Abstract
How can English be seen as a threat to the other languages of Europe if the European Union’s institutions ensure the equality of the languages of the member states? Moreover, the EU is committed to maintaining linguistic diversity and member states are under an obligation to ‘respect cultural, religious and linguistic diversity’ in The Charter of Fundamental Rights (Article 22), agreed on by heads of state and incorporated into the Draft Constitutional Treaty (currently on hold as a result of the French and Dutch referenda).
Did you know that you have to start at the age of six and you have to stick at it until you're twelve at least (…) And from the very first day you go, you’ll not hear one word of Irish spoken. You’ll be taught to speak English and every subject will be taught through English and everyone’ll end up as cute as the Buncrana people. (Friel 1984: 395)
The study of the deeds of our ancestors is thus more than an antiquarian pastime, it is an immunological precaution. (Eco 1997: 316)
The only true voyage of discovery, the only really rejuvenating experience, would be not to visit strange lands but to possess other eyes…. (Proust 1982: 260)
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British Council — www.BritishCouncil.org
De Nederlandse Taalunie — taalunieversum.org
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© 2007 Robert Phillipson
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Phillipson, R. (2007). English in Europe: Threat or Promise?. In: Craith, M.N. (eds) Language, Power and Identity Politics. Palgrave Studies in Minority Languages and Communities. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230592841_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230592841_4
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