Everyone's Own Language: A Guide to the International Language Known as Esperanto by Maire Mullarney (Nitobe Press, £4.50)

Esperanto, the invented language that belongs to no country, has long had detractors and admirers

Esperanto, the invented language that belongs to no country, has long had detractors and admirers. It dates from 1887, and since it is a language with no native speakers, homeland, or associated culture, people argue that it's sterile. Others see it as a method of international communication. Everyone's Own Language was first published a decade ago, and this reissue includes some new appendices. The book is part autobiography, part text-book. Maire Mullarney tells the story of Esperanto through her own experiences with it, and each chapter ends with a vocabulary. Appendices include a bibliography, a list of study aids and lists of Esperanto associations worldwide.

Rosita Boland

Rosita Boland

Rosita Boland is Senior Features Writer with The Irish Times. She was named NewsBrands Ireland Journalist of the Year for 2018