The Commission?s announcement of the 28 portfolios has confirmed the decreasing interest in multilingualism at EU level. The Commission has gone from having one entire portfolio on Multilingualism (Leonard Orban, 2007-2010), to a Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth (Androulla Vassiliou, 2010-2014), to no portfolio on Multilingualism.
In the Commission?s recent press release (1) announcing the new team, the Commission notes that the current unit dealing with Multilingualism Policy; Skills and Qualification Strategy will move from DG Education and Culture to DG Employment. NPLD completely shares the Commission?s view of stimulating growth and jobs in the current economic and social scenario and believes that languages can greatly contribute to stimulate Europe?s economy. We wish to note, however, that all European languages ? EU official languages but also regional, minority or small-state languages ? serve for much more than for economic purposes. The new Commission?s focuson multilingualism gives a utilitarian, market-oriented approach to the languages of Europe, which will only prioritize big, hegemonic languages and will leave a remarkable number of lesser-used languages ? small-state, regional or minority languages ? aside.
The European Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity (NPLD) ? an organisation working to promote Constitutional, Regional and Lesser-used languages in Europe ? wishes to convey its deepest concern on this exclusively utilitarian approach. By taking this decision, the European Commission not only neglects Europe?s linguistic communities but also ignores the numerous initiatives adopted by the European Parliament, such the resolution on Endangered Languages and Linguistic Diversity (2) passed on the 11th of September 2013 by an overwhelming 92% of members, which claimed a stronger EU support and funding to promote Europe?s small language communities.
The future of European languages, especially those in a less favourable situation, depends in large part on the way local, national and European institutions act. An inclusive European language policy must allow for the recognition and equitable organisation of the continent?s linguistic diversity, considering languages as key elements for the social and economic development of all the peoples of Europe ? regardless of political status or size ? and as a medium for intercultural dialogue.
Jannewietske de Vries
NPLD President
(1) http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-984_en.htm
(2) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2013/2007(INI)&l=en