English losing its importance?

[Bubbles]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39816044

Really ? 

[Sriram]

I don't think so. French seems to have had more importance in the past than it is having now. Even I, in India, chose French as a third language in the 60's (don't remember a word of it!). I don't think that option even exists now.

[Nearly Sane]

The point being surely that the UK leaving reduces the impiratance of English as a language in the EU? Also the remarks are a little 'pince-sans-rire'

[wigginhall]

Wait for the tabloids to shout, 'Hands off our language'.  'Vote Tory to keep English triumphant'.   'We're leaving the EU so that English can ...'.   Hang on, malfunction here.

[SusanDoris]

I heard that briefly on Radio 4. The man is deluding himself!! Whether he likes it or not, English is the common language around the world; the one which, as I understand it, is one that people most choose to learn apart from their own, since they know it will enable them to communicate with most other people travelling around the world.

Those who do not study another language, and equally important, some of the literature of that country, are missing something I think, as it is not quite the same as reading translations.   

[Nearly Sane]

I heard that briefly on Radio 4. The man is deluding himself!! Whether he likes it or not, English is the common language around the world; the one which, as I understand it, is one that people most choose to learn apart from their own, since they know it will enable them to communicate with most other people travelling around the world.

Those who do not study another language, and equally important, some of the literature of that country, are missing something I think, as it is not quite the same as reading translations.

He specifically said in Europe which given Brexit is surely just factual. And that's leaving aside the obvious tone of humour in the remark.

[Sriram]

Surprisingly, we found English was quite widely spoken all over Europe when we visited recently.  We could manage very well with English everywhere. Something I did not find a few decades ago.  Though of course, I don't know how much French is known by the common folk in Germany, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium Switzerland etc., compared to English. 

Also, most immigrants and other people from across the world who have made Europe their home would perhaps know more English than French.

[wigginhall]

I thought it was a deliberate wind-up.  He is waiting for the tabloid headlines, 'Vote Tory to save English and defeat EU bastards'. 

[ad_orientem]

He specifically said in Europe which given Brexit is surely just factual. And that's leaving aside the obvious tone of humour in the remark.

I suppose that depends where in Europe. I can't see English losing its value here in the Nordic countries. It might be otherwise in southern Europe where English is met with some hostility and English programmes on tv are always dubbed.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Wait for the tabloids to shout, 'Hands off our language'.  'Vote Tory to keep English triumphant'.   'We're leaving the EU so that English can ...'.   Hang on, malfunction here.

I think you are right to suggest the Tories as the English Party, with 'nout to offer but more Englishness and a chance to defend Englishness. What happens to parties who just offer Englishness.....just look at UKIP.

Hopefully the Blessed Theresa marks the zenith of Dear leaderism and the English Fuhrerprincip.

[BeRational]

I work for a European company and English is required at a certain level.

We have monthly meetings, and luckily for me it has to be in English only.

[Harrowby Hall]

I think that Juncker was talking specifically about the bureaucracy of the European Union. In the various departments of the EU, without the United Kingdom,  Eire and possibly Malta will be the only countries for whom English would be required for translation purposes - putting it at about the same level od demand as, say, Danish.

That English is effectively the world's lingua franca is another matter.

[floo]

I suspect more people on this planet can speak the English language than any other. Having said that I think Britain is losing its role in the world, and more so once the Brexit nonsense is completed.

[jeremyp]

I think that Juncker was talking specifically about the bureaucracy of the European Union.

He was actually making a joke.

In the various departments of the EU, without the United Kingdom,  Eire and possibly Malta will be the only countries for whom English would be required for translation purposes - putting it at about the same level od demand as, say, Danish.

That English is effectively the world's lingua franca is another matter.

English will remain as one of the three official languages because it is the one that everybody learns at school.

[Harrowby Hall]

I think that Juncker was talking specifically about the bureaucracy of the European Union.

He was actually making a joke

.

I think that Wigg's point that it was a wind-up is accurate. But a joke? Has he admitted this? I thought that Luxembourgeois didn't do humour.

[john]

Incidentally....

The Worlds top ten spoken languages in descending order are;

Mandarin
Spanish
English
Hindu
Arabic
Portuguese
Bengali
Russian
Japanese
Punjabi.

No mention of French you note.

English is the most WRITTEN language because Chinese, Arabic, Indian letter symbols don't work too well on typewriters and computers.

English is generally considered to be the most influential language as it is the one most used across the widest range of countries, they even speak a version of it in America! 

[BeRational]

I suspect more people on this planet can speak the English language than any other. Having said that I think Britain is losing its role in the world, and more so once the Brexit nonsense is completed.

English is important because America speaks it, not because we do.

[floo]

Incidentally....

The Worlds top ten spoken languages in descending order are;

Mandarin
Spanish
English
Hindu
Arabic
Portuguese
Bengali
Russian
Japanese
Punjabi.

No mention of French you note.

English is the most WRITTEN language because Chinese, Arabic, Indian letter symbols don't work too well on typewriters and computers.

English is generally considered to be the most influential language as it is the one most used across the widest range of countries, they even speak a version of it in America!

A very strange version!

[Harrowby Hall]

John

Your list would have been accurate had you specified that it was a list of first languages spoken. I would like clarification of this point from Sriram, but I believe that in India although Hindi (not Hindu - that is a religion) is the principal language, there are so many other languages spoken that English is used as a lingua franca.

In the Philippines, the principal language is Tagalog but English is the everyday language of commerce, government and education.

Had your list reflected language usage rather than first language then English would be at the top of your list.

[Sriram]

John

Your list would have been accurate had you specified that it was a list of first languages spoken. I would like clarification of this point from Sriram, but I believe that in India although Hindi (not Hindu - that is a religion) is the principal language, there are so many other languages spoken that English is used as a lingua franca.

In the Philippines, the principal language is Tagalog but English is the everyday language of commerce, government and education.

Had your list reflected language usage rather than first language then English would be at the top of your list.

Yes...Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India but that is mostly because of the northern belt. In most other states such as in the south, east and west, Hindi is not commonly spoken. In fact, in the south, Hindi is opposed vehemently  by Tamil speaking people.

The language issue is still not resolved. Most states want a two language formula with English and the local state language to be used. The center wants Hindi also to be a third language.

But English is by and large the official language as things stand and not likely to change as most people want English. It helps them to study abroad and work with people in other countries. 

So...with India, America, Canada, Australia and of course Britain...English seems to be firmly entrenched as the global language. 

[Harrowby Hall]

Thank you very much, Sriram.

[jeremyp]

.

I think that Wigg's point that it was a wind-up is accurate. But a joke? Has he admitted this? I thought that Luxembourgeois didn't do humour.

I imagine some Luxembourgeois do humour and some don't. It's pretty thin to argue a case based on somebody conforming to a national stereotype.

[wigginhall]

I thought he had a rep as a bit of a joker.  In the same speech, he seems to start bragging about the Luxembourg army, which now totals 771 men, including the minister of defence.  Well, not very funny, but he's trying.  I was trying to imagine May's face if he started doing a dead-pan routine with her.