English language
Translations of British Brexit plan provoke ridicule
The UK government has taken the somewhat unprecedented step of translating the executive summary of its Brexit White Paper into 22 European languages.
Bundestag MPs want EU staff to use German more after Brexit
Three members of Germany's Bundestag have asked Chancellor Angela Merkel to make sure EU institutions use the German language more.
EU offers more language choice to hopeful recruits
The EU has changed the language requirements for its recruitment process. Prospective candidates will now have a wider choice and no longer be limited to just English, French or German during the selection procedure.
Parlez-vous English, French politicians?
The French are known for their laissez-faire attitude toward speaking English and political leaders are no exception to this cliché. The French presidential hopefuls' familiarity with the language of Shakespeare also varies from the capable to the shambolic.
BuzzFeed editor: Brexit calls for European media cooperation
BuzzFeed UK Europe Editor Alberto Nardelli advocates for more translation and localisation of media content, as well as more cooperation to balance out the often biased English-speaking press.
VW ditches German as official language, angers linguists
Carmaker Volkswagen has taken the surprise decision to ditch German as its official working language and switch to English, in a move intended to attract high-level management but which has already been denounced by German language advocates.
France seeks to capitalise on Brexit to gain influence in Brussels
The idea of dropping English as an official language of the EU is tempting many in Brussels. French politicians sense an opportunity to gain some much-needed credibility. EURACTIV France reports.
Eurostat: English reinforces its status as Europe’s ‘lingua franca’
Ninety four percent of upper secondary students learn English as a foreign language, according to new data published by Eurostat yesterday (26 September) to coincide with the European Day for Languages.
Learning languages a way out of crisis, says Vassiliou
Learning foreign languages can become a way for Europeans to exit the economic doldrums and find employment opportunities across borders, says language and culture Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou.
European workers lack basic English language skills: Survey
Although the English language plays a central role in today's international business environment, workers in many countries are still struggling with basic communication skills, according to a new report.
Vassiliou: Immigrants must learn the language of their host country
Speaking in tribute to the European day of languages on Wednesday (26 September), Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said it was a time to “celebrate” multilingualism in all its forms, but that immigrants must learn the language of their “host” country.
Language teaching on the rise, English still dominates
An increasing number of students are taught foreign languages in European schools, according to a new report.Multilingualism in the Commission: Do as I say, not as I do
The European Commission, which drafts legislation which governs the lives of European citizens, works overwhelmingly in English. However a language is not simply a neutral conduit for information and there are ways of making the EU’s administration more multilingual and representative of its citizens, argues Michel Soubies.
Multilingualism MEP: ‘We’re having difficulty recruiting English people’
Thirty years on, Margaret Thatcher's' education policies have had unexpected consequences on the European Parliament's translation and interpretation services. Miguel Angel Martinez Martinez, the Spanish MEP in charge of the Assembly's multilingualism policy, explains why in an interview with EURACTIV.
Demand for French classes on the rise in EU circles
Despite the continued dominance of English as a working language, demand for French classes in Brussels has increased, notably among EU staff and accredited diplomats and journalists, says Thierry Lagnau, director of the 'Alliance Française Bruxelles-Europe'.