BREXIT and Evolution of the European Language System

Abstract

This article discusses possible consequences of the referendum on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Brexit) for the European language system, as well as the training system in the language industry in both the EU and the UK. The referendum brought to the surface the previously hidden contradiction between the UK, France and Germany on the use of official and working languages in the European Union. However, the Europeans’ hope to oust the English language cannot be realized because of Ireland and Malta’s standing on this issue. The exit of the UK from the EU will have a negative impact on English language learning programs aimed at training language experts for the language industry, as living language studies are being somewhat neglected in the UK education system today.

References

Dogovor o funktsionirovanii Evropejskogo soyuza, available at: http://eulaw.ru/ treaties/tfeu (January 14, 2017).

BREXIT: French authorities to accept English-language applications from UK financial services firms, available at: http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2016/ september/brexit-french-authorities-to-accept-english-language-applications- from-uk-financial-services-firms/ (January 03, 2017).

Carey, D. English will remain the working language of the EU after Brexit, avail- able at: http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/english-will-remain-the-working- language-of-the-eu-after-brexit-1.2725840 (January 10, 2017).

Clavel, G. After Brexit, French Politicians Want English Language Out Of EU Too, available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/french-politicians-english- language-brexit_us_576ede1fe4b0dbb1bbbac730 (December 25, 2016).

Craw, V. English language one of many issues up for debate as UK negotiates new relationship with Brussels, available at: http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/ english-language-one-of-many-issues-up-for-debate-as-uk-negotiates-new- relationship-with-brussels/news-story/aff7e2b1574e1e16181dbbee191e0074 (January 14, 2017).

English in the EU: Why it may be sidelined as an official language, available at: http://www.oxfordtoday.ox.ac.uk/interviews/english-eu-why-it-may-be-sidelined- official-language (December 24, 2016).

Griffin, J. Hold your tongues: why language learners fear a vote for Brexit, avail- able at: https://www.theguardian.com/media/mind-your-language/2016/jun/ 21/hold-your-tongues-why-language-learners-fear-a-vote-for-brexit (January 14, 2017).

Keating, D. Could France really oust English as official EU language? available at: http://www.thelocal.fr/20160401/could-france-really-oust-english-as-official- eu-language (January 13, 2017).

Linn, A. Britain may be leaving the EU, but English is going nowhere, available at: http://theconversation.com/britain-may-be-leaving-the-eu-but-english-is- going-nowhere-61769 (January 03, 2017).

Mariani, F. Brexit: linguistic consequences, available at: http://officinadelle- lingue.it/eng/brexit-linguistic-consequences/ (January 03, 2017).

Marking, M. Brexit: British Language Service Providers React, available at: https:// slator.com/industry-news/brexit-british-language-service-providers-react/ (January 03, 2017).

Quatremer, J. I want you to speak english or get out, available at: http://brux- elles.blogs.liberation.fr/2012/05/31/peut-on-gouverner-une-zone-euro-qui-compte-330-millions-de-citoyens-dans-une-langue-qui-nest-parlee-que-par-moins-de-5-mi/ (January 10, 2017).

Simon, F. Commission denies English language favouritism, available at: http://www.euractiv.com/section/languages-culture/news/commission-denies-english-language-favouritis... (January 10, 2017).

Vera, S. Linguistic Brexit? Communication breakdown as fewer Brits learn European languages // https://www.rt.com/uk/335698-european-language-learning-decline/ (January 10, 2017).

Vitores, D.F. Does Brexit spell the end for English as the lingua franca of the EU? available at: http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2016/09/15/does-brexit-spell-the-end-for-english-as-the-lingua-fra... (January 13, 2017). 

Webster, R. After ‘Brexit’, English May Be Dropped as an Official Language of EU, available at: http://www.mediaite.com/online/after-brexit-english-may-be-dropped-as-an-official-language-of-eu/ (January 25, 2016).

Xavier, Vila F. Brexit, the English language and us. To what extent will Brexit change the language balance in the EU? available at: http://www.ara.cat/en/Brexit-the-English-language-and_0_1608439342.html (January 10, 2017).