Why doe the EU not use English?

ILW

The rest of the world use English as a common language of business. Why not Brussels? Could save a fortune in printing and translations.

Generali

ILW wrote: »

The rest of the world use English as a common language of business. Why not Brussels? Could save a fortune in printing and translations.

Because they have no interest in saving money.

It would probably be cheaper than the current set-up to have Polish or Dutch as the lingua franca of the EU but then the French and Portuguese would whinge.

In EUland it's better to avoid arguments than to run a bureaucracy in a simple and efficient way.

Don't believe for a moment that Britain is the only country that hates the EU. If you talk to French people in cafes (of the Daily Mail type) they hate the EU every bit as much as the British and for all the same reasons.

Politicians love it as do a few citizens. Most people hate it because the EU banned cheese or pints or sardines. The fact that they didn't is neither here nor there.

Sampong

Generali wrote: »

Because they have no interest in saving money.

Never a truer word spoken!

michaels

However given that English is the lingua franca in Europe these days anyway it would be a great sop to the British towards the Tories referendum negotiation if the 'revised deal' made English the official language with all the associated 'savings' that would bring* whilst slipping in a load of federalist stuff at the same time.


* Although English would be the official language all EU particiapnts would still have an automatic right to receive any document in the language of their choice

atush

It may be these days, but it used to be French (which is why the UN uses French) as it was the international language of diplomacy.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

Generali wrote: »

Most people hate it because the EU banned cheese or pints or sardines. The fact that they didn't is neither here nor there.

Very true.

N1AK

ILW wrote: »

The rest of the world use English as a common language of business. Why not Brussels? Could save a fortune in printing and translations.

For the same reason that we'd be resistant to using French even if it was a more widely used language than English. Not everyone involved with the EU will speak one language so translation will still be required. German has the most native speakers in Europe so why not settle on that and not print anything in English, French etc?

atush

English is used in business, as most european kids now learn it in school. So many already know it, and those that use something a little more obscure than French or German like Danish or Dutch are well aware that most others will not speak it.

I learned French at school in the late 70's as it was the international language at the time. I should have probably though, learned Spanish instead as more of the world speak it incl many in the USA now.

ILW

In international circles, English tends to be a common language of business and finance. Is the EU being rather inward looking in not embracing this?

bryanb

Numerically we should all learn Mandarin.

Even the English have trouble using English these days.

StevieJ

Generali wrote: »

Because they have no interest in saving money.

Same in the UK, have you have been to Wales with all those road signs in Welsh (and Polish for that matter :eek:).