism. Global South languages remain underrepresented, and the Interlingua—despite its intentions—offers little to redress this imbalance because it draws mainly from Western European languages.

=== Cultural and Political Reception ===
While Interlingua was meant to be culturally neutral, critics point out that it reflects a Western European bias, primarily favoring Romance languages and international scientific vocabulary rooted in Latin and Greek. In the 21st century, the ideal of linguistic diversity and plurilingualism has gained more traction than linguistic unification. UNESCO, for example, promotes cultural and linguistic plurality as essential to sustainable development.<ref>https://www.unesco.org/en/multilingualism-linguistic-diversity</ref>

== Philosophical synthesis ==
The utopia of Interlingua is situated at the crossroads between a rationalist and humanist ideal, which believes in reason and science to solve fundamental problems of humanity, such as communication and peace and a multicultural and complex reality, where communication is not only technical, but deeply political and cultural.

In the information society, the utopia of a common language reflects a hope for a more interconnected and understanding world. However, it also highlights the tensions between unity and diversity, homogenization and plurality, control and freedom.

From a critical philosophical perspective, Interlingua exemplifies the dialectic of utopias: every ideal vision contains within itself potential elements for progress, oppression, or failure.

== Conclusion ==
Interlingua, as an international auxiliary language project, represents much more than a grammatical system or a communication tool, it constitutes a comprehensive utopian proposal with deep philosophical, political, and cultural roots. It was born in the 20th century, but draws on a long intellectual tradition that dreams of a world united through language.

In the context of the history of utopias, Interlingua is situated at the confluence of three major currents: the rationalist utopia, which relies on logic and systematic design to improve human life; the cosmopolitan utopia, which aspires to unify humanity under common principles of understanding; and the functional or technical utopia, which seeks to solve a specific problem through effective innovation. Interlingua combines these three elements, it is presented as a technical solution, rationally designed, with the ambition of promoting global brotherhood.

However, like any utopia, Interlingua stands the test of time and reality. In the current context of the information society, where data flows and global interconnectivity have transformed human communication, the linguistic utopia takes on new meanings. The desire for a common language that facilitates global understanding seems more urgent than ever, but also more complex. Translation technologies, the dominance of English as a lingua franca, and the vindication of local and minority languages create a scenario of constant tensions between unification and plurality.

From this perspective, the Interlingua utopia reveals both its lights and its shadows. On the one hand, it remains an inspiring vision: the belief that, beyond cultural differences, human beings can find a common way of speaking, sharing knowledge, resolving conflicts, and building a more peaceful world. On the other hand, it also represents a potential risk of **cultural uniformity**, of making the planet's linguistic richness invisible, and even of becoming, paradoxically, a tool of exclusion or control if used coercively or elitistly.

Interlingua has not been widely adopted, but that does not make it a failure. Rather, it can be seen as a persistent symbol of utopian imagination, of that impulse to imagine alternatives, to experiment with futures, to design other ways of inhabiting the world. In times of fragmentation, war, and polarization, its proposal—albeit modest—reminds us that it is still possible to dream of a common language that is not imposed, but shared; not exclusive, but integrative.

Because ultimately, the true value of utopias lies not in their literal realization, but in their capacity to make us think, to provoke, to mobilize the ethical and political imagination. And in that sense, Interlingua continues to speak to us, even if it is not (yet) in everyone's language.

== References ==