hercxjo:

brianpribis:I used to spend time trying to justify languages I was learning. How many spoke it? How likely was I to use it? I especially wanted to be ready with a rational for people who asked why I was learning it. I finally gave up. I decided to learn because I wanted to and that was it. Not to say there aren't valid "practical" reasons for learning a particular language (job, trips, family, etc), but sometimes you just gotta learn because YOU want to. End of story.

Of course, I don't just pick up a language and say, "hmmm, sounds like fun, I think I'll learn it today". I still want to be able to use the language. For example, I keep plugging away at German because there are a lot of theological books in that language and I want to read those books in their original form. Esperanto? It is unique, has a very cool history and an amazing user base. The atmosphere is so relaxed and enjoyable too. Plus, because it is so new, it's culture is still developing and, at least to me, unlike any culture in the world. That's exciting!

My feeling is if you don't have a vested interest in learning a language, even if you have super practical reasons for learning it, it will be a constant struggle and, in the end, probably useless. If you want to learn it, and you enjoy it and have fun at it, then it can never be useless. Even if you were the only person in the world to speak it.

This is awesome!

I stopped studying Esperanto last summer because I had trouble justifying to myself how useful it is for me. I mean, I don't plan on going to any congresses or club meetings or anything anytime soon. But Esperanto wouldn't be any less useful than Portuguese, a language I started studying in place of EO. I don't plan on going to Portugal or Brazil anytime soon. But I do like the sound of Portuguese, Brazilian music, futebol, etc., and there is a Brazilian expat community here in Japan that I could talk to, if I get an opportunity. So I am enjoying Portuguese, and I don't see it as a waste of time. I like the language; it's fun.

Likewise (and yeah, this is a bit off topic), I'm currently wondering if I should start studying EO again, because it's fun and a cool language.

you make that choice and do it!

Also remember that just because you aren't currently able to travel to Esperanto events, that you won't be able to in the future. And when you have the time/money/inclination/whatever, you want to be in a position where you already speak Esperanto, rather than cramming at the last minute and not getting a lot out of the event.

I learned in high school. I had no particular prospects for using the language at the time, no particular expectation of international travel.

Since then I've used Esperanto to meet people all over the world, partly for Esperanto travel and partly when travelling for another reason, then using Esperanto with speakers that I looked up in the city I was visiting. I wouldn't have imagined at 15 that my life would include that. You never know. Choosing to learn Esperanto was one of the best uses of my time I have ever made.

erinja:Also remember that just because you aren't currently able to travel to Esperanto events, that you won't be able to in the future. And when you have the time/money/inclination/whatever, you want to be in a position where you already speak Esperanto, rather than cramming at the last minute and not getting a lot out of the event.

I learned in high school. I had no particular prospects for using the language at the time, no particular expectation of international travel.

Since then I've used Esperanto to meet people all over the world, partly for Esperanto travel and partly when travelling for another reason, then using Esperanto with speakers that I looked up in the city I was visiting. I wouldn't have imagined at 15 that my life would include that. You never know. Choosing to learn Esperanto was one of the best uses of my time I have ever made.

Thank you, erinja. This is definitely encouraging!