Esperanto was designed to be a universal second language, but it’s also become an unlikely star of pop culture. You might not recognise the language by name, but chances are you’ve encountered it in films, music, or even viral memes. Here’s where Esperanto sneaks into the mainstream.
Esperanto in film and TV
Directors love using Esperanto when they need a fictional language that sounds vaguely European but isn’t tied to any real-world culture. It pops up in unexpected places:
- Incubus (1965) – This cult horror film, starring a young William Shatner, is entirely in Esperanto. The dialogue was so badly pronounced that even native Esperanto speakers struggle to understand it.
- Gattaca (1997) – The dystopian sci-fi classic features Esperanto announcements in the background, reinforcing the film’s theme of a homogenised future society.
- Red Dwarf – The British sci-fi comedy occasionally uses Esperanto for signage and background chatter, playing up its reputation as a ‘nerdy’ language.
Music and Esperanto
Musicians have experimented with Esperanto for decades, often to give their work an otherworldly or intellectual vibe:
- Esperanto by British band Kajto – An entire folk album sung in Esperanto, blending Celtic influences with the language’s melodic rhythm.
- “La Espero” – The unofficial anthem of Esperanto, composed by L. L. Zamenhof himself. It’s been covered by artists worldwide, sometimes with radical reinterpretations.
Internet culture and memes
Esperanto thrives in niche online spaces. It’s the language of choice for absurdist humour, crypto-enthusiasts, and even digital communication experiments:
- “Ĉu vi parolas Esperanton?” – A recurring meme phrase meaning “Do you speak Esperanto?”, often used ironically in multilingual online spaces.
- Duolingo memes – The app’s Esperanto course has spawned countless jokes about the owl mascot’s aggressive teaching style.
Saluton
[saˈluto]“Hello”
Why does pop culture love Esperanto?
The language’s constructed nature makes it versatile:
- It sounds vaguely European but isn’t tied to any specific nation, making it perfect for fictional settings
- Its regular grammar makes it easier for actors to learn lines phonetically
- The language carries utopian connotations, fitting sci-fi and dystopian themes
For more on how Esperanto compares to natural languages, see our guide on whether it can be a gateway to learning other languages.
Where to spot Esperanto next
Keep an ear out for Esperanto in:
- Indie video games (it’s cheaper than inventing a new language from scratch)
- Background radio chatter in films set in Europe
- Cryptic Twitter bios and niche subreddits
