‘MOST people think we’re eccentrics or into naturism,” says Trevor Simpson, a member of the Bournemouth Esperanto Group.

He believes that young Esperanto speakers are needed to boost the language locally.

In Esperanto, “Can you point me to the surf reef?” is “Cu ni montras al mi la surfejon?”

There are at least two million fluent speakers of Esperanto, which uses words stemming from a variety of European languages. Esperanto is not of any country or ethnic group, but is a neutral, international language that was first proposed in the 1880s by Dr Ludwig Lazar Zamenhof.

Within a few years, people started learning it and formed a worldwide community. Since then, it has been in use just like any other language, particularly by people who like to travel.

“We’re trying hard to find new members to join the Bournemouth Esperanto Group.

“I’m a young 67 and the youngest of four members that meet on the second Friday of every month,” says Trevor.

“I was a little boy in the 1950s and started learning Esperanto out of curiosity. It tends to attract the intelligentsia, as it’s a language that is logical.”

According to Trevor Simpson, there is a rich heritage of Esperanto speakers from the area, including Lord Baden-Powell, who started the Boy Scout movement on Brownsea Island, and Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien, who lived in Poole during the 1960s.

“Lord Baden-Powell wanted every boy and girl to learn Esperanto and JRR Tolkien was known to use the language.”

So why has Esperanto not become the international second language of the world?

“It started with enthusiasm in the early 20th century but was then impeded by the First World War. After that it was again hampered by war, this time by Nazi Germany who took a dislike to its Jewish creator, Dr Zamenhof.”

“Languages are very nationalistic and the world would be a better place if everyone learned Esperanto. It saves a lot of misunderstanding and can foster friendships.

“Only last month I had a young couple from Spain who visited me for a chat in Esperanto.”

If you are interested in joining the Bournemouth Esperanto Group, contact Trevor Simpson on 01425 278645.