Multilingualism lies at the heart of the European Union. The EU’s 27 member states boast a total of 23 official languages, as well as more than 60 regional and minority languages
Starting off with just four languages in the 1950s, every round of enlargement has increased the linguistic pool of the community. And with Croatia‘s accession to the EU in 2013, yet another language will be added to the list. It is hence unsurprising that multilingualism is one of the core principles that underpin the activities of the Union.
Multilingualism can be defined in two ways: On the one hand it refers to a person’s mastery of more than one language. On the other hand, it describes the existence of multiple language communities in one geographical or political area. Both of the above concepts are inherent to the EU.
Whilst Europe’s linguistic plurality can pose managerial challenges on a day-to-day basis, it is also regarded as a valuable asset. The EU has long recognised multilingualism as a significant trait to its functioning and besides making major investments in translation and interpreting services, it has taken action to promote knowledge of languages across its member states.
Since 2002, the European Union has been pursuing the goal of enabling every citizen to gain practical skills in at least two foreign languages in addition to their mother tongue. Adding to this initiative, the European Commission further unveiled its strategy for multilingualism in 2008, which revolves around three primary goals.
The strategy aims to actively promote language learning and linguistic diversity. Recognising languages as an important part of a person’s identity, the underlying rationale is that knowledge of foreign languages can enhance solidarity amongst European citizens. People who master several languages are more likely to engage in intercultural dialogue, which in turn is conducive to social cohesion and tolerance.
The strategy is further based upon a concern for transparency and legitimacy. Given that EU legislation directly affects all citizens in the Union, the latter have the right to consult this information in the language of their choice. European Union legislation is hence published in all of the EU’s official languages, in order to remove any access barriers and allow Europeans to exercise active citizenship.
Last but not least, the EU’s endeavours to encourage multilingualism are also rooted in significant economic considerations. Language skills are an important tool to boost prosperity across the Union. In an age of globalisation and technological advances, the European Union is witnessing increasing degrees of cross-border interaction and mobility amongst its citizens. And with more and more Europeans living or working in another member state, knowledge of a foreign language can be a gateway towards new economic opportunities that are arising in an interconnected world.
Especially in times of economic turmoil, linguistic flexibility may actually act as a stimulant to the economy. English undoubtedly remains the lingua franca in international business. But the ability to operate in languages other than English can constitute a competitive edge that increases the employability of job seekers or enables companies to break into new markets – both within the European Union and on a global scale.
The EU’s ambition to promote multilingualism is also shared by European citizens. As a recent Eurobarometer survey revealed, some 72% of Europeans agree that every EU citizen should speak more than one language in addition to their mother tongue. One would thus conclude that Europeans attach great importance to multilingualism. Surprisingly, however, this view does not seem to match the situation in practice, as the EU is still far away from reaching the goal it set itself back in 2002. According to the above-mentioned survey, only a quarter of Europeans actually speak two foreign languages.
Thus far, only eight member states of the European Union have been able to reach this objective. It comes as no surprise that Malta would be one of them, as knowledge of foreign languages tends to be second nature to anyone who is raised and educated on the Maltese islands. Accordingly, some 59% of Maltese citizens responded that they possessed practical skills in two foreign languages, placing Malta far ahead of the European average.
The European Commission will be reviewing its strategy for multilingualism this year. Hopefully the above findings will provide the necessary impetus for fresh initiatives that enable the EU to close the gap that currently exists between citizens’ ambitions and their skills in practice. Increasing the number of polyglots in the EU would be beneficial on many accounts. It could boost the competitiveness of EU business and allow the community to realise its full potential in the face of increasing integration and globalisation, all the while ensuring that none of its citizens are ‘lost in translation’.
David Casa is a Nationalist MEP