All the following letters are from the archive of Giuseppe Peano, Italian mathematician and linguist. He was elected as the director of the Akademi Internasional de Lingu Universal in 1908 after the directorships of Waldemar Rosenberger and M. A. F. Holmes. These letters are written for the most part by Rosenberger himself between 1907 and 1912. They generally concern the affairs of the Academy and linguistic questions related to the evolution of the Academy's language. One will also find letters written in a reformed Idiom Neutral, the final form of which was published by Rosenberger in 1912 and named Reform-Neutral.
In the following texts, red letters indicate that the author themselves has added a note to the text. On the other hand, blue numbers indicate notes which I have added for clarification. There are, without a doubt, errors in the transcribed texts; I will correct them whenever possible.
NB: In his letters, Rosenberger writes two dates: the first according the Julian calendar (used in Russia) and the second according to today's Gregorian calendar. Russia officially introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1918.
Omni letri sekuant es eks arkiv de Giuseppe Peano, matematiker e linguist itali. Il esav selekted kuale direktor de Akademi Internasional de Lingu Universal in 1908 po direktoradi de Waldemar Rosenberger e M. A. F. Holmes. Ist letri es skribed grandpartie per Rosenberger aut intr anui 1907 e 1912. Ili konsern generale aferi de Akademi e kuestioni linguistikal relativu evolusion de lingu de Akademi. On truvero et letri skribed in Idiom Neutral reformed, form final de kel esav publiked 1912 per Rosenberger e nomed „Reform-Neutral”.
In teksti sekuant, literi rub indik, ke autor aut av adyunkted not a tekst. Otrflanke, numri blu indik, ke mi av adyunkted noti a tekst pro klarifikasion. Sine dubi, erori eksist in teksti deskribed; mi korigero ili sekuantu posiblitet.
NB: In sue letri, Rosenberger skrib du dati: dat prim sekuantu kalendar yulian (used in Rusia) e dat sekund sekuantu kalendar gregorian sitempik. Rusia introdukav kalendar gregorian in anu 1918.
4 January: W. Bonto van Bÿlevelt responds to an article on simplified Latin, expressing gratitude but highlighting that such a language is not practical for many modern professionals. He suggests considering "Idiom Neutral" as a more accessible solution and invites collaboration for its improvement.
2 July: W. Bonto van Bÿlevelt apologizes to Peano for the delay in responding, citing health issues and frustration with the inactivity and authoritarian behavior of fellow neutralists. He expresses interest in starting an independent journal for universal language projects if he finds collaborators and funding, and mentions he is currently writing on other topics in Dutch workers' journals.
31 July: W. Bonto van Bÿlevelt shares an article with Peano intended to introduce "Idei International" and asks for his feedback, noting some phrases are inspired by Peano's work. He also seeks advice on a simple method for transcribing Russian characters for potential use in a journal.
30 November: Rosenberger informs Peano that the term of the current director of the International Academy of the Universal Language will end in May 1908 and asks if Peano would consider accepting a nomination for the position. He emphasizes the Academy's independence in its work and sends the statutes for Peano's review, expressing hope for a positive response.
11 December: Rosenberger expresses gratitude to Peano for not declining a potential election as Director of the International Academy of the Universal Language. He reassures Peano that his concerns about lacking the necessary qualities and time are unfounded, as most of the dictionary work is complete and he would have support from a vice director and secretaries. Rosenberger urges Peano to accept the position and expresses his personal preference for him over another candidate.
18 January: Rosenberger congratulates Peano on his election as Director of the International Academy of the Universal Language and extends New Year wishes. He mentions having sent a previous congratulatory letter with some questions on November 21, to which he has not received a response, and offers to resend it if needed. Rosenberger also informs Peano that he has stopped publishing the journal Progres and suggests Peano might use the name for the Academy’s journal.
25 January: Rosenberger repeats the content of a previous postcard sent on December 11, 1907, where he encouraged Peano to accept the position of Director of the International Academy of the Universal Language, addressing Peano's concerns about his qualifications and workload. Since he has not received a response, Rosenberger includes a copy of the original message and requests an immediate reply, hoping for a positive one. He also provides an addressed postcard for Peano’s convenience.
1 April: Rosenberger requests Peano to send his curriculum vitae and inquires in which language Peano plans to issue circulars to Academy members as director, expressing hope that he will use Idiom Neutral for the time being.
14 April: Rosenberger reminds Peano of his previous request for his curriculum vitae and information on the language he plans to use for Academy circulars, prompted by another member's inquiry. Not having received a reply, Rosenberger urges a prompt response, noting that the election process for a director takes a long time, especially with the current director being in America.
1 September: Rosenberger informs Peano, currently in Heidelberg, that the latest circular (No. 93) from the International Academy of the Universal Language’s director, dated May 11, proposes Peano as the sole candidate for the next director. Although the official election results are not yet received, Rosenberger shares that all academicians he has corresponded with are pleased Peano did not decline the nomination. He hopes that the Academy’s work will progress faster under Peano’s leadership and sends the circular and a journal issue to Heidelberg.
16 September: Rosenberger responds to Peano's draft for the new statutes of the “Academia pro Lingua inter Nationes,” expressing overall support but raising concerns about the legalities of changing the statutes, which can only be done through an international congress. He suggests that rather than founding a new academy, they should work within the existing statutes and make necessary adjustments through additional regulations (Regulativi). Rosenberger also advises against changing the Academy's name or the director's term and proposes enhancing the role of supporters for the Academy’s activities, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the existing framework while allowing flexibility for practical improvements.
11 October: Rosenberger responds to Peano’s recent correspondence regarding proposed changes to the statutes of the International Academy of the Universal Language. While expressing his support for revitalizing the Academy under Peano's leadership, Rosenberger advises caution against making major statutory changes without the approval of an international congress. He suggests instead revising the existing regulations (Regulativi) to accommodate Peano's ideas, ensuring they align with the current framework. Rosenberger also discusses the potential restructuring of the Academy’s membership and supports the continuation of Idiom Neutral as the official language for internal communications. He concludes by acknowledging a proposal to merge the journals Progres, Idei internasional, and Korespondens Internasional, and defers the decision to Peano as the future director.
7 November: Rosenberger thanks Peano for his postcard and clarifies his correct address. He is pleased that Peano and Mr. Monseur have found a way to preserve the Academy’s statutes and supports the proposed membership categories. Rosenberger expresses frustration with the current director, Mr. Holmes, for not effectively communicating the reasons behind declined nominations for the director position, and he hopes that Peano will bring more dedication to the role. He mentions writing to the Academy’s secretary to inquire about the delay in announcing Peano’s election.
11 November: Rosenberger informs Peano that the official announcement of his election as director of the International Academy has not yet been made but is expected soon. He shares a letter from Couturat suggesting a possible collaboration or merger between the Academy and the Délégation, which aims to perfect an international language. Rosenberger supports this idea and believes it would benefit both institutions. He suggests that members of both organizations could join each other’s institutions. He also mentions Bonto's proposal to merge three journals and asks Peano about his plans for the Academy's journal and the collaboration with Couturat.
4 December: Rosenberger informs Peano that he received a postcard from Dr. E. M. Earle confirming Peano’s election as the new director of the International Academy, likely unanimously, with the official announcement pending. Rosenberger expresses hope for a productive and peaceful tenure under Peano’s leadership and is pleased with the ongoing discussions between Peano and Couturat about a potential merger of the two academies. He asks for Peano’s guidance on the future of Progres and its potential merger with the Academy’s journal, as well as decisions regarding membership contributions and the roles of secretary and editor.
25 February: Rosenberger thanks Peano for the mention in his first circular but believes it was too generous, crediting A. Liptay as the first to advocate for a universal language. He declines the role of editing a large journal, suggesting Mr. de Wahl might take on the task. Rosenberger expresses regret over the Academy’s name change, believes in retaining a good name, and notes his surprise that Peano's circulars were in Latino sine flexione instead of Idiom Neutral, despite his earlier offer to help with the latter. He inquires about the outcome of Peano’s discussions with Couturat regarding the merger of the Academies and suggests a suitable name for the Academy’s journal.
21 March (written in a reformed Idiom Neutral): Rosenberger expresses his difficulty in making decisions about publishing the Academy's large journal due to insufficient information on various matters, including whether Bonto can serve as editor and the outcome of Peano's correspondence with Couturat regarding merging the two academies. He suggests a modest, non-periodic publication called “Acti de Academia,” which would include both administrative and linguistic sections, with articles contributed by members. Rosenberger outlines a budget proposal for the journal and describes roles for key figures, such as the editor and treasurer. He also addresses the payment contributions of Academy members and the need for a secretary and treasurer to be appointed soon. He concludes by sharing his concerns about several Academy members and urges Peano to prioritize organizing the Academy’s structure and publishing efforts.
27 March: Rosenberger expresses joy at the news that the International Academy of the Universal Language will resume its work and looks forward to receiving Peano’s Vocabulario. He appreciates the appointment of G. Pagliano as the new secretary-treasurer and shares feedback from Mr. de Wahl on the Academy's proposed budget and journal. De Wahl supports a nonperiodic journal but emphasizes the need for public engagement and suggests careful consideration of expenses. Rosenberger updates Peano on printing costs and awaits further instructions. He also sends a collection of his previous circulars to Peano.
2 April: Rosenberger expresses gratitude to Peano for his generous donation of 200 francs to the Academy of the Universal Language, inspired by Mr. Wahl's example. However, Rosenberger apologizes for not being able to contribute financially due to his recent retirement and reduced income. He suggests starting a more modest journal if they can raise 1,000 francs. He also thanks Peano for the "Vocabulario commun" and requests the return of letters from Wahl and Molenaar.
1 May: Rosenberger acknowledges receiving Peano's postcard and circular №26. He expresses satisfaction that the financial issues for the Academy’s journal have been resolved and inquires about the benefactor who made it possible. He agrees to be re-elected as vicedirector and suggests Rev. M. A. F. Holmes as a candidate for the position. He supports two proposals from circular 96 and is considering the third. Rosenberger also mentions that he will soon contribute a sum to the Academy’s funds and asks about the conditions for publishing articles in the Academy's journal.
13 May: Rosenberger returns several letters to Peano and disagrees with Couturat’s claim that his Academy has more authority than theirs, emphasizing that both are private academies founded by linguists. He argues that their Academy’s focus should be on finding the best form of an artificial language, rather than promoting one prematurely, and criticizes the promotion of “Ido” and the creation of a large society around it. Rosenberger also mentions sending the Academy’s funds to the new treasurer, G. Pagliero.
27 May: Rosenberger provides feedback on Peano's article for the Academy’s journal, clarifying historical details about the term “Weltspracheakademie” and the adoption of Idiom Neutral. He questions the source of funding for a proposed competition and suggests clarity on membership fees, proposing different rates for corresponding members and subscribers. Rosenberger expresses disagreement with making Academy members cover potential journal deficits and recommends Mr. J. Meysmans for membership, noting a possible issue with the quota of Belgian members. He agrees to promote the journal in Russia and Germany and plans to contribute an article. He also shares his upcoming travel plans to Switzerland and requests Peano’s portrait.
23 June: Rosenberger apologizes to Peano for the delay in responding due to his recent stay at a sanatorium for health reasons. He expresses gratitude for being re-elected as vicedirector and discusses potential collaborators for the Academy's journal, advising caution with Mr. Bernhaupt’s membership. Rosenberger agrees to translate Peano's propositions into Idiom Neutral but notes it will take time. He mentions that the Academy's rules may now accommodate Mr. Molenaar's participation and clarifies membership quotas for Belgium. He critiques Latino sine flexione for its complexity compared to Idiom Neutral and suggests changing the response time for Academy communications to 30 days. Finally, he commits to working on the translation and promises further contributions to the journal.
4 July: Rosenberger sends Prof. Peano a translation of his examples from the Vocabulario into Idiom Neutral and reformed Idiom Neutral, as promised (see the attached letter of 4 July). He provides his current address and requests advance notice if Peano plans to visit Switzerland to ensure they can meet. He closes with warm regards and hope for a future meeting.
9 July: Rosenberger responds to Peano's letter by questioning the necessity of final vowels in words like "figura" and "forma," which he believes add unnecessary complexity. He suggests changes to the pronunciation guide for sibilant letters in Peano's Vocabulario and requests modifications to the tables before printing. Rosenberger also expresses confusion about certain phrases in Peano’s previous letter and clarifies his support for changing the term "membr aksioner" to "membr korespondent," recommending that Peano proceed with the change subject to Academy approval.
5 September: Rosenberger informs Peano of his return home and acknowledges receipt of Peano’s letters, including the returned article on “capricious consonants.” He expresses support for the nominations of Korselt, Padoa, and Meysmans as members of the Academy and intends to engage more members, despite current health issues and other obligations. Rosenberger mentions his critique of Ido in the latest issue of Progres and regrets being unable to compile a vocabulary common to Russian and French.
22 September: Rosenberger sends an article for the second issue of Discussiones, apologizing for the delay due to health issues and hoping it is not too late for publication. He requests to see any corrections made to his article. He also mentions writing to Mr. Pagliero about selling previous circulars to a library in Frankfurt and updates Peano on two new corresponding members and one subscriber.
24 October: Rosenberger informs Peano that the Rothschild Library in Frankfurt has declined to purchase the Academy’s circulars and Discussiones, finding them too expensive at 6 and 10 francs respectively. He notes that many consider the price of Discussiones too high compared to other publications like Progreso.
13 November (written in a reformed Idiom Neutral): Rosenberger thanks Peano for his recent correspondence and circular but regrets not receiving issue №2 of Discussiones, which he needed for a lecture on artificial languages at the St. Petersburg Polytechnical Society. Despite this, his lecture was successful, and the society decided to become a corresponding member of the Academy. He also mentions a new corresponding member, E. Illing, and requests Discussiones be sent to him. Rosenberger encourages Peano not to abandon the Academy at this crucial time and discusses membership changes, suggesting Jens Bayer as a replacement if needed.
6 January: the St. Petersburg group "Grup Neutralist" acknowledges Peano's approval to publish their notices in the Academy's journal Diskussiones but explains their decision to keep the name "Grup Neutralist" instead of adopting Peano's suggested name, “Sosietet de Lingu Universal” or “Akademi de L. U. seksion de S. Petersburg.” They clarify that the chosen name honors the Academy’s long-standing work on the Universal Language, Idiom Neutral. The group also expresses disappointment that the Academy’s communications and Diskussiones are not published in Idiom Neutral and instead use "Latine sine Flexione," which they find less understandable.
2 February (written in a reformed Idiom Neutral): Rosenberger informs Peano that he is sending a copy of the St Petersburger Zeitung containing a report on his recent lecture at the Society of Female Teachers in St. Petersburg, which has now become a corresponding member of the Academy. He has received 10 francs for a subscription to Discussiones and will provide a financial account update to Mr. Pagliero after processing some journals.
27 February: Rosenberger urgently requests Peano to return his draft of the grammar, sent on January 16, 1910, as he needs it to make a decision about editing issue №4 of Discussiones.
29 April: Rosenberger thanks Peano for his postcard but mentions that part of it is unreadable and thus unclear. He reiterates his offer to help with Discussiones, stating he has only received corrections for “Propositiones in discussione” and not for issue №4. He expresses confusion over certain phrases in Peano's correspondence and clarifies his stance on the use of the plural suffix “-i”. Rosenberger confirms his intent to provide copies of his Idiom Neutral dictionary to new academicians and requests to be relieved from his role as vicedirector. He also suggests that active members should receive all circulars for free and asks for guidance on this matter.
29 April: Rosenberger expresses his admiration for the new energy Peano has brought to the Academy by attracting many collaborators. Feeling that he can no longer contribute effectively, he requests to be relieved of his duties as vicedirector as of July 29, 1910, after serving for 11 years. He wishes the Academy continued success and vitality.
18 May: Rosenberger responds to Peano, clarifying that he has not published any articles in Russian journals, only a report in German for the St. Petersburg Polytechnical Society. Rosenberger reiterates his refusal to edit issue №4 of Discussiones but offers help with corrections. He criticizes the voting process on certain proposals and insists on following official procedures. He also refuses to send his dictionary to corresponding members and emphasizes the need to handle financial matters properly. He requests communication with a member, K. Lentze, who hasn't received recent circulars, and seeks clarity on the decision for a counterproposal he submitted.
6 June: Rosenberger reaffirms his decision to resign as vicedirector of the Academy effective July 29, 1910, and asks Peano to find a replacement and publish his resignation letter from April 29. He denies being the editor of issue №4 of Discussiones, contrary to what was stated in issue №3, and requests a correction. Rosenberger also expresses disappointment that Peano did not fully announce the Academy's publications in Idiom Neutral as previously indicated. He provides his address in Pernau, Livonia, Russia, for future correspondence.
21 June: Rosenberger provides his votes and comments on propositions from circular №102, highlighting that his counterproposals and reasons for certain items were omitted or not considered, specifically concerning the acceptance of variants and the suppression of "grammatica minima." He reiterates his support for members Levi-Civita and Macfarlane and provides detailed feedback on specific grammatical rules, including the use of articles, gender, and verb forms. Rosenberger asks for clarification on why his previous inputs were ignored and requests that his voting be published in the next circular.
1 January: Rosenberger clarifies to Peano that he is not a member of the new Academy established on July 18, 1910. He states that he was a member of the original International Academy of the Universal Language founded on August 9, 1887, until August 20, 1909, but has never been part of the newly constituted society, which has only been in existence for a year and a half.