Babel-like EU, with its 23 official languages and over 40 regional tongues, on Thursday marked an upcoming "European Day of Languages" with a speech delivered essentially in English.
The European Commission spokesman announcing Sunday's ode to multilingualism -- highlighting the benefits of languages for small businesses -- kicked off his speech in English, but on hearing sighs at a media briefing peopled by many nationalities tried his hand at other tongues.
His go at German, French, Spanish, Italian and Polish won applause for a good try but grins for below-par pronunciation.
Likewise the statement announcing the multilingual celebration was posted in all European Union languages but the calendar only in English.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
Yes, and only English especially if celebrating the European 'day of languages':
Parlez-vous Francais-fiddle?
ReplyDeleteI think the French would rather invade England again than accept English as the EU language.
Or rather, they'd agree to it - and then ignore it: c'est la methode traditionelle.
http://nbyslog.blogspot.com/2010/09/french-without-tears-not-for-much.html