Esperanto and Harry Potter

Sorry -- this isn't what you're thinking. This is not about a new translation. Recently, I reread some of the Harry Potter books and was struck by the similarity between Esperantujo and the wizarding world of Harry Potter. I thought I might play out the analogy a bit to see if it might help non-Esperanto-speakers understand what the Esperanto community is like.

There are an array of surface features in which Esperantujo exists in parallel with regular society in a way that is quite like the wizarding world in Harry Potter. Esperanto-speakers from all walks of life share something that sets them apart from the muggles. When they meet, they share an immediate bond that can transcend race, class, or socioeconomic level. (I'm not saying it always does, but it can).

Esperantists don't have wands or wear robes, although they are given to wearing green stars or having Esperanto-themed -shirts. There are Esperanto events that are as significant to Esperanto speakers as the "world quidditch cup", though they're not as large. And it takes longer to travel to them. There is a whole parallel universe of Esperanto books.

The largest difference is how easy Esperanto is when compared with witchcraft and wizardry. You can become passably fluent in Esperanto with only a few months of serious study. For people who want them, there are OWLs and NEWTs that can be pursued, but many people learn Esperanto through self-study without ever taking a class. I did.

Another striking difference, however, is the response to discovery by the muggle world. "You were *seen*," snarls Snape at Harry and Ron after they travel in the flying car. Esperanto-speakers would be ecstatic. They walk around performing their magic and no-one seems to notice.

Finally, in Esperantujo, in spite of what some might say, I believe we have already defeated our You Know Who and are living happily ever after.