auxlang

An auxlang, short for auxiliary language, is a constructed language designed to facilitate international communication as a common second language. It is distinct from natural languages and from artistic or fictional conlangs, being explicitly created to be learned and used for practical interlingual understanding.

Typical features of auxlangs include regular grammar, minimal irregularities, phonemic orthography, and vocabulary drawn from multiple language families or chosen to favor neutrality. Many designs emphasize ease of learning for speakers of diverse backgrounds, with simple morphology, predictable syntax, and unambiguous semantics. Some projects borrow a common lexicon from several European languages, while others derive most of their words from a single source or aim for semantic transparency.

Notable examples and movements include Esperanto, the most successful auxlang, created by L. L. Zamenhof in 1887 with the goal of fostering peaceful international communication. Ido emerged as a reform proposal for Esperanto, while Interlingua sought a naturalistic vocabulary based on widely known Western European languages. Other efforts include Lingua Franca Nova and Occidental/Interlingue. The field has been influenced by organizations such as the International Auxiliary Language Association, which promoted Interlingua, and by ongoing communities of learners and supporters.

Today, auxlangs have a modest but persistent presence online and in language clubs. They are not adopted as official national languages in any country, and uptake remains a subject of debate—balancing potential ease of communication against questions of cultural diversity, political neutrality, and real-world adoption.