Language Policy of the European Union

[Godwynn]

Currently, the European Union emphasizes the mother language plus two approach, though it is not official. A citizen of Italy (is a native Italian speaker [forget Südtirol]) should speak Italian and at least two other languages used in the European Union, for example, Spanish and Greek.

Currently, German has more native speakers than any other language at 18% (English and Italian are in 2nd with 13% each). However, English is the most common language with 51% of EU citizens are capable of communicating in English (German is in second with 32%). Source - I'm not sure why French is below English and Italian in native speakers.

This presents a problem with the popularity of English. A more efficient and easy system would be mother language plus English. That way everyone would be able to communicate with one another in English. However, that is sure to ruffle some feathers.

My question to you, should the policy be changed? Perhaps mother languages plus English plus one other language be adopted? Would native English speakers be at a disadvantage with the English only foreign language policy? Should the European Union just sit back and let the people decide so to speak, if they all choose English, so be it?

I must remind the readers that this is not law, only a suggestion.

 

[Bill3000]

Everyone in the European Union should speak Proto-Indo-European. (sorry basques/finns/estonians/hungarians)

 

[Krill]

Yes it should be changed, for the sake of the majority of the EU population. But France won't ever agree to that because they would demand French be the main language...

 

[scherbchen]

from which point of view is there a problem with "the popularity of English" and why should we care? I honestly do not get it other than from an anglocentric point of view. am I being a (male) ditz here?

 

[Godwynn]

from which point of view is there a problem with "the popularity of English" and why should we care? I honestly do not get it other than from an anglocentric point of view.

A problem with the plus two section. For example, a person might think why would they need to learn another foreign language besides English if so many speak it anyway (and more are learning it)?

 

[Kerozine]

Imagine all the accents you would eliminate (or create? )..

 

[CCRunner]

Native + English + 1 other sounds good. I think that America should encourage more foreign language learning too.

 

[scherbchen]

A problem with the plus two section. For example, a person might think why would they need to learn another foreign language besides English if so many speak it anyway (and more are learning it)?

well I, personally, believe that most people learn a foreign language because they are interested in it for some reason. if it is a requirement they will study to pass a test and then forget about it (also I don not see a requirement for Europeans to be fluent in three languages) . alas, I am missing something here and probably talking gibberish. I shouldn't be playing poker and posting at the same time. if I am horribly off course please just ignore my statement.

 

[Dachs]

Make them all speak English and German.

 

[JRD]

removed

 

[Traitorfish]

I get the feeling that the whole policy is trying to avoid acknowledging that English is pretty much the international language. I mean, in practice, "Native + 2 others" and "Native + English + 1 other" are kind of the same thing. Except to Brits, of course, but maybe they just don't want to let us off the hook so easily.
Incidentally, how does this effect those populations which are traditionally bilingual, including a minority language, e.g. Scottish Gaels or French Bretons. Is the non-minority language assumed to play the role of a foreign language?

 

[JRD]

removed

 

[Cutlass]

What about Native + English + 1, with the proviso that if English = Native than it is English + 2?

 

[Shekwan]

How about we all just speak our own language and if we run into trouble communicating we'll figure something out?

It's not like schools in Europe would ever teach anything other than English as a priority, so what's ''official'' is redundant. The US doesn't have an official language does it?

 

[Jan H]

How about we all just speak our own language and if we run into trouble communicating we'll figure something out?

Isn't that how it works right now? Seems perfectly sensible to me!

It's not like schools in Europe would ever teach anything other than English as a priority, so what's ''official'' is redundant. The US doesn't have an official language does it?

Actually, in Flanders English is thaught as 3rd language, with French as second (and
German as fourth for students who choose so).
Didn't do much good to me though, because my French is appaling compared to my English...

 

[Till]

Your own languages plus English is all that's required. Any language beyond that should be voluntary. I'd personally encourage kids to take more science and math classes instead of yet another language.

 

[Rossiya]

Anybody that speaks just one language, and has never bothered to learn any other, is an ignorant idiot, or English.

(is a native Italian speaker [forget Südtirol])

Although German-speakers represent the majority, it's not too strong - 69% in the 2001 census. And it's Alto Adige.

 

[Arwon]

If English is awesome and useful enough, it will get taught and learnt and used. Quit trying to impose it on everyone.

 

[Winner]

Currently, the European Union emphasizes the mother language plus two approach, though it is not official. A citizen of Italy (is a native Italian speaker [forget Südtirol]) should speak Italian and at least two other languages used in the European Union, for example, Spanish and Greek.

Currently, German has more native speakers than any other language at 18% (English and Italian are in 2nd with 13% each). However, English is the most common language with 51% of EU citizens are capable of communicating in English (German is in second with 32%). Source - I'm not sure why French is below English and Italian in native speakers.

This presents a problem with the popularity of English. A more efficient and easy system would be mother language plus English. That way everyone would be able to communicate with one another in English. However, that is sure to ruffle some feathers.

My question to you, should the policy be changed? Perhaps mother languages plus English plus one other language be adopted? Would native English speakers be at a disadvantage with the English only foreign language policy? Should the European Union just sit back and let the people decide so to speak, if they all choose English, so be it?

I must remind the readers that this is not law, only a suggestion.

It should be made into law, IMHO.

English is the best candidate for a lingua franca (appreciate the irony) in Europe. No continental nation speaks it, and except the French nobody hates it too much. And with all due respect to the French, they should shut up already - I see no reason why French should have a better status in the EU than German.

My personal goal is to become fluent in English and then learn German. English+German = ability to communicate with majority of Europeans outside France

 

[Bast]

Eventually it'll become native language + English anyway because of the strength of English outside of Europe.

German is practically useless outside of Europe. French is only useful in Africa and pockets of countries here and there. Spanish is the only one that can stand next to English but Spanish doesn't have that popularity in Europe.