English after Brexit
It is to be hoped that the EU will retain English among its official languages after the UK leaves the European Union coming March. In fact, Brexit might provide an opportunity to grant English a special status.
Among the 28 Member States, at present the EU has no less than 24 official languages. Since Ireland and Malta have opted for Gaeilge and Maltese as their official languages, only the UK brings English as official language to the EU.
All official languages are equal. Official documents appear in all languages. Many meetings are supported by simultaneous translation. The EU is an important source of employment for interpreters and translators. However, the multi-language system is also a source of great inefficiency and of major costs – over € 1bn annually.
The Court of Justice of the European Union uses French as its working language. Most other institutions, committees and working groups de facto use English as working language. In most EU countries English is the most commonly spoken foreign language.
It would be an incalculable loss if the EU where to lose English as official language through Brexit. From that perspective it is to be hoped that Malta or Ireland will choose English as their official language as they have done in the past.
However, Brexit may also present a great opportunity. So far it has been impossible in the EU to agree on one or a limited number of official working languages. Among the motives to object to such agreement, was the fear that native speakers would in negotiations enjoy an unfair advantage over non-native speakers in the language of choice. This seems to be a fair point. When Brexit causes a situation where English no longer is the official language of any of the Member States, it might be easier to agree that from then onwards we all negotiate in this second language.
I strongly recommend the EU institutions to seize the opportunity Brexit presents by choosing English as official working language. When English is no longer the language of one of the members, let it be the language of the Union.
Looking for opportunities to expand my individual voluntary work
6 年What is the problem with everyone speaking French? After all, they say it is the English who are incapable of learning foreign languages.
Caro Professore e caro amico, Talvolta le ragioni di economia confliggono con quelle della cultura, cultura che è anche quella della? ricchezza di storiche culture, anche alimentari, che hanno reso importanti tanti Stati. Già il lamento contro l'Europa comandata da altri è forte e se crediamo in un qualche progetto di Europa, (quale?) la tutela delle lingue è fondamentale. è solo un mio pensiero, naturalmente, ma benevolo nei confronti dell'UE.
Regulatory at Omega Pharma, a Perrigo Company
6 年I think Ireland might be unhappy if there were any suggestion of not retaining English.
Dear Bernd good operational, interoperable point of attention, which is neutral and has nothing to do with history or cultures. All persons can embrace their own language in their own context. But they communicate in the English language when they cross their borders. See the English language as a global standard. This also to improve and speed up interoperabel communication not only within but also outside Europe. The world is, as we know bigger than Europe.
Auditor
6 年Very interesting point!