The writer had visited the British Council in Kuala Lumpur to get some more insights about the language issue in the European Union. The writer managed to interview two European Union member state’s citizens who are Serafima Bogomolova and Ewa Lee and unfortunately both of them are British nationals. Bogomolova is an editor in an online media known as avantoure.com while Lee is an export manager of Proton Holdings Berhad.
There are six questions being asked to these Europeans and they both have different opinions. The first question tries to get their thought on whether they agree if EU chooses only a single working language in their institutions for example choosing English since it is widely used around the world? Bogomolova thinks that it will be very beneficial if it concerns the single working language in the EU. At the same time, each member state of the EU may retain their national language for the usage outside of the so called ‘working’ institutions for example culture such as in theater, cinema, books and etc. Lee in his respond prefers that every member state to maintain their national language in the institution.
The second question tries to observe on how they view the concept of Europe in relation to language usage. Whether English for example is not enough European in their view? Bogomolova responds that English is very European and since so many people use it to communicate across the globe, so why not it is being used as a ‘working’ language in the EU? The second respondent Lee said that he has no preference in this matter.
The third question posed to them sounds like say if they are staffs who work in the EU institutions, would they agree to use only a single working language? Bogomolova believes that most of people especially young generations working in the EU institutions would not object, however older ones will because some of them do not have a good command in English or other member states’ languages. In this case, they would just need to be sent for example to an EU funded courses to improve their skills in English. Lee answers that it depends on what level of the staffs in the institutions. He prefers a single and a common working language within institutions.
The fourth question asks them whether they prefer their national language to be the only working language of the EU institutions or perhaps other language which is not related to France or Britain if it would mean political supremacy of these member states. Bogomolova agrees with this though she is a Russian by mother tongue and she has been in Britain since the past 15 years and as the matter of fact the cost of translating the documents into languages would be more than just using a single and common working language. Lee does not agree with this and he thinks that translator facilities should always be at its place.
The fifth question is that how far they think the EU language policy of diversity in languages could be influenced by founding fathers of the EU for example France, Germany, or Britain? Bogomolova in her respond mentions that 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 speaking, who is going to learn French or German for an international working language if not only for the EU as a regional organization? Not so many I guess, since English naturally became the one that everyone learns and communicates on when coming from different cultural background. Mainly of course some people might speak languages but not all of the people are language genius. Lee in his short and hasty respond says that the influence has no place but practical solution need to be sought.
The sixth question trying to get their view whether the interest of EU founding member states for their language to be used in institutions for example in legal field would raise conflict for the EU and other member states? Lee thinks that there is no such thing while Bogomolova believes that it will bring conflicts between EU and member states.
The seventh and final questions regarding the issue of France setting up official custodians for France, Bogomolova says that the French are making King Cnut looks like Noddy. If they could guillotine the users of English, one day perhaps everyone first language will be a mixture of English, Chinese, Russian, Spanish or Chinese while French will be a dead and dismissed dialect. She further says that we could only thank God that English has no language police. Lee in his respond says that France will be going down the pan. He believes that France is acting silly.
