Brussels, 31/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - Presenting the Group of Intellectuals' report on the contribution of multilingualism to Intercultural Dialogue, led by Mr Amin Maalouf, the European Commission expressed its support on Thursday 31 January for the idea of learning a "personal adoptive language". This language would not be one's mother tongue or English, the language that predominates in the workplace and which is almost compulsory today, but rather, a kind of second mother tongue, chosen because of its cultural and vocational affinities and other reasons. Although member states are orientating their citizens in this direction, Europe will highlight the cultural and linguistic richness of learning another language at a time when the danger of English is benefiting from a linguistic monopoly. This approach will also facilitate a particularly enriching dialogue between people form different linguistic communities and add another skill to the curriculum vitae of job seekers. It will also help promote better integration of immigrants in their host countries via the learning of the language in which they have chosen to settle. Native speakers are expected to turn mainly to the languages of their immigrant populations, which as the report explains, could help relations between the different communities. Leonard Orban, the European Commissioner for multilingualism affirmed, “The approach advocated by the Group of Intellectuals will trigger debate in this year of intercultural dialogue..."The proposals submitted are in tune with the wish expressed by EU heads of state and government in Barcelona in 2002 to include 'mother tongue plus two' languages in EU education. A good knowledge of other languages builds bridges and promotes understanding between cultures."
Two main points can be highlighted in the proposals in the report baptised, “A rewarding challenge”: 1) Bilateral relations between the EU countries should hinge on the languages of the two countries involved rather than on a third language. Each country should have enough proficient speakers of the others' languages; 2) The EU should promote the concept of a “personal adoptive language”, to be seen as a “second mother tongue” with every European citizen being motivated to learn one. It would need to be part and parcel of everyone's school education/university studies and professional life, closely linked to aspects involving history, culture and literature. This adopted language would not normally be the one used for international communication. In an effort to support this linguistic diversity, countries would have to set up a common organisation entrusted with the task of promoting knowledge of each other's language and culture. Mr Maalouf asserted that when it comes to building a Union between different peoples, it means benefiting from this Union to preserve and make differences special and not abandon one's language or culture. A big inter-ministerial conference will take place on 15 February during which the report will be presented to the national representatives. In September, the Commission will adopt a communication in which it will present its strategy on multilingualism, on the basis of conclusions in the current report, in collaboration with all the different stakeholders, the European Parliament and national parliaments, explained Mr Orban. The report is available in 22 languages at: (http: //ec.europa.eu/education/policies/lang/languages_en.html). (I.L.)