The Centre For Research and Documentation on World Language Problems (CED)
Photo by: Jakub Certowicz
The Centre for Research and Documentation on the World Language Problem (CED) was established in 1952 to advance scholarly research on Esperanto “and its multifaceted applications in all spheres of life”; to ensure the compilation and editing of reliable documentation on Esperanto; and to support efforts to present the facts about Esperanto to international organisations, scholarly and specialist associations, and wider publics. Originally, then, CED was conceived as a specialist organisation in support of the worldwide Esperanto movement under the umbrella of the Universal Esperanto Association (UEA).
Gradually, CED’s activities and goals expanded. It also adapted its name to avoid the possible misperception that there is only one “language problem” in the world; it is now called the Centre for Research and Documentation on World Language Problems. Although still formally linked to UEA, its work has long responded to the priorities and initiatives of researchers in the fields of interlinguistics and linguistic justice, rather than to the needs of UEA. Esperanto remains CED’s main working language; for various purposes related to research and documentation, CED has long also used English, French and other languages.
Board of Directors
Konsilantaro
Xavier Alcalde
Bașak Aray
Christopher Gledhill
Grant Goodall
Kimura Goro
Jorge Antonio Leoni de León
Alessandra Madella
Ida Stria
Bernhard Tuider
Bengt-Arne Wickström
Associated Researchers
Historio de CED
1952: CED is founded
Then called the Centre for Research and Documentation on the World Language Problem, CED was founded by Ivo Lapenna as a department of the Universal Esperanto Association. CED later changed its to Centre for Research and Documentation on World Language Problems, to avoid the possible misperception that there is only one “language problem” in the world.
1969: The journal LPLP is founded
The journal La Monda Lingvo-Problemo is founded. It was later (from 1980) renamed Language Problems and Language Planning (LPLP), which would become one of the most well-known journals in the fields of language policy and planning.
1974: Newsletter for Interlinguists appears
Ulrich Lins begins publishing the Newsletter for Interlinguists as an effort to bring together information for experts in interlinguistics and Esperanto studies. It would later become Information for Interlinguists (IfI).
1978: The first Conference on Esperanto Studies takes place
Detlev Blanke establishes the tradition of holding a Conference on Esperanto Studies as part of the annual Universal Congress of Esperanto.
1987: Terminological Esperanto Centre is founded
Eugen Wüster founds the Terminological Esperanto Centre to support the development of specialist terminology in Esperanto.
1996: The first Nitobe Symposium takes place
Mark Fettes organises the first Nitobe Symposium within the Universal Congress of Esperanto in Prague, stimulating debates on language policy amongst Esperanto speakers, researchers, government officials and language activists.
1999: Esperantologio / Esperanto Studies reappears
Christer Kiselman launches the journal Esperantologio / Esperanto Studies (EES) as a successor to the journal Esperantologio, first edited by Paul Neergaard in 1949.
2020: Organisational reform of CED
CED undergoes a major organisational reform, with the definition of key areas of activity and the establishment of a multi-member Board of Directors and Advisory Board. This new structure expands CED’s capacity to support experts, mentor new researchers and contribute to our areas of activity.
2024: The Hodler Library relocates
CED plays a central role in the relocation of the Hodler Library from Rotterdam to Vienna and Warsaw through a series of agreements with the National Library of Poland and the Austrian National Library.