danielcg:You will think I'm crazy, but I just can't use Esperanto as a cryptic language. I figure Zamenhof would revolve in his tomb if he knew his wonderful creation was being used to hinder understanding instead of fostering it.

Nevertheless, this idea could work to make a boy interested in Esperanto.

Regards,

Daniel

Miland:

Polaris:Make it your "special, secret language" between you and him.

I had a friend in college whose Spanish was uncommonly good for a non-native. He joined the Hispanic fraternity, hung out with Mexican friends, and used Spanish quite fluently. When I asked him how he learned, he explained that he and his brothers learned Spanish just so they could use it at home and talk in front of their parents without their parents understanding. I guess it worked! If I had been their daddy, I would have become bilingual AWFULLY fast, though.

Ha ha, he must of figured something like this would happen eventually though, he himself was once a 7 year old boy I presume? (maybe the truth is that he himself used it as a secret language - ooh this could be a wonderful conspiracy!)

Nonetheless it is working to some extent, we now have 'AVERTO - IRU FOR!' on his door

danielcg:You will think I'm crazy, but I just can't use Esperanto as a cryptic language. I figure Zamenhof would revolve in his tomb if he knew his wonderful creation was being used to hinder understanding instead of fostering it.

Nevertheless, this idea could work to make a boy interested in Esperanto.

Regards,

Daniel

Miland:

Polaris:Make it your "special, secret language" between you and him.

Oh and don't worry about about dad, Polaris, he's aware of most of it - I don't think he cares any less what language it's in though, he might be clueless about some things but he knows when we're plotting to raid the cookie jar...

ceigered:How do you get a grumpy 7 year old to learn Esperanto? I've been trying to get my brother interested, but its not exactly the easiest thing to do... Especially when you consider that he's an absolute genius (he finished Call of Duty in two days, first FPS he's ever played), he's reluctant to do anything that might bore him.

Any advice?

Translate his videogames to Esperanto?

I started learning english playing adventure games and RPGs where the conversations are important.(I played the games with a dictionary in a hand and the keyboard in the other. Then I realized that I had played other games in French and Italian before that. )

I once began to translate some classic strategy videogames to the Esperanto, but I did not finish the translations because nobody wanted to help me with the proofreading.

I did the same thing, I play Burnout 3 on Playstation 2 and select 'Swedish' as the game language, and I use to do it with Sonic the Hedgehog in Japanese but I didn't know any kanji (e.g. 私、愛、の) .

I've thought about doing that with games, but I'm not sure how to go around it considering this kid plays mostly on consoles rather than on computer. I think I might be able to translate Age of Empires II if I get my hands on the right tools, but I assume that it would take a while. Great idea though Fajro, I might adapt that idea. I've made a few Flash games which would be easy to translate.

ceigered:Oh and don't worry about about dad, Polaris, he's aware of most of it - I don't think he cares any less what language it's in though, he might be clueless about some things but he knows when we're plotting to raid the cookie jar...

Oh, I'm not---besides, teaching your little Bro. how to "manage" your parents is just part of being a cool big brother.

But along the way, don't be surprised if Dad doesn't develop an acute interest in Esperanto...perhaps on the sly. I know I would if I were he!

Well if that happens there's always plan b: "Rapide! Ŝanĝu el Esperanto al Volapuko!"

That would really give the phrase "Tio estas volapukaĵo por mi" some relevance.

On a side note, I've heard that Baden Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts' movement, wrote in one of his guide books "If you want to have a secret language with your troop, consider learning Esperanto." or something like that.

Rogir:Baden Powell wrote.."..consider learning Esperanto.."

Here's a wiki reference. Interesting that the passage was left out of 'later' editions of Scouting for Boys. Perhaps Esperanto had become 'politically incorrect' by then?

Miland:

Rogir:Baden Powell wrote.."..consider learning Esperanto.."

Here's a wiki reference. Interesting that the passage was left out of 'later' editions of Scouting for Boys. Perhaps Esperanto had become 'politically incorrect' by then?

Dunno, could be that the concept of having a secret language became politically incorrect. I like the Skolta Esperanto Ligo logo, they should put two of those fingers down though then they'd have the 'Great Aussie Salute' as my mum calls it ha ha.