English-Only Europe?: Challenging Language Policy

by Robert Phillipson

English-Only Europe? explores the role of languages in the process of European integration. Languages are central to the development of an integrated Europe. The way in which the European Union deals with multilingualism has serious implications for both individual member countries and international relations. In this book, Robert Phillipson considers whether the contemporary expansion of English represents a serious threat to other European languages. After exploring the implications of current policies, Phillipson argues the case for more active language policies to safeguard a multilingual Europe. Drawing on examples of countries with explicit language policies such as Canada and South Africa, the book sets out Phillipson's vision of an inclusive language policy for Europe, and describes how it can be attained.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Language

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2003

About the author

Robert Phillipson is Emeritus Professor at Copenhagen Business School, Denmark. His books have been published in twelve countries. He has also edited books on language rights and multilingual education. He was awarded the UNESCO Linguapax prize in 2010. He functions as an expert for the European Commission on language policy.

Reviews

[EvaLovesYA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Also posted on Eva Lucias blog

The globalisation of the English language has been described as the primary reason for “linguistic imperialism”, which can operate with sexism, racism or classism. Naturally, there has been a debate whether the globalization of the English language is the reason for smaller languages dying out and losing their value. The question is: should children learn English from a young age with or without their mothertongue? Which language should dominate their life?

Robert Phillipson claims that:
“minority language speakers are victims of linguicism if their languages have no place in the education system”.

However, if you teach children a global language and their mother-tongue from a small age with the proper education and knowledge, they will be able to speak their original language and a global language, and then the term “powerful bilingualism” becomes relevant.

Two-thirds of the children of the world grow up in a bilingual environment, furthermore it is easier to learn two languages from a young age than later on e.g. in the teenage years. Therefore, if there is an additional focus on the education of children concerning bilingualism, it will develop them in competence and furthermore, it will make the communication even better world-wide.

This is an interesting source which makes the mind wander about the possibilities of the globalization of the English language, and whether or not it is a good thing.

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[Mónica Licea · Rating 4 out of 5]

« La communication entre les hommes pour qui l’anglais est la langue maternelle et ceux pour qui il est une langue étrangère ou une deuxième langue, est asymétrique, souvent au désavantage de ces derniers. Cette inégalité dans la communication est passée sous le silence quand on dit que l’anglais est une lingua franca, car ce concept semble présupposer une égalité de communication entre tous. »