If the European Union ever becomes a superstate, what language would we all be forced to adapt?

Answer 1

I doubt if we would be forced to adopt any language.

The Internet is now so pervasive in international society that English is becoming even more an international language than Latin was in its heyday. It has also become essential for business and science because all the basic documents are in English. So the European Union could not force its people to adopt any language other than English even if it tried. Even the French, who would dearly like their language to have parity, now realise practical needs to know English.

So many officials and MEPs now know English that it is crazy to continue all the very expensive simultaneous translation of meetings into every language, as well as translation of huge numbers of documents. Wouldn't it be cheaper to send any new official or MEP who did not speak English, and I would agree that language should not be a barrier to selection or election, on an intensive English as a Foreign Language course, given the small number of people who would need it?

A final point, it humbles me as an Englishman to hear how well other Europeans speak our language. There are various reasons why it is advantageous to be at least bilingual. I lived in Cardiff for a while and it was very noticeable how much better Welsh speakers than English ones were at things like diplomacy and international commerce, even though in South Wales they never use Welsh for work life (outside the politically correct public sector). Children are genetically programmed to learn languages when they are two to four, and it seems that if they learn several languages then they find it easier to pick up others later. I think every child in the UK should go to second language playgroup - it doesn't matter what language providing it is not the one they speak at home. There are more than enough foreign speakers living in the UK who could run such playgroups. School, and particularly secondary school, is too late as there is academic evidence that the child's ability to learn a language as though a native is lost at around the age of seven. Also, children have other things like numeracy skills to learn at primary and secondary school. The inferior language skills of the English and Scots are one reason we get so badly exploited by the EU e.g. they can take our jobs but we cannot get theirs.

Answer 2

I fully believe the EU could easily become a Superstate once it ratifies a constitution. And as part of that constitution all currently spoken languages will be allowed.

Unless the climate drastically changes no single language will be forced on anyone though I would suggest through business and economics English is already considered the 'De facto' spoken language in the EU.

Answer 3

Yes, English might be the language of choice but can you imagine the horror of an entire continent speaking like characters out of Eastenders? My personal preference would be Scots-English.

Answer 4

English. Why would we choose any other ?

French ? no, none of the other superstates use this as there first language

Chinese, Russian...popular but not global enough

Answer 5

Your question just made me smile - does anyone remember the language: esperanto??

I'm patchy on its origins but I am pretty sure it was developed purely for the EU to adopt to use - of course it was a big flop.

So please don't lets adopt esperanto! I don't think we could ever be 'forced' to speak one language only accross the EU.

Answer 6

I suspect at first it would be the three offical languages French, German and English, but I think over time English would be taken as the lingu franca (not without protest from the French!)

Answer 7

the ecu is undemocratic with tips from definition. it is not something yet a "loose commerce" scam set as much as help the firms screw ecu voters. the U. S. does not must be made to "submit" with one among these device. the financial elite have already gotten us to "submit" with the Federal Reserve. All of it is approximately giving the bankers administration of fiat forex, which ensures no such factor as significant democracy will ever exist.

Answer 8

The worlds international language......which just happens to be English.

Answer 9

English since it is widely spoken accross Europe already within major businesses and corporations.

Answer 10

Elinika, that would rock a few boats.

p.s. That is the Greek language by the way.