Variability of language situation in the european union

Topic 1. EUROPEANS AND THEIR LANGUAGES

Based on a special Eurobarometer survey, November – December 2005. Published February 2006. This survey was requested by Directorate General for Education and Culture and coordinated by Directorate General Press and Communication.

Seminar 1. The languages of the European Union

1. Presentation.

2. Types of languages spoken in Europe.

3. The current situation of multilingualism. A. Mother tongues. B. Other languages known. C. Range of languages known. D. The level of language skills.

4. How Europeans use languages. A. Frequency of use. B. Situations of use.

C. Usefulness of language skills.

5. Public opinion on issues related to multilingualism. A. Support for principles. B. Evaluation of language skills.

Presentation

Today the European Union is home to 450 million people from diverse ethnic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The linguistic patterns of European countries are complex - shaped by history, geographical factors and mobility of people. At present, the European Union recognises 23 official languages, and about 60 other indigenous and non-indigenous languages are spoken over the geographical area of Europe.

Note: Study a political map of Europe given below (or any other political map of Europe in the Internet) http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/pdf/eur_country.pdf

Check your knowledge of European countries using a blank map given below (or any other blank map of Europe in the Internet)

http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/pdf/eur_countrynl.pdf

The term multilingualism refers both to a situation where several languages are spoken within a specific geographical area and to the ability of a person to master several languages. As such, multilingualism is a key feature of Europe in its both senses.

The benefits of knowing foreign languages are unquestionable. Language is the path to understanding other ways of living, which in turn opens up the space for intercultural tolerance. Furthermore, language skills facilitate working, studying and travelling across Europe and allow true intercultural communication.

In other words, multilingualism contributes a great deal to the key European values of democracy, equality, transparency and competitiveness.

The European Union is a truly multilingual institution that fosters the ideal of a single Community with a diversity of cultures and languages. To guarantee this the European Commission adopted in November 2005 the first Commission Communication that explores the area of multilingualism. The three core aims of the Commission’s multilingualism policy are to encourage language learning, to promote a healthy multilingual economy, and to give all EU citizens access to legislation, procedures and information of the Union in their own language.

This is why the Directorate General for Education and Culture launched this Special Eurobarometer study on Multilingualism. Between 5 November and 7 December, 2005, 28 694 citizens3 in the 25 EU countries as well as in Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Turkey were asked about their experiences and perceptions of multilingualism as part of the research N 64.3 of the Eurobarometer.

Three main themes can be found behind the analysis:

• The long-term objective for all EU citizens to speak two languages in addition to their mother tongue;

• Lifelong language learning starting from a very early age;

• The importance of education.

The results of the survey are presented at the EU level. These findings are also compared with two previous reports on Europeans and languages. Two supplementary points are added to provide additional information:

• The respondent’s activity as a language learner;

• Number of foreign languages known.

When analyzing the results of this survey, some methodological and analytical issues should be taken into consideration. The first Special Eurobarometer on Europeans and languages was carried out as part of the celebration of European Year of Languages 2001. The second time this topic of multilingualism was approached as part of the Standard Eurobarometer. Also the Standard Eurobarometer included questions about mother tongues spoken within Europe and about the language skills of Europeans.

Special Eurobarometers concern specific topics, whereas Standard Eurobarometers are repeated regularly to monitor the evolution of public opinion in the Member States.

In the question concerning respondents’ mother tongues, interviewers use a precoded list of languages. When citizens are asked what their mother tongue is, they spontaneously give their answer which is coded in a list of languages that has been prepared in advance. Consequently, all the languages, which are not official languages of the EU, mentioned as mother tongues are categorized into groups such as “other regional languages” and “other languages”.

Some of the key terminology used throughout this report is defined here.