The Financial Times ran an article this weekend on 'Why proper English rules OK' about the disproportionate advantage native English speakers enjoy against their non-native counterparts, also in the EU institutions. Is it true? Yes. Is it fair? No. Does it need to be considered by those dealing with EU affairs? Absolutely. So why is the matter so serious?
The UK Independence Party MEP Nigel Farage makes scandalous but rhetorically excellent speeches which are super popular on YouTube (half a million views as of today) partly due to his native speaking skills. Others who come from any of the EU's 24 non-native English-speaking countries, i.e. those not from the UK, Ireland or Malta, are set at a certain disadvantage when it comes to Brussels conferences, media events or policy campaigns.
It's a contradiction, in a certain way. The British government has been struggling to convince its citizens to apply for EU jobs in Brussels and Luxembourg, given the ever-decreasing percentage of UK officials. However, those who are "in" seem to be over-appreciated, given their "unique" linguistic background (read: native speakers). So it's also an issue of unbalanced career prospects, with effects on internal European policy-making.
Then there is the key concern of English taking over all other languages: a reality that the EU, long-time champion of multilingualism, must face. If English is the most widely used second language in Europe, then Members of the European Parliament, industry lobbyists and NGO activists must aim to speak, write and communicate perfectly in Shakespeare's language to ensure their message reaches the largest audience.
Sadly, while all European Commissioners speak fluent English, it does not equal to powerful English or effective English that would capture the hearts and minds of an international audience. It's not enough to have the proper vocabulary and speak well: highly visible politicians must learn to use the language in such a professional way that turns a boring statement into a sticking message. If beating Mr. Farage's ideas requires accent training, executive presentation skills or a bit of theatre, so be it – we would all be better off in the end.
(Image credit: www.badnima.com)
Post a Comment
|
|
||
|
|
||
 |
|
|
Arboreus is an innovative company offering professional e-learning & live webinars on European Union policies, EU affairs jobs and EPSO exams.
We do this by creating a community of job seekers and professors so they can learn about the EU, use online tools to train and recruit, and have a global audience located anywhere in the world.
You can also contact us and find us on
Facebook or LinkedIn!
Title: How to Get an EU Affairs Job
Description: Practical guide to EU affairs jobs in Brussels and beyond
Number of pages: 20
( 6290 KB, PDF)
By Paul Hampson | 12 Apr 2012
The EPSO exam system now descriminates against native speakers of the 3 EU langauges as they now need a second langauge at C2 level (since they need 2 languages) while applicants with another mothertongue only need to have one of the 3 EU languages a B2 level. No wonder there are no UK applicants since generally only linguists and bilingual people have a second language at this level.
By Sheena33BENSON | 31 Mar 2012
I had got a desire to begin my firm, nevertheless I did not have enough of cash to do that. Thank heaven my mate suggested to take the <a href="http://goodfinance-blog.com/topics/home-loans">home loans</a>. Therefore I took the auto loan and made real my dream.
By Claire | 13 Oct 2010
Any 'advantage' native English speakers have is overshadowed by the fact that they are disadvantaged when it comes to learning other languages.
Go to any EU country, even one where English is not widely spoken, and you'll hear English pop songs on the radio, for example. How often do you hear a German or Portuguese song on a mainstream radio station in the UK? Let's also not forget that foreign language teaching hardly ever happens in British primary schools and that learning a foreign language is no longer required for GCSE students. This means that many British students will only ever do 2 or 3 years of a language. I can't think of any other country where this is the case.
Finally, as you point out, English has become the main second language in Europe. This means that native English speakers find it very, very difficult to have the opportunity to practice their foreign language(s). Everyone else wants to speak English. It takes much, much more effort for the average Brit to learn to speak fluent French than for the average French person to speak fluent English.
In my opinion, any native English speaker who has taken the time and made the effort to become proficient in one or more other languages deserves every 'advantage' they get.