English Loses Currency as Europe’s Lingua Franca After Brexit Vote

[Aero]

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European Commission has moved to focus on using French and German in communications

A sign with ‘Welcome’ in various European languages greets visitors to Parliament in central London in February. PHOTO: REUTERS


BRUSSELS—The U.K.’s departure from the European Union will erode the status of the English language in EU institutions to the benefit of French and German, with the bloc’s executive arm already moving to ditch English from some of its official communications.

Even before the British government has officially lodged its intention to leave, the European Commission has made a symbolic decision to focus on French and German in statements to the press and speeches, according to two EU officials.

Although the EU has 24 official languages, only English, German and French are recognized working languages in the bloc’s executive arm. “We will use more French and German,” said one of the officials.

In his speech to the European Parliament Tuesday, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is expected to address lawmakers in just French and German, the two officials said. That breaks with a long tradition of trilingual speeches by Mr. Juncker.

“English will remain a working language, but of course there is a symbolic move there,” said the first official.

The commission move is unlikely to push English out as the lingua franca of the EU. English will remain one of the bloc’s official languages, since it’s also spoken in Ireland and Malta, and it will remain the working language of the European Central Bank. It is also the main language used by the many non-native English speakers in Brussels, including EU officials, lawyers, lobbyists and journalists.

But some officials working in the institutions worry that the departure of the U.K., and the expected sidelining of British EU officials, will mean more meetings will be held in French or German—excluding those who have focused on English as their main foreign language. Others pointed out that focusing on French and German will further entrench the power of Berlin and Paris, excluding countries in the EU’s north, south and east that are already losing a political ally.

At the commission’s daily media briefing Monday, chief spokesman Margaritis Schinasmade his opening statement in French only, rather than the usual French and English. Friday and over the weekend, Mr. Juncker also gave statements and interviews only to German media—a decision that the officials said was deliberate.

The commission and Mr. Juncker aren’t discarding the language of Shakespeare altogether. Mr. Schinas answered questions in English Monday, and Mr. Juncker is expected to continue making statements in English when it is appropriate, for instance at a planned appearance with Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico on Friday, one of the officials said.

But giving French and German more prominence in commission briefings will create problems for journalists who have the important task to explain often-complex policies in their home countries, said Pablo Rodríguez, a correspondent for Spanish daily El Mundo.

“Eighty percent of the correspondents here will have much more trouble getting into the details,” he said. Mr. Rodríguez also speaks French, but said that—like many foreign correspondents in Brussels—he feels much more comfortable in English.

Several members of the European Parliament also worried that Mr. Juncker’s decision not to speak English might send the wrong message, not only to the British people.

“It’s as provocative as some of the arguments of the Leave campaign. Now we should react with openness and generosity,” said Sorin Moisa, a center-left lawmaker from Romania.

“It’s like children in the playground,” said Cecilia Wikström, a centrist MEP from Sweden. “Brexit is to me so dramatic, so huge…that we shouldn’t react in this symbolic way.”

Ms. Wikström said that keeping English now could actually make communications in the EU a bit fairer, since most of those speaking it would be using a foreign language.

“I was always frustrated that native speakers had such a huge advantage,” she said.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-to-say-au-revoir-tschuss-to-english-language-1467036600

They are just trying to show their disagreement. It will be quite difficult to replace english as it now.

 

[Blue Marlin]

We 'Mericans have a Very Low Proficiency with English... we speak American.

.

ahh so thats why you mericans dont get me then i thought you lot spoke english but the mericans speak merican makes sense..... why didn't i get that before.

When I was 15 years old (and had studied French for three years), I worked a summer at a hotêl in Evian.
One day, I had to help a french count with his luggage.
I could understand enough of French to somewhat have a conversation,
but his french was totally uncomprehensible.
After some time, I finally realized he was trying to speak English.

We had another French guy coming up to hold a presentation (in English)
in the late 1980s. The critique sheet in Stockholm said:
- The next time, do it in English.
In Helsinki, Finland it said:
- When the French Guy is back home, steal his passport, LOL!



I started to subscribe to an English Magazine when I was 11 years old...
Had an American accent when I was 12, after spending a summer in Cincinnati.

for some reason i want to go sweden if most people speak english.
it will be like scotland but without the scotish accent and lot more pretty blondes

 

[Aero]

Seems angry one to me.

but may be just to portray German in different shade they picked up specific words. The speaker is also not a calm one.

 

[bobo6661]

How cannot you fall in love with the word 'Kurwa' ? Please,tell me.

I love this word when im pissed im letting go all my bad emotions xD

As an italian i must tell you ... polish sounds pretty much like this to us:

I only like this German is perfect for hard rock

 

[MarkusS]

basic fact is evrything sounds shit compared to italian.

 

[bobo6661]

basic fact is evrything sounds shit compared to italian.

Nah its sounds like this for me

But anyway prefer Japanise;p

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

basic fact is evrything sounds shit compared to italian.

Nah, THIS sounds Italian... (Waiting for "Swedish Chef" replies)

 

[maximuswarrior]

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me. A country which chose to exit the EU should not have much say in its affairs. For weeks we have been hearing and reading how evil the EU is. Well, time for the EU to make sure that Britain goes its own merry way at the earliest. Time to transform the EU and its institutes according to its member states.

It is funny to see how Britain is behaving. It seeks to part ways, but still passionately dictates the EU for free tarrif deals and lectures on its internal matters.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me. A country which chose to exit the EU should not have much say in its affairs. For weeks we have been hearing and reading how evil the EU is. Well, time for the EU to make sure that Britain goes its own merry way at the earliest. Time to transform the EU and its institutes according to its member states.

It is funny to see how Britain is behaving. It seeks to part ways, but still passionately dictates the EU for free tarrif deals and lectures on its internal matters.

Ask yourself why many people in the E.U are so disgruntled and unhappy with the way the E. U functions today? It's not just in Britain, if you carry out a referendum in many E. U countries about an exit or not, you will be surprise by the results believe me. The E. U as I have said several times on here NEEDS TO REFORM AND FAST. When it was an economic union everybody was cool with it, but the moment they moved towards a political Union while trying to force countries to adopt laws that doesn't suit their environment/situation then we have a problem. The funny thing is despite many complaints by member countries all these years E. U bureaucrats don't seem to care at all. Lol
The E.U SHOULD use our BREXIT as an opportunity to reform for the greater good of Europe , since if they don't then nothing will ever make them reform and this will have dire consequences for the union.
Wishing them all the best though, since we are both interdependent on each other.

I think a lot of EU countries will demand the use of English, since it is the preferred second language.
Nordic Countries for sure.
Ireland, Malta probably would prefer English, even if they have their own languages.
Spain, Italy?
Belgium might accept French.
Who except Germany and Austria wants to hear statements in German? Netherlands?

Lol This BREXIT is making some countries adopt some very funny laws/rules.
All I will tell them is : Good luck with that.

 

[maximuswarrior]

Ask yourself why many people in the E.U are so disgruntled and unhappy with the way the E. U functions today? It's not just in Britain, if you carry out a referendum in many E. U countries about an exit or not, you will be surprise by the results believe me. The E. U as I have said several times on here NEEDS TO REFORM AND FAST. When it was an economic union everybody was cool with it, but the moment they moved towards a political Union while trying to force countries to adopt laws that doesn't suit their environment/situation then we have a problem. The funny thing is despite many complaints by member countries all these years E. U bureaucrats don't seem to care at all. Lol
The E.U SHOULD use our BREXIT as an opportunity to reform for the greater good of Europe , since if they don't then nothing will ever make them reform and this will have dire consequences for the union.
Wishing them all the best though, since we are both interdependent on each other.

You reaped EU benefits for all these years. It is very easy to be judgmental and point out the flaws now. Besides, can you claim that an independent Britain will be a perfect shining example free from flaws and errors? In reality, your frustration and anger is based on something far more sinister. We have seen this anger on display on the streets of Britain. Don't blame the EU for the shortcomings of your own failed policies.

The EU is doing just fine. In fact, once Britain is gone which is indeed a US lackey, the EU will be able to exert more influence and act more independently.

Every European country has its fair share of anti-Europe and anti-immigration bigots. However, it seems Britain has always led this pack and the result of the referendum speaks volume. You're mistaken about the rest of Europe. This is wishful thinking. Let's see how Britain can fulfill all of its promises without being a part of the EU. The onus is on Britain, not the EU.

 

[livingdead]

lol.. even though it is exaggerated spanish(latino), italian are quite easy on ear... german not so much.

 

[SMS Derfflinger]

Why are you all so focussed on German language, no one has made such a statement in Germany, which demand this? This is totally BS from the EU to take some revenge on UK. Not our problem. I`m fine with english like the most Germans, too.

We have to see this realistic. English is the traffic language of the world. To be honest, i could live with english as offical language. Although UK is not more in the EU, they are still here, this unsinkable aircraft carrier not even get the British moved.
Moreover it is language of our biggest Ally, the USA (hm, although Spain would be maybe better to learn).
Btw, @mike2000 is back i know your secret, the Brits had seen this all coming and because you all are bunch of lazy sacks, you had decided to colonize the world instead to learn other languages nowadays.

 

[Star Wars]

in the long term this is huge!!! assuming the EU doesn't continue to disintegrate.

Seeing the mess in UK, i am sure folks im EU are having second thoughts on the whole brexit thing.

 

[ultron]

No pain no gain. Dissolving EU may be hard like dissolving USSR. But it's the only way to go. Otherwise, everyone will die.

 

[mike2000 is back]

You reaped EU benefits for all these years. It is very easy to be judgmental and point out the flaws now. Besides, can you claim that an independent Britain will be a perfect shining example free from flaws and errors? In reality, your frustration and anger is based on something far more sinister. We have seen this anger on display on the streets of Britain. Don't blame the EU for the shortcomings of your own failed policies.

The EU is doing just fine. In fact, once Britain is gone which is indeed a US lackey, the EU will be able to exert more influence and act more independently.

Every European country has its fair share of anti-Europe and anti-immigration bigots. However, it seems Britain has always led this pack and the result of the referendum speaks volume. You're mistaken about the rest of Europe. This is wishful thinking. Let's see how Britain can fulfill all of its promises without being a part of the EU. The onus is on Britain, not the EU.

Lool Who talked about the E.U being evil ? Are you putting words in my mouth or you are hallucinating ? Lol So asking a union to reform invane or making valid criticisms towards wrong policies is Evil ? Are we living in a third world country dictatorship where constructive criticism is not allowed and dissent is ruthlessly dealt with? lol

Anyway, lets see how the E.U will carry on then. Make sure you continue with the current trend of NO REFORMS and forcing a political union on members countries who dont agree with it. Lol
Have you ever asked yourself why your so called loyal French and even Dutch buddies voted in 2005 to reject the European constitution in their country? Never mind that this was still forced on them at the end. Lol
We in Britain have always been strategic and far sighted, reason we have been the most outspoken country for reforms and correcting E.U's irrational policies when they go wrong because we know the future of the Union depend on it. Many countries in the E.U think the same but are often scared or reluctant to say it publicly or face Germany. Lol If you dont criticise ,reform accordingly and self correct as a union then you are doomed in the long run.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see the results Of E.U bureaucrats refusal to reform and change the way the E.U functions a few years from now, since according to them the E.U is doing perfectly well and there is nothing much to change Lol. Carry on with the denial.

Finally , please all of you europeans should stop speaking our language, that will be a good start in helping your leaders get rid of our influence and the dreaded English language.

lol.. even though it is exaggerated spanish(latino), italian are quite easy on ear... german not so much.

Lol. German language is fine to me.

Why are you all so focussed on German language, no one has made such a statement in Germany, which demand this? This is totally BS from the EU to take some revenge on UK. Not our problem. I`m fine with english like the most Germans, too.

We have to see this realistic. English is the traffic language of the world. To be honest, i could live with english as offical language. Although UK is not more in the EU, they are still here, this unsinkable aircraft carrier not even get the British moved.
Moreover it is language of our biggest Ally, the USA (hm, although Spain would be maybe better to learn).
Btw, @mike2000 is back i know your secret, the Brits had seen this all coming and because you all are bunch of lazy sacks, you had decided to colonize the world instead to learn other languages nowadays.

Actually, its France that often have this rivalry/cautioness towards Britain from the colonial days where they were trying to compete/catch up with Great Britain in world reach/colonies to this day. They still resent the fact that the world is an anglo saxon dominant world and there is nothing much they can do about it but watch.
Germany doesnt really have that feeling towards britain, after all, we anglo saxons originally migrated from Germany itself, so we are both natural warriors/conquerors and understand each other better.