In the
magazine Cromaat A that was published
in January 1918, and which was reserved exclusively for AMORC members, Spencer
Lewis, the founder of AMORC, gave the following information about this
language:
AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE FOR ROSICRUCIANS WITH COMPLETE GRAMMAR AND
DICTIONARY
We are pleased to have this opportunity to give our members
the first text-book of this language. The opportunity has been sought for a long
time, and many have inquired regarding this very desirable adjunct to our work.
Anticipating a question or two which may be asked by some
members, we will say that there are two reasons why this language should be studied
and at least partially mastered by all members.
First, there is no greater step forward in the establishment
and maintenance of an international brotherhood than an agreement in tongue or means
of expression. Universal conception of all laws, universal co-operation in their
use, unity in purpose, unity in mind and unity in expression are the stepping stones
to mystic power and universal brotherhood.
The teachings of our Order and the ties of love and unselfish
service unite us, and the ability to speak with our brothers and sisters in a language
which each may understand (regardless of native tongue) will be the final link in
the chain of unity.
The Second reason for the language is that it enables us to
more privately speak or write upon those matters which are dearest to our hearts.
Not that the language itself when spoken openly and freely in public will not be
understood in parts by some, but when written in our own secret alphabet (hereafter
referred to) or spoken quietly in places, will prevent the uninitiated from comprehending
all that may be passing between Brothers and Sisters of this Order.
THE ORIGIN OF THIS LANGUAGE
The language is an artificial, invented language. Its root
words have been taken from every tongue and in many cases modified, while there
are a few manufactured words.
The need for such a universal language was apparent many years
ago and in 1901 a Delegation for the Adoption of an Auxiliary International Language
was founded in Europe and it eventually succeeded in receiving the adhesion and
support of over three hundred fellowships and brotherhoods of Europe and the approval
of 1250 members of Academies and Universities.
At that time an artificial language called Esperanto and
another called Ro were being considered as international languages for business
purposes. But the language committee of the above named delegation, appointed in
1907 found that Esperanto with its accented letters and strange grammatical rules
was worse than unsatisfactory, while Ro, with its arbitrary roots and difficult
rules was beyond universal use.
Therefore a new language was decided upon and the most eminent
of Europe’s linguist and scientists worked upon a scheme which culminated in the
language now offered to our members.
Esperanto is still in use by firms and individuals doing an
international business or conducting international correspondence, while Ro has
passed into oblivion.
The newer language, which we will hereafter call the Rosaecrucian
Language, is so simple, so easy to master and yet so rich in expression, that it
will become a truly universal language for international communication, —
especially with our Lodge and our members.
THE PRINCIPLES OF THE LANGUAGE
The principles of the language are simple to comprehend, even
by those unfamiliar with the laws of language or the rules of grammar.
There are a certain number of “ Root" words in the dictionary
(which is published in this book) and these words make possible hundreds of
other words by simply adding to the root. For the purpose of adding to the root,
the grammar gives a number of prefixes and suffixes with definite meanings. By adding
a prefix or suffix or both, to any root in the dictionary, a number of different
words can be formed from the same root.
As for the grammar, it is the most simple and easily memorized
of all grammars. There are a few rules or laws which have no exceptions.
These show how any root in the dictionary can be made a noun,
a verb, an adverb or an adjective, by simply adding a final letter to the root.
Thus, after only a ten minutes' study of the grammar one can
take a printed page of the langage and pick out every noun (plural or singular)
every verb, adverb, adjective and even moods and tenses. Certainly this cannot be
said of any other language.
In putting sentences together one should translate the idea
of the sentence rather than try to translate the actual words or phrases; for the
English language contains many idioms which cannot be translated in any language
and convey the proper meaning. Always seek such root words in the dictionary as
come nearest to the word you desire and then add prefix or suffix or both, to make
just the shade of meaning you desire. By memorizing the prepositions given in the
grammar and adding a few root words every day, one can soon speak or write many
phrases without the use of the dictionary.
THE SECRET ALPHABET
The secret Rosaecrucian alphabet referred to in the preceding
paragraphs is NOT the secret R.C. alphabet given to our members in the First Degree
Lectures in our Temples; nor is it the alphabet used in the Second Degree Lectures.
It is an entirely different alphabet used for secret correspondence, especially
in connection with this language, though not solely for that language. This alphabet
will not be published in these monographs, but will be given to each member by the
Master of each Lodge at such time as the Imperator decrees. But that alphabet is
not necessary to the study and mastership of the language and is not necessary to
the writing of it.
THE SECOND DICTIONARY
In the present issue there is one dictionary, containing English
words with the proper R. C. Language root. This will serve all practical purposes
and a very complete lecture or conversation can be carried on with no other roots
than those found in this dictionary.
In another issue we will publish another dictionary, the very
reverse of the present one, giving the R.C. Language root word first with the
equivalent English word after it. This dictionary will serve for translations.
SPEAKING THE LANGUAGE
Our members are urged to begin speaking the simple phrases
to be found at the end of the dictionary. Be sure to read them and memorize
some of them.
In speaking the language, keep in mind that every letter is
pronounced. There are no silent letters. And every letter has always the same sound,
as explained in the grammar. The syllables are made by the consonants,— or in other
words, the syllables of a word are distinguished easily by noting how the word is
composed.
The accent should always be placed on the syllable before
the last.and never on the last letter or syllable. One will find the language not
only easily spoken, but very musical and susceptible of much expression.
In future issues some articles in the language will be published
for practise reading
(p.5-7)
Then in this magazine
there are more than forty pages detailing this fictional language, and those
who want to read them can download this magazine at this link (ver link).
OBSERVATIONS
It is sure that Spencer
Lewis was a publicist before founding AMORC, as he makes a big deal about this
language that he wanted the members of his organization to learn and use.
And it seems very
hypocritical of him that he criticizes Esperanto, when his “Rosicrucian
language” was not at all created by the most eminent linguists and scientists
in Europe (as Lewis claimed) but was based on Esperanto.
But what Spencer Lewis
did not consider is that Americans do not like learning languages, so his
“Rosicrucian language” was not successful. And Spencer Lewis realizing that, he quickly forgot this
language.
CONCLUSION
And this is one more example of the futilities that
Spencer Lewis taught his followers.
No comments:
Post a Comment