Which, if any, countries on the continent of Europe will be among the first to adopt English as an added "official" language?
Apr 14th, 2005, 10:47 AM
#81
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>Malta has already adopted English as one of their two official languages. It's >European, it's in the EU, but is it "on the continent of Europe"?
>Anselm
Malta did not already adopt english as its official language, its 200yr history under British administration meant that English was the official language. Maltese became an additional official language only a few decades ago. Malta is seperated by sea from Europe but I can think of some other EU countries which are also islands.
Imagine if people in the computer industry did not agree on the computer language to use for the Internet network, we would not have the internet, or the internet would be much more complex with expensive translator machines.some people who dont know any english might be at a disadvantage at first but if they make an effort they will definately learn it. English has been the defacto common language since the US/British victory at the end of WWII. it was Deutsch under Hitlers Reich, Latin during the Roman Empire. French was the lingua franca under Napoleon, but some french cant seem to wake up to reality.
i think we should thank the allies for the dominance of the English language, otherwise much less people would be able to communicate on this messageboard
>Anselm
Malta did not already adopt english as its official language, its 200yr history under British administration meant that English was the official language. Maltese became an additional official language only a few decades ago. Malta is seperated by sea from Europe but I can think of some other EU countries which are also islands.
Imagine if people in the computer industry did not agree on the computer language to use for the Internet network, we would not have the internet, or the internet would be much more complex with expensive translator machines.some people who dont know any english might be at a disadvantage at first but if they make an effort they will definately learn it. English has been the defacto common language since the US/British victory at the end of WWII. it was Deutsch under Hitlers Reich, Latin during the Roman Empire. French was the lingua franca under Napoleon, but some french cant seem to wake up to reality.
i think we should thank the allies for the dominance of the English language, otherwise much less people would be able to communicate on this messageboard
Apr 14th, 2005, 12:11 PM
#82
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That was really strange--am I the only one who saw that brightly colored Flamingo ad at the bottom of this screen?? I saw it there for about a minute but now it has disappeared. How did it get on here??
Apr 14th, 2005, 10:21 PM
#83
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Interesting BBC article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4444103.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4444103.stm
Apr 14th, 2005, 10:42 PM
#84
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All members of the EU. English is now the offical lanuage of the goverment of Europe.
In a good number of counries in Europe it is an unoffical second lanuage already. Esp in eastern Europe.
http://www.franceinfocus.net
In a good number of counries in Europe it is an unoffical second lanuage already. Esp in eastern Europe.
http://www.franceinfocus.net
Apr 15th, 2005, 01:02 AM
#85
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English is NOT the "official language of the government of Europe".
It's one of three working languages within the European Commission - the organisation that co-ordinates some parts of the workings of some European countries. For some purposes (like meetings on scientific or commercial issues) it's the most commonly used working language: for others (like asking a huissier in the Commission offices to do anything) it's less use than pidgin Eskimo.
The European Union has a score of official languages. Officially, English has no superior status to Maltese or Latvian. Legislation needs to be in most, or for some purposes all, twenty or so languages.
It's a depressing commentary on modern education to observe how few posters in this thread have the faintest idea what an official language actually is.
It's one of three working languages within the European Commission - the organisation that co-ordinates some parts of the workings of some European countries. For some purposes (like meetings on scientific or commercial issues) it's the most commonly used working language: for others (like asking a huissier in the Commission offices to do anything) it's less use than pidgin Eskimo.
The European Union has a score of official languages. Officially, English has no superior status to Maltese or Latvian. Legislation needs to be in most, or for some purposes all, twenty or so languages.
It's a depressing commentary on modern education to observe how few posters in this thread have the faintest idea what an official language actually is.
Apr 15th, 2005, 09:02 AM
#86
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"It's a depressing commentary on modern education..."
I think at least part of the problem is that there's so much more <u>to</u> know than ever before that educators don't know where to begin. I would suggest basic competency in language, logic, and science - but what do I know?
I think at least part of the problem is that there's so much more <u>to</u> know than ever before that educators don't know where to begin. I would suggest basic competency in language, logic, and science - but what do I know?
