international language

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international language

artificial language

Also known as: constructed language, universal language

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

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An artificial language is one created by an individual or group for a specific purpose, such as international communication, rather than being a naturally evolved language used as a native tongue. An international auxiliary language is a type of artificial language intended for use as a global second language.123

Esperanto, developed in 1887 by L.L. Zamenhof, is a well-known example. It draws roots from European languages, particularly Romance languages, making it relatively easy for Europeans to learn. Esperanto features phonetic spelling, a simple and regular grammar with distinct endings for word types, and no grammatical gender. It has a single definite article, "la," and no indefinite article. Verbs are regular and do not change based on person or number. Esperanto also utilizes a system of suffixes and compound words to create new meanings.3

Despite attempts to create such languages, they have not achieved widespread adoption, though an international society of Esperanto speakers does exist.4

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history of logic
Leibniz
…devising what he called a “universally characteristic language” (lingua characteristica universalis) that would, first, notationally represent concepts by displaying the more basic concepts of which they were composed, and second, naturally represent (in the manner of graphs or pictures, “iconically”) the concept in a way that could be easily grasped…
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…devising what he called a “universally characteristic language” (lingua characteristica universalis) that would, first, notationally represent concepts by displaying the more basic concepts of which they were composed, and second, naturally represent (in the manner of graphs or pictures, “iconically”) the concept in a way that could be easily grasped…
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numerals and numeral systems
The Hindu-Arabic system
…the nearest approach to a universal human language yet devised; they are found in Chinese, Japanese, and Russian scientific journals and in every Western language. (However, see the table for some other modern numeral systems.)
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…the nearest approach to a universal human language yet devised; they are found in Chinese, Japanese, and Russian scientific journals and in every Western language. (However, see the table for some other modern numeral systems.)
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language
Second-language learning
…one language is chosen for international purposes when users of several different languages are involved. In the Roman Empire, broadly, the western half used Latin as a lingua franca, and the eastern half used Greek. In western Europe during the Middle Ages, Latin continued as the international language of educated…
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…one language is chosen for international purposes when users of several different languages are involved. In the Roman Empire, broadly, the western half used Latin as a lingua franca, and the eastern half used Greek. In western Europe during the Middle Ages, Latin continued as the international language of educated…
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Rudolf Carnap
Career in the United States of Rudolf Carnap
…artificial languages included advocacy of international auxiliary languages such as Esperanto and Interlingua to facilitate scholarly communication and to further international understanding.
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…artificial languages included advocacy of international auxiliary languages such as Esperanto and Interlingua to facilitate scholarly communication and to further international understanding.
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