Baza (also known as Inter-esperanto) is a proposal to limit Esperanto to a vocabulary of about 450 words as an interlanguage between the various esperantidos.

Overview

Baza is a simple, international language with the following functions:

Baza is an International auxiliary language, used as a second, neutral language for world communication.

Baza, also known as Inter-esperanto, functions as a simple, basic language that can unite the speaking communities of Esperanto, Ido, Mondlango, and other Esperanto derived lanuages.

Although a language in itself, Baza can also simple be a stepping stone language, learned prior to studying traditional Esperanto, Ido, Mondlango, and other Esperanto-based language systems.

Baza derives its vocabulary and grammar from Esperanto, but begins by greatly reducing the number of core words and simplifying the grammar, making it more universal in nature to the entire family of Esperanto-inspired languages. Upon learning the basics of Baza, one can communicate with millions of people around the world, who currently speak Esperanto, Ido, or another form of reformed Esperanto.

The basic rules of Baza are as follows:

The personal pronouns shall be: mi, vi, li, ŝi, ĝi, si, ni, ili, oni (I, you, he, she, it, self, we, they, one). Possessive pronouns are formed by adding a to these.

Simple questions (requiring ‘yes/no’ reponse) will be formed simply by adding “Jes” or “No” at the end of the sentense, and adding a question mark. “Vi amas mi, jes?”

The Suffix -n is not required to indicate which noun is the object of the verb. Rather, a word order sequence of Subject-Verb-Object will serve this function. However, well established words may retain the n in common usage, such as, “Bonon tagon”.

Plural forms of words will end in ‘j’.

The basic cardinal numerals (ala, “one, two, three, four”), which do not vary for case, are unu, du, tri, kvar, kvin, ses, sep, ok, naŭ, dek, cent, mil.

There is no indefinite article; there is only one definite article, “la”.

Adjectives are created by adding “a” to the root, and adverbs are created by adding “e” to the root word. These do not have to agree with the direct object.

Verb endings will be ‘as’ (present), ‘is’ (past), and ‘os’ (future).

Every word is spelled phonetically.

In linguistic philosophy, Baza is not so much concerned with addition as it is with subtraction. In Baza, vocabulary is intentionally reduced to certain core words. When communicating in Baza, one must submit to the discipline of using only the prescribed vocabulary to express communicative intent. In some languages, using many words is a sign of sophistication. In Baza, the reverse is true.

Alphabet

<center>A B C Ĉ D E F G Ĝ H Ĥ I J Ĵ K L M N O P R S Ŝ T U Ŭ V Z<br />
a b c ĉ d e f g ĝ h ĥ i j ĵ k l m n o p r s ŝ t u ŭ v z</center>

The consonants are pronounced similar to standard English. Exceptions are as follows:

c ts as in dance (pronounce the ‘t’ and then the ‘c’),

ĉ ch as in chop,

g 'hard' g as in go,

ĝ 'soft' g as in George,

ĥ ch in Scottish loch,

j y as in yam,

ĵ is like s in pleasure,

s always like s in sip,

ŝ sh as in shell,

ŭ w as in west.

Note: Preferably, the letter ‘r’ is not rolled in Baza. However, it may be lightly flapped, if desired.

Combination sounds are as follows:

aj - like y in sky,

ej - like ay in day,

oj - like oy in boy,

uj - like ouy in bouy (but as one syllable),

aŭ - like ow in cow,

eŭ - say “eh” and “w” as one syllable.

See also

Basic English

External links

Official site

Langmaker profile