Edgar de Wahl, Ukrainian-Estonian linguist and scholar (b. 1867)

The Visionary Behind Interlingue: Edgar Alexei Robert von Wahl

Born on August 23, 1867, Edgar Alexei Robert von Wahl, also known as de Wahl, was a figure of considerable intellectual breadth—a Baltic German teacher, mathematician, and linguist. His lasting legacy, however, firmly rests on his creation of Interlingue, a naturalistic constructed language. Throughout his lifetime, this innovative language was primarily known as Occidental, first introduced to the world in 1922. It was designed to be easily accessible, drawing its structure and vocabulary from the rich tapestry of Indo-European languages.

Early Life and Educational Journey

Edgar von Wahl's early years were marked by movement across the vast Russian Empire. He was born in Olwiopol, or according to some accounts, in the nearby town of Bohopil, within the Kherson Governorate, a region now part of Pervomaisk, Mykolaiv Oblast, Ukraine. His family's residence in Ukraine was due to his father's profession as a railway engineer. After spending several years in the Ukrainian lands, the family relocated, residing for a period in Tallinn before making their way to Saint Petersburg. It was in Saint Petersburg that Wahl pursued his studies, subsequently commencing service in the Imperial Russian Navy. By 1894, he had transitioned into an academic role, beginning his career as a teacher in Tallinn.

A Lifelong Quest for a Universal Language

De Wahl's journey into the world of international auxiliary languages began with Volapük, a language introduced to him by his father's colleague, Waldemar Rosenberger. He quickly immersed himself, even starting to compile a lexicon for marine terminology in Volapük. However, his linguistic path soon took a pivotal turn. Just a few months later, in 1888, he stumbled upon an Esperanto brochure in a bookshop. This discovery ignited a profound interest, leading him to become a fervent supporter of the burgeoning language. He was among Esperanto's earliest adopters, even offering valuable grammatical and vocabulary advice to its creator, L. L. Zamenhof. Yet, his allegiance to Esperanto was not absolute. Following the failed vote to reform the language in 1894—a vote where de Wahl was notably one of the few advocating for a radical, completely new reform—he became disillusioned. Over the subsequent decades, he dedicated himself to the intricate problem of devising an ideal international auxiliary language, believing there was a better solution yet to be found.

The Genesis and Evolution of Occidental (Interlingue)

The culmination of his decades-long pursuit arrived in 1922. That year, de Wahl unveiled a "key" to his new language, Occidental, alongside the inaugural issue of a periodical called Kosmoglott (later rebranded Cosmoglotta), entirely written in the new language. De Wahl was not merely an inventor; he was a facilitator. In the years that followed, he actively engaged in discussions surrounding Occidental, allowing the language to organically evolve based on the recommendations and feedback of its growing user base. This iterative approach was crucial to its development and acceptance.

The Shadow of War and Final Years

The outbreak of World War II in 1939 cast a long shadow over de Wahl's work and life. His contacts with the Occidentalist movement, which had largely coalesced in Switzerland, became intermittent. A particularly tragic period began in 1943 when his Tallinn home was destroyed during aerial bombardments. The following year, 1944, brought further hardship when he was incarcerated by Nazi troops for refusing to relocate to Germany as an ethnic German. He was eventually saved by friends who successfully argued for his mental instability, facilitating his transfer to a psychiatric hospital in Tallinn. With his home in ruins, he remained in the hospital after the war, where he passed away on March 9, 1948. Shortly after his death, in 1949, Occidental underwent a significant rebranding, officially adopting the name Interlingue. Just two years later, in 1951, another constructed language, Interlingua, was introduced, attracting several prominent users of the newly named Interlingue, including Ric Berger and André Schild, highlighting the ongoing dynamic and competitive landscape of constructed language development.

Frequently Asked Questions About Edgar von Wahl

Who was Edgar Alexei Robert von Wahl?
He was a Baltic German teacher, mathematician, and linguist, best known as the creator of the constructed language Interlingue, originally called Occidental.
What is Interlingue (Occidental)?
Interlingue is a naturalistic constructed language, meaning it was designed to be easily learned and used due to its vocabulary and grammar being based on common European languages, primarily Indo-European roots. It was intended as an international auxiliary language.
When was Interlingue (Occidental) first published?
The first "key" to Occidental was published by von Wahl in 1922, along with the first issue of the periodical "Kosmoglott."
What was von Wahl's involvement with Esperanto?
He was an early and strong supporter of Esperanto, even advising its creator, L. L. Zamenhof. However, he later abandoned it after a failed reform vote in 1894, leading him to develop his own language solution.
When did Occidental change its name to Interlingue?
The name of the language was officially changed from Occidental to Interlingue in 1949, shortly after von Wahl's death.
What happened to Edgar von Wahl during World War II?
His home was destroyed in 1943, and he was incarcerated by Nazi troops in 1944 for refusing to move to Germany. He was later moved to a psychiatric hospital in Tallinn, where he spent his final years.