This article and this article offer some compelling arguments for embracing multilingualism in the EU. As globalization continues to reach many different nations and locales, the arguments will most likely take on a broader scope, encompassing not only Europe, but other parts of the world that offer heavy economic competition. For more EU language articles from this site, click here.

...If we want a more stable and integrated EU, knowledge of different cultures and languages must be a clear and achievable aim.

We need to promote multilingualism and language learning to improve personal cognitive skills, to reflect Europe’s true identity, and to better communicate and bring people closer together.

In a multilingual Europe, learning languages can be an opportunity. For individuals, it can be an open door to a better career, to the chance of living, studying or working abroad.

For companies, multilingual staff are a necessity of global markets. But multilingualism is more than this.

The language a person speaks is part of their identity and culture. So learning languages means understanding other people and their way of thinking, and encourages a more open approach to other cultures and outlooks. Furthermore, it means opposing racism, xenophobia and intolerance.

Tags: multilingual | multilingualism | language