Here is our beautiful video about prejudices and symbols of the two minority languages in Maastricht, Italian vs German.
The Rap part is this time in Italian and performed by my counterpart. Final thank you goes to KJ for Editing
Cette Europe Babel – Language Policies in the European Union
Multilingualism and the peaceful coexistence of different cultures and languages symbolize Europe´s unity in diversity. Within Europe´s borders 175 different nationalities are represented, 24 official languages are spoken, three alphabets are used and more than 60 other regional and minority languages are present. Europe is probably the only place on earth
with such a complex and multilayered situation which is changing and developing continuingly.- It is a true Babel ! Taking this into account the establishment of an adequate language policy on a European level seems to be essential and unavoidable but at the same time also almost impossible. This last blog entry will focus on language policy in the European Union. It takes into account some of the most effective policies, initiatives and programmes launched so far and gives suggestions for future improvement.
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Language planning and lots of it..
I am a European citizen and I also feel like one. On the other hand, I also feel Dutch. Should I then speak Dutch, French, German or English, or should I speak all of them. It is quite hard to make one rule out of it. Is the feeling where you belong connected to what language you have to speak or is language just something we learn and use?
I believe these are the underlying thoughts and questions when we come to the debate on t
he language policy of the European Union. The European Language Policy is vast and varying. Overall, the European languages are the supported by the European Language Policy. Multilingualism is in general seen as the only possible answer to the all the different languages that are spoken within the European Union.
This is of course not the only option. In the current situation in the European Union every national language is allowed. The delegates speak with each other in their own language while a translator translates. This has been the case for all the years in the past. What is however happening in every level of politics in the European Union, is that English is becoming a more used language. Documents are becoming mostly printed in English and delegates tend to use English in informal meetings. Outside of the supranational institution, European citizens are getting more used to speak English. This raised the overall question on what to do with languages within the European Union.
“Unity in Diversity” or “English only”?
Dear Reader, [Liebe/r Leser/In]
“Unity in Diversity” – das ist das Motto, wenn es um die EU, ihre Mitgliedsstaaten und Kulturen geht. Eingeschlossen in dieses Motto sind die verschiedenen Sprachen, die in der EU gesprochen werden. Von Anfang an wurde auf die Unterschiedlichkeit der verschiedenen Mitgliedstaaten besonderen Wert gelegt. Im Moment bilden 28 Staaten die Europäische Union. Obwohl mehr als 24 Sprachen gesprochen werden, ist dies die Anzahl der offiziellen Sprachen (nicht zu verwechseln mit einigen Co-official Sprachen, die einige Länder anerkennen).
Dies bedeutet (unter anderem), dass die EU Bürger das Recht haben, alle EU Dokumente in den offiziellen Sprachen einzusehen, und dass sie sich die Kommission in einer dieser Sprachen addressieren können (plus eine Antwort in eben dieser Sprache erhalten). Gleichheit und Gerechtigkeit, sowie Zugägnglichkeit spielen hier eine große Rolle.
The Educational Answer of the European Union to the Language Policy, adequate?
Language education is key: the provision of lifelong, quality language education supports not only educational and professional success, but personal development and a sense of self-worth, all of which help foster economic growth, democratic citizenship and social cohesion (European Centre of Modern Languages).
(Open day of the European Institutions, Brussels, 2015)
As the European Commission Language webpage states as a title, one of the objectives of the European Union is to support language learning and linguistic diversity. The LETPP Consortium (2011) expresses that Language Policy is one element in a bigger policy context. One of these contexts is education. As I think you know already, my particular interest is education. Therefore, how does the European Union promote languages through education? Is it an adequate answer to the reality we are living today?
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Languages can build bridges between people
In this final blog I will discuss the European Language Policies that exist in the European Union (EU). The EU works very hard on promoting language learning among the Member States in order to create linguistic diversity. It uses the slogan of “united in diversity” to stimulate this idea. The idea of many different languages co-existing one next to the other harmoniously. “Languages can build bridges between people, giving us access to other countries and cultures, and enabling us to understand each other better”. However, is this way of thinking realistic?
Does the EU need a reality check?
Is the EU Language Policy and adequate answer? It depends what it is in answer to. If we debate this topic, there has to be a closer look as to what the reality is and what is cost effective. In my generation, there will be more English speakers than ever before. As an English speaker the Barcelona approach: “mother tongue + 2” is neither realistic nor cost effective for all individuals. I would argue it is an adequate answer to European integration rather than a response to what is demanded on the job market.
Is the European language policy an adequate answer?
The European Union today is situated in a world that has undergone rapid change. As our world becomes ever more globalized, so do our markets, thus leading to the creation of large markets spanning over oceans and across the globe. Reaching a large market presupposes the ability to communicate. In Europe, English has become the lingua franca of trade and commerce, and an increasing number of Member States are integrating English language teaching into school curricula. The drive to upgrade English however runs parallel to the drive to maintain Europe’s linguistic diversity and the states of the EU are thus faced with the seemingly incompatibility of the two policy initiatives. Is the European language policy as it stands now adequate for our time? Where is the EU heading with this policy? Should it be altered, and with that the EU’s position in the global market?
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Assignment 6
Is the european language policy an adequate answer? ou Le calvaire des langues Européennes
Mon père, fonctionnaire à la Commission Européenne depuis 1981, se plaint souvent du fait que, ces dernières années, il a dû prendre des cours d’anglais de manière répétée et intensive. Parler le français ne suffit plus.
En poste au Maroc et en Mauritanie, la communication interne et externe (vers Bruxelles) se faisait en français et au Soudan, puisque l’anglais est la langue officielle du pays avec l’Arabe et donc la langue des fonctionnaires locaux, l’anglais était utilisé de manière interne et le français pour les communications vers Bruxelles.
Depuis son retour de Mauritanie en 2009, il m’explique que l’anglais a progressivement pris le dessus sur le français et que selon lui, cette arrivée en force coïncide avec l’accession des 10 pays (slaves entre autres) en 2004, ainsi que ceux qui ont suivi ces dernières années.
