Model Conference
of the Faculty of International Relations
Cultural Section
Cultural Policy of the European Union
Position of United Kingdom on Language Policy of European Union
Statement to the Third Draft
Bratislava, 15.02.2015
Model Conference of the Faculty of International Relations
Cultural Section: Statement 3
Model Conference of the Faculty of International Relations
on the Cultural Policy of the European Union
We, the delegation of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, would like to
express our gratitude for being invited to the discussion on topic of Language Policy of European Union
on Model Conference of Faculty of International Relations. We are looking forward to cultivate fruitful
dialogue and cooperation with delegations of
Federative Republic of Germany,
France,
Kingdom of Belgium,
and the countries of V4:
Czech Republic,
Hungary,
Republic of Poland and
Slovak Republic.
We recognize the importance of linguistic diversity, cultural identity and multilingual policy as
well as efficiency and economic aspect of the process of decision-making and administrative
procedures. Our country also adopted active attitude towards the integration of multilingual approach
into teaching and learning by implementation of the National Languages Strategy. We highly respect
every language as an inseparable part of culture and the right of every individual to its promotion and
representation. However, we would like to underline that international dialogues are not only about
speaking one’s mind, they are mainly about understanding different points of view and effective spread
of information. From our position, the current lack of single language policy does not seem to be
optimal long-term solution neither in financial terms nor in terms of facilitating the communication and
effective decision-making.
Previous negotiations were held in the belief that we can find a common solution satisfactory to
each side. As far as we are concerned the topic of use of Esperanto language had been previously
discussed on the floor of the Cultural Section of Model Conference and subsequently dismissed by all
the delegations as well as the topic of unilinguism itself. As we understood, we are currently balancing
between two options: usage of 24 official languages and implementation of trilinguism. Our delegation
already made a vast concession when decided to support English, French and German as working
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Model Conference of the Faculty of International Relations
Cultural Section: Statement 3
languages. If we decide to restore the subject of Esperanto in the next discussion, the delegation of
United Kingdom of Great Britain and North Ireland will return to support the usage of English as Lingua
Franca due to the many advantages it has in relation to Esperanto. The first and the most important
one is the financial, logistic and time aspects of the efficiency of its implementation.
Using English as a lingua franca in Europe does not inhibit linguistic diversity, and it unites more
than it divides, simply because it may be "owned" by all Europeans - not as a cultural symbol, but a
means of enabling understanding. Moreover, this language is nowadays widely spread and spoken
among non-native English speakers, in other words it is "de-nativised". Soon, English will not be closely
linked to a specific culture anymore, this means, it would not be antagonistic to the vision of multicultural
European Union. English as a lingua franca would be nothing more than a suitable instrument used as
"language for communication", as channel that acquires substance with the different national, regional,
local and individual cultural identities its speakers bring to it. English itself does not carry such an
identities, it is not a "language for identification". English has a great potential for promoting international
understanding because of the variety of functional uses of global English. Moreover, use English as
lingua franca would strengthen the Euro-Atlantic partnership. During the future negotiations, we would
like to focus on specific solution of the implementation of the three languages and its financial aspects.
The position of United Kingdom on the budgetary part of discussion is clear – the costs spent
on activities related with translating and interpreting to every single national language we find vastly
exorbitant. Increased spending on world's largest translation bureau has its roots in a principle of
interpreting every speech given and every document or decision written to all of 24 Unions official
languages. And as more countries have become part of the EU, the number of official and working
languages will be increasing. By considering the current situation, it becomes clear that if one
communicated only with one language, these logistical costs would not exist. The sources invested into
this section could be used more reasonably, for example for educational systems raising language and
cultural awareness in member states of European Union.
Despite all of the arguments in favour of using English as Lingua franca, we would like to persist in
the position we agreed on earlier – the implementation of the trilinguism in the working routine of
European Union. In this point we would like to rise as an argument the current reality in European Union
– the habit of using English, French and German as working languages in everyday functioning of
almost all the activities. With this rule, we would be able to avoid faults, inaccuracies and
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Model Conference of the Faculty of International Relations
Cultural Section: Statement 3
misunderstandings emerging from imprecise translations. Many EU officials doubt their accuracy and
openly prefer to read the more reliable English and French originals. Furthermore, it would be much
easier for intercultural communication if one talked only in one language. These three language are also
commonly used as operating language in other spheres and fields related to European Union –
business, economy, science etc. This fact could make the cooperation with other sectors faster, easier,
more efficient and also transparent. One common language is a necessity if the EU is to have an
opportunity to become in force on the scale of the USA or a rising China.
We believe that our dialogue and discussion would be held in a good faith towards one decision
suitable and satisfactory not only for states participating on Model Conference, but for every member
state of European Union as well as for European Union as international organization.
The delegation of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
In Bratislava, 15.02.2015
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Model Conference of the Faculty of International Relations
Cultural Section: Statement 3
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