4. Public opinion on issues related to multilingualism

Public opinion on issues related to multilingualism already introduced previously. Support for some of the principles of the Commission’s multilingualism policy is in line with respondents’ perceptions of the situation in their respective countries and their support for multilingualism policy at the country level.

4A. Support for Principles

The European Level – The ideas behind EU policies receive firm support among Europeans -The respondents were presented with five statements that illustrate some of the key principles behind the policies targeted at promoting multilingualism in Europe. All statements receive the support of the majority of Europeans but to a varying extent. 84% of the respondents tend to agree with the view that every EU citizen should be able to speak one language in addition to their mother tongue.

In every country, the majority supports this view. The greatest consensus on this approach prevails in Cyprus (97%), Denmark (92%) and Latvia (92%).

When it comes to the socio-demographic categories, the opinions remain fairly homogenous between different groups. Students and those who have a multilingual background tend to support the target of one foreign language slightly more than their counterparts do.

Equal treatment for all languages spoken within the EU receives the support of 72% of Europeans. This is especially the case in the new Member States where 85% appreciate the notion of equality compared to a 70% share in the old Member States.

A clear majority in every country is in favour of equal treatment for languages. The Maltese (94%), Cypriots (92%) and Poles (90%) are the most supportive of this view. Variation between socio-demographic groups remains moderate, ranging from support from 65% of managers to 78% of those who are born in Europe outside the EU.

The respondents were also presented with two statements that can be seen to contradict the principles of a multilingual society.

First, 70% of Europeans tend to agree with the statement that every EU citizen should be able to speak a common language. This notion is the most widely supported in Germany (79%), Malta (77%) and France (76%). Out of 29 countries only the majority of Finnish respondents reject the idea of one language shared by all Europeans.

The wide support for the statement can be partly understood in the light of the opinion of the majority of Europeans that English is the most useful language to know and, also, a language which children should learn.

Second, over half (55%) of European citizens are willing to accept that all communication with the European Union should take place in a single language. This result gives rise to interrogations with respect to the level of awareness among European citizens of being entitled to communicate with the European institutions in their own native languages. The highest number of respondents in 22 countries tend to agree with this idea, this being especially the case in Poland (69%), Hungary (65%) and Germany (62%). Once again, citizens of Finland (63%) are the most likely to disagree with this statement, followed by the Danes (54%).

The last statement concerns the “mother tongue plus two” policy. 50% of Europeans agree with the view that every EU citizen should be able to speak two foreign languages. 44% do not share this view.

Taking a closer look at this statement at the country level, it can be noted that there is a clear division among countries on the mother tongue plus two objective. Respondents in 15 countries support the idea that everyone should speak two languages in addition to their mother tongue, while citizens of 14 states are not in favour. The Poles (75%), Greeks (74%) and Lithuanians (69%) have the largest shares of citizens that support the aim of mother tongue plus two whereas, respondents in weden (70% against), the Netherlands and France (65% against each) would be in favour of fewer languages learned.

It is interesting to note that citizens in countries such as Spain, Hungary and Italy, where the majority of respondents do not speak any language apart from their mother tongue and the level of motivation to learn languages remains low, still strongly support the idea of knowing at least two languages and rank well above the EU average.

In conclusion, it might be said that in some countries support for the aim of mother tongue plus two appears to be somewhat moderate. This would suggest a need for raising awareness of the benefits of foreign language knowledge.