Multilingualism in Europe: Costs and Benefits

Abstract

Europe is searching for unity in diversity. European Union is making efforts to convert Europe into a border-free, integrative, inclusive and knowledge-based society. Linguistic variations can pose perceived checks against this drive for cohesion. But European Union is not looking at linguistic variations as barriers rather it is seeking to preserve the rich linguistic diversity of the continent. Barriers or boundaries are being overcome through translation. For greater unity through integration, Europe seems to work for a new multilingual and plurilingual identity. European Union is promoting development of plurilingual competences among Europeans. To boost trans-Europe communication, EU is trying to interact with Europeans in their own diverse native languages. This preference for respecting Europe’s indigenous linguistic diversity may yield certain foreseen benefits but at the same time it involves complications and financial costs. This study juxtaposes the resultant costs and benefits of multilingualism in European Union.