Antoni Grabowski
Antoni Grabowski ( born June 11, 1857 in Nowe Dobre at Chelmno, Poland, † July 4, 1921 in Warsaw) was a Polish chemical engineer and former Esperanto activist who primarily for his translations a significant influence on the development of Esperanto literary language took.
Education and work
Soon after his birth the family of Nowe Dobre moves to Thorn ( Toruń ). Due to the poverty of his parents, Antoni must begin to work after graduating from elementary school. Nevertheless, he prepares, driven by a large learning will, all by itself on the entrance exam for high school, which he composed with excellent results. On Thorner School " Nicolaus Copernicus " he is using his knowledge to peers far ahead and is set twice in a higher grade level. 1879 improves the financial situation of the family, after his Abitur examination Grabowski studied philosophy and natural sciences at the University of Breslau. Subsequently, he worked first as a chemical engineer in the internship in Zawiercie and in some places, which now belong to the Czech Republic, and finally as director of a textile factory in Ivanovo- Wosnjesensk 250 km northeast of Moscow.
Meanwhile, he continues his in-depth studies of chemical problems. A variety of inventions and technological innovations make it known among professionals throughout Europe. Grabowski is appointed to the Commission, which is charged with developing the Polish technical terminology. Some years later, in 1906, his " Słownik chemiczny ", the first Polish chemistry dictionary appears.
Esperanto and Literature
During his time at university developed Antoni Grabowski a deep interest in literature. He is a member of the literary- Slavic Society ( Towarzystwo Literacko - Słowianskie ). But the commitment Grabowski no means limited to the Polish language and literature; gradually he learned a considerable number of languages and is a true polyglot. Later he will speak his mother tongue nine other languages and use at least 15 more passive. Against this background it is not surprising that the student Grabowski also interested in the idea of an international language.
Claimed this role at this time Volapük, so it learns Grabowski. However, when he Johann Martin Schleyer, the author of this language project visits, shows that Schleyer is not able to speak fluently Volapük. Both eventually converse in German. After this disappointment Grabowski are dealing with Volapük on, but not the idea of an international planned language.
In 1887 he studied the notice published in the same year brochure " Dr. Esperanto. International language. Preface and complete textbook " Ludwik Zamenhof of, in this speech introducing his project, which is going under the name" will be known Esperanto ". Grabowski is impressed by the transparent structure of Esperanto and of the in this language amazingly quickly to be acquired powers of expression. He travels to Warsaw, Zamenhof visited and the result is the first oral conversation in Esperanto.
Just as Zamenhof himself Grabowski of importance is aware of what has the literature for the development of languages and especially for those of Esperanto, which was then just prepares the way from the language project to tread down to a fully functional language in all spheres of life.
In this sense, Grabowski will soon be active; 1888 appears in his translation of " The Snow Storm " by Alexander Pushkin, 1889 followed by " The Siblings " by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, to name only the first publications.
Early 1890s is Grabowski dissatisfied with the slowness with which Esperanto spreads and because he assumes that the reasons lie in the imperfections of language, it calls for reforms. For the vote, which takes place in 1894, however, he voted against reforms and considers the future of the basics of the language, the Fundamento de Esperanto so-called fixed.
Grabowski is a long -standing chairman of the Esperanto Society founded in 1904 in Warsaw and from it emerged in 1908 Polish Esperanto Society. Since the same year, he is director of the grammar section of the Academy of Esperanto. He publishes articles and gives lectures about Esperanto and organizes language courses.
In the years 1908-1914 Grabowski conducts the first Esperanto courses at ( some Warsaw ) schools. In 1908 he describes in an article the particular suitability of Esperanto as an introduction ( propaedeutic ) in language teaching. He shows concrete examples to what extent of previous teaching of Esperanto learning success in the French and Latin lessons increased ( a finding not entirely inconceivable that appears to the public of the time ).
The 1913 published anthology "From the Parnassus of peoples" includes 116 poems, representing 30 languages and cultures. Six of the poems were written in Esperanto, translated, 110.
The events of World War Grabowski is separated from his refuge in Russia family members. Sick and lonely, he will remain in Warsaw. In this situation, he translated the Polish national epic " Pan Tadeusz " ( "Pan Tadeusz " ) by Adam Mickiewicz. As part of its precise and conformal translation he tried latent potentials of the plan language and are thus the further development of Esperanto-speaking poetry important impulses.
The now chronic heart patient can not afford appropriate medical treatment. He lives in an oppressive financial hardship. When his family returned after the war, he is physically almost emaciated. Nevertheless, he continues his work for Esperanto unwaveringly until he dies in 1921 after a heart attack.