The writer has checked that EU actually has a specific policy or rules regarding the language usage in the institution (EU4Journalists, 2011). EU is trying to promote multilingualism and it is between institutions such as the Council, the Commission, and the Parliament. Its purpose is to make sure that the officials could communicate better among each other.
However, among member states they still have their own language policy. The writer was also curious to know that why the EU does not use a uniform working language for example English as it is widely spoken, not only in the EU but also around the world. All of the member states in the Union wanted their national language to be used in the documents and meetings in the EU level. They wanted their language to be preserved and used in the conferences and there are currently 27 member states.
From the article published in the Telegraph, the writer noticed that France has set up a custodian to curb English intervention in French and to ban the usage of English in their territory (Jamieson, 2010). They are quite fierce regarding their national language compared to the British but their language is still not widely used. Recently, France had just removed the restriction to learn new foreign language. Before this, migrants in France could also learn their mother tongue, but the government had cancelled the program due to that, the program was not in accordance to the Fifth Principle of the French Revolution in order to promote One French.
The writer has this opinion that it is not easy to understand the decision-making of EU when it also consists of different member states which still work within their territories and they could also choose to apply certain policy made by the EU or abandon it. The case of France is quite interesting to be taken into the note as the writer thinks that nationalism is still strong in the European Union while it is a regional organization which gathers the member states to be a unified polity. Ironically, the EU clearly shows that the policy for multilingualism is there but member states themselves could not tolerate each other or even their minorities’ languages within the bound of their territory. For example, France does not tolerate Brezhoneg which is a native language in Brittany and English which is the most popular foreign language not only in Europe but also around the world. Another question also emerges, is there any treaty which clearly shows the reference to a common language policy or multilingualism policy? To answer the question, every member state would say that they are abiding to European Language Policy rules. However, when we ask member states’ citizen regarding the policy on language, they do not really aware that there is a European Language Policy as it looks like they never notice it.
In the case of France, the writer observes that they seem opposing the UK in the term of culture, political, and polity issue. The writer thought that when they are in the Union, they supposedly to be in common but the France is still with past enmity and nationalism. While the UK is always a multicultural nation as it also encourages the learning of French language in its education system. Further question emerges. Why France has to practice dirigisme or centrism in its language policy? Is it because of the influence of English from the UK is penetrating its citizen in their daily life through their thinking or their speech? Or is it because it is against their Revolution where the immigrants would take their political model of assimilation when immigrants would never practice French but their mother tongue or speaking in English as it is easier?
Outside of EU context, for example Malaysia, it has a clause in the constitution which is known as article 152 regarding the position of Malay language as the national language. Malay is strictly used in governmental documentation while for private sectors, private, media, and for legislative usage, English and other languages are being used. The difference between Malaysia and EU is that, EU is a regional organization and it is not a country like Malaysia. Member states could still exercise their sovereignty regarding matters such as national language and nationalism. Then, how could the EU maintain the unity in diversity if the member states for example France could not tolerate the language of each other? The issue is not only happens in France, but also in Germany as well as Holland. However, Germany and Holland sentiment toward their national language and culture is not as strong as the sentiment of France because they still permit their citizen to learn and practicing other languages.
United Kingdom (UK) for example is not so strong in its language policy and it still tolerates other languages to be taught and spoken within its territory. It also benefits its citizen as its citizen could converse in other languages for example French or German thus bringing more profits for the country so language is not really an issue in the UK. The writer personally thinks that it is silly to ignore English since it has already been recognized globally and how could France survive, dodging English and being isolated because people around the world and not only in the Union feel that English could be used and more effective as their tool of communication among each other? The writer also thinks that English is being a nightmare for the France in the EU as French is used for legislative purpose or other working session. If France permits English to be used widely in its territory or in EU official dealings, it will show that the Anglo-Saxon had won over them. The language serves France political demands in the Union too and it is not merely a language issue.
While outside of the EU, the United States (US) is influencing the world with English. In unipolar world today, English sure has its values and a must as it is agreed to be a medium for international dealings. The role of English in globalization era shows political influence where media becomes the agent to spread English as a worldwide culture through Americanism. Perhaps, this is why major a state in the EU, for example France as one of them is trying to avoid the usage of English as to protect their national language from being extinct.
Another angle which could be analyzed with the regard to this issue is the discussion on level of institutions which are the parliament, council and commission. There is also discussion in member states’ level and within national parliaments regarding language policy and issues. There is a need to differentiate discussions on all of these levels and their explanations. Language issue in the EU has three levels. The first level is between institutions. The second level is between member states. The third level is within the individual state itself.
As for the argument, we might also see no problem since the learning of foreign language is still going on in most of EU member states. But the case of France is quite unique because it has relation with patriotism, nationalism and it is linked to their history which predates the Union establishment. It is not simple to get the solution for the issue when looking at French attitude and sentiment toward their language and culture, even within the EU framework.
France has restricted the usage of native Brittany minority language and promoting French as the medium for unification among citizens. So, what does multilingualism in the EU Language Policy means for the France?
Usually, this will be seen as a one way level which only happens between EU member states level and not further between member state and EU institutions. Each member states, especially the founding fathers are trying to influence the EU regarding language issue in the institutions and official events. France as an example is trying to impose the ban on English and it sometimes reaching the EU level and not only in its territory. Language is a political issue too.
