It sometimes happens that a word, apparently consisting of a root and an affix, is itself a root. For example, in the word tornistro, a knapsack, ist is not a suffix denoting occupation, but a part of the root tornistr.
Another thing for the beginner to remember is that in Esperanto words often cannot be translated literally, that which is needed is an exact translation of the underlying idea which different nations often render in varying ways. For instance, the Frenchman says, I have hunger, the English and Germans, I am hungry. The Englishman says, How do you do?, the German, How do you find yourself?, the Frenchman, How do you carry yourself?, yet all mean the same thing, Kiel vi fartas?
Finally, I hope no one will suppose that in these two stories I have included every possible difficulty. If necessary, this little Reader will be No.1 of a series.
I take here the opportunity of thanking M. de Beaufront, the Messrs. Hachette, R. Van Melckebeke, Capt. Cape, and others for permission to reprint, and also the kind friends who have advised and helped me in the preparation of this First Reader. |
