Regional minority and other EU languages Iryna Biskub

Regional, minority and other EU languages Iryna Biskub

EU official languages • • • Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, • • • German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, • Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, • Slovenian, • Spanish, • Swedish. • •

Other official languages used in EU countries • Languages including Valencian/Catalan, Basque, Galician and Welsh will be covered by special rules in future. • Arrangements are being negotiated with the countries concerned, which will bear the costs themselves.

Information types & language policy • Legislation & key political documents Published in all EU official languages. • Official documents Available in at least those languages that had official EU status on the date of publication. Documents that are not legally binding are usually published in English, French and German.

Information types & language policy • General information Published in all EU official languages. • Urgent or short-lived information Appears in a single language initially, given the specific target audience. Other languages may be added later, depending on user needs. • Specialised information (technical info, campaigns, calls for tender) & news / events Available in a restricted number of languages or even just one – the choice depends on the target audience.

What role does the EU play in promoting languages? • The European Commission is very keen to promote language learning and linguistic diversity across Europe so as to improve basic language skills. • It is working with national governments to meet an ambitious goal: enabling citizens to communicate in 2 languages other than their mother tongue. • This "Barcelona objective" was agreed in 2002 by the EU's heads of state and government.

EU LAW • P 7_TA(2013)0350 • Endangered European languages and linguistic diversity • European Parliament resolution of 11 September 2013 on endangered European languages and linguistic diversity in the European Union (2013/2007(INI)) • (2016/C 093/07) • http: //eur-lex. europa. eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/? qid=1520270193234&uri=CELE X: 52013 IP 0350

Endangered European languages and linguistic diversity • A. whereas the objective of safeguarding and promoting each and every facet of the European Union’s cultural and linguistic heritage has been bolstered under the Lisbon Treaty; • B. whereas linguistic and cultural diversity is one of the fundamental principles of the European Union, as enshrined in Article 22 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which reads: ‘The Union shall respect cultural, religious and linguistic diversity’;

Endangered European languages and linguistic diversity • C. whereas linguistic diversity is acknowledged as a citizen’s right in Articles 21 and 22 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which means that trying to establish the exclusivity of a language is a restriction and a violation of the fundamental values of the Union; • D. whereas endangered languages should be conceived as part of the European cultural heritage, and not as a vehicle for political, ethnic or territorial aspirations;

Endangered European languages and linguistic diversity • E. whereas all of Europe’s languages are equal in value and worthiness, form an integral part of its cultures and civilisations and contribute to the enrichment of humanity; • F. whereas cohesive multilingual societies that manage their linguistic diversity democratically and sustainably help to foster plurality and are more open and better placed to form part of the richness that linguistic diversity represents;

Endangered European languages and linguistic diversity • G. whereas all languages, including those which are endangered, reflect historical, social and cultural knowledge and skills, and a mentality and a style of creativity, that form part of the richness and diversity of the European Union and the basis of the European identity; thus the linguistic diversity and the presence of endangered languages within a country should be seen as an asset instead of burden, and so should be supported and promoted;

Linguistic Diversity • The European Union's aspiration to be united in diversity underpins the whole European project. • The harmonious co-existence of many languages in Europe embodies this. • Languages can build bridges between people, giving us access to other countries and cultures, and enabling us to understand each other better.

Linguistic Diversity • A successful multilingualism policy can strengthen the life chances of citizens: it may - increase their employability, - facilitate access to services and rights, - contribute to solidarity through enhanced intercultural dialogue and social cohesion.

Linguistic Diversity • The EU now has 500 million citizens, 28 Member States, 3 alphabets and 24 official languages. • Some of them with a worldwide coverage. • Some 60 other languages are also part of the EU's heritage and are spoken in specific regions or by specific groups.

Linguistic Diversity • In addition, immigrants have brought a wide range of languages with them. • It is estimated that at least 175 nationalities are now present within the EU’s borders.

Language Policy • EU citizens can contact the European Commission in any of the official languages of the EU. Basic principles EU citizens should • be able to get information about what the EU is doing • have access to EU law in a language they can understand • be able to participate in the law-making process of the EU • Europeans have a right to know what is being done in their name. They must also be able to play an active part without having to learn other languages. • Using as many national languages as possible makes the EU and its institutions more open and effective.

Regional & minority languages • The EU is home to over 60 indigenous regional or minority languages, spoken by some 40 millionpeople. • They include: - Basque, - Catalan, - Frisian, - Saami, - Welsh - Yiddish.

Examples: The Basque Language • Basque – a language of mystery: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=S 1 l 9 o. Di. Si. E Q • What does Basques sound like: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=7 Fo. Lq 20 B 8 VM

Examples: The Frisian Language • Why does Frisia have its own language? https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=YBRHp. MN e. Tc. Y

Examples: The Sami Languages • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=rd 4 s. Hz 9 8 VI 8

Conclusion • While it is national governments that determine these languages' legal status and the extent to which they receive support, the European Commission maintains an open dialogue, encouraging linguistic diversity to the extent possible. • Erasmus+ , a new EU programme that encompasses education and training, is a potential source of funds for initiatives to protect and promote the teaching and learning of minority languages.