1. What is your opinion if the EU chooses only one single working language, for example choosing English as the working language since it is widely used around the world?
A: I think it will be very beneficial if it concerns the single working language in EU, at the same time each member of the EU can retain their own language for the usage outside of so called ‘working’ institutions. Like culture (theatre, cinema, books, etc.)
2. How do you view the concept of Europe in relation the language usage? English is not enough European in your view?
A: English is very European, and since so many people use it to communicate across the globe why not to use it as a ‘working’ language in the EU.
3. Say if you are staffs who work in the EU institutions, would you agree to use only a single working language?
A: I think most of people especially young generations working in EU institutions would not object, however older ones will, cause some of them do not have a good command of English. In this case they would just need to be sent on EU funded courses to improve their skills in English.
4. Do you prefer your own national language to be the working language of the EU institutions, English, or perhaps other language which is not related to France or Britain?
A: No I would not ☺ My native tongue is Russian and I have lived for the past 15 years in EU countries where I used English only.
5. How far do you think the EU language policy of diversity in languages could be influenced by founding fathers of the EU for example France, Germany or Britain?
A: Well, it can be influenced quite a lot, especially so if one of those countries can be narrow minded or stubborn in their own way or viewing things only through prism of their own language… Honestly who is going to learn French or German for an international working language? Not mane, cause naturally English became the one everyone learns and communicates on when coming from different cultures (mainly of course… some people might know more languages though).
6. Do you think that their interests would raises up conflict for the EU and national interests?
A: Yes I think so… see above.
Name: Serafima Bogomolova
Nationality: Russian with British citizenship
Organization: Online media (www.avantoure.com)
A: I think it will be very beneficial if it concerns the single working language in EU, at the same time each member of the EU can retain their own language for the usage outside of so called ‘working’ institutions. Like culture (theatre, cinema, books, etc.)
2. How do you view the concept of Europe in relation the language usage? English is not enough European in your view?
A: English is very European, and since so many people use it to communicate across the globe why not to use it as a ‘working’ language in the EU.
3. Say if you are staffs who work in the EU institutions, would you agree to use only a single working language?
A: I think most of people especially young generations working in EU institutions would not object, however older ones will, cause some of them do not have a good command of English. In this case they would just need to be sent on EU funded courses to improve their skills in English.
4. Do you prefer your own national language to be the working language of the EU institutions, English, or perhaps other language which is not related to France or Britain?
A: No I would not ☺ My native tongue is Russian and I have lived for the past 15 years in EU countries where I used English only.
5. How far do you think the EU language policy of diversity in languages could be influenced by founding fathers of the EU for example France, Germany or Britain?
A: Well, it can be influenced quite a lot, especially so if one of those countries can be narrow minded or stubborn in their own way or viewing things only through prism of their own language… Honestly who is going to learn French or German for an international working language? Not mane, cause naturally English became the one everyone learns and communicates on when coming from different cultures (mainly of course… some people might know more languages though).
6. Do you think that their interests would raises up conflict for the EU and national interests?
A: Yes I think so… see above.
Name: Serafima Bogomolova
Nationality: Russian with British citizenship
Organization: Online media (www.avantoure.com)
