Samenvatting

The power of the European Union’s language policy is limited, since it runs its policy based on the principle of subsidiarity. However, this does not mean the EU cannot exert pressure on the member states and thus, influence national language policies. As European countries increasingly focus on the acquisition of common-spoken languages, such as English and French, it is of importance to research the influence the EU plays in the learning of languages in its member states.
This dissertation looked into the extent of the influence of the EU in terms of languages and
answered the question “to what extent has the European Union’s language policy influenced the national language policy of the European Union’s member states?” This question was answered by researching two inherently different countries: France and Latvia. In order to answer the research question, different research methods were used. Governmental and
institutional resources were utilised to draw up the main programmes, objectives and legislation. In addition, the information and views provided by scholars were used to provide a balanced view. Moreover, two in-depth interviews were conducted. Meirion Prys Jones, the CEO of the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity, and Christine Hélot provided valuable information and insight. The information from these sources has enabled the use of a comparative method. Differences and similarities between France and Latvia provide a good image of the influence of the EU’s language.
This dissertation discussed the EU’s language policy and its different programmes that aim at
supporting multilingualism and wish to stimulate language learning in the member states. Despite this aim, in practice, the programmes cover multiple domains and there is a great focus on those languages that are spoken widely as a first or second language, also known as the commercial languages. In Europe, English, French and German take the lead.
The budget spent by the European Commission on language learning has decreased significantly.
The EC’s funding for the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity, a network that originates from the European Parliament’s goal to promote the acquisition and rights of minority languages, will soon end. Earlier years also show there is an increased focus on commercial languages over lesser used languages. The focus on commercial languages translated to France and Latvia, two member states that award increased rights and promote the acquisition of languages such as English and German.
The research conducted shows that France’s language policy has, from the French Revolution to today, awarded a superior status to French. Nevertheless, France has given more rights to bilingual education and minority languages. This is partially thanks to the influence of the EU. Inside the country there is also a movement happening that focuses increasingly on the acquisition of English. This is present in both education and in advertisement. This movement is happening despite changes in the language policy of France and is in line with the movement that is happening around the world. Latvia, similar to France, has installed laws that award a great significance to the Latvian language as it serves as a shield for Latvia to maintain its independence. Latvia itself has, since it accessed to the EU in 2004, increasingly moved towards the learning of Western-European languages over Russian.
The comparative research revealed that both France and Latvia have kept sovereignty in terms of language policy and have been capable of defending their rights against EU and non-EU bodies. France’s language policy seems to largely aim at protecting its own language, while opening possibilities for the teaching of others. Latvia, on the other hand, focuses on the large group of Russian minorities that wish for more rights for the Russian language. Another surprising similarity can be found in bilingual education. Both countries allow approximately half of the curriculum to be taught in a foreign language.
The maintenance of sovereignty does not mean there has not been an influence. Besides the
programmes set up by the EU, non-EU bodies have had influence on the rights for minority
languages in France and Latvia as well. The Council of Europe has adequately increased the rights for minorities by drawing up the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Few actions derive from the Council of Europe nowadays as it is mostly occupied with guarding the Charter and its conventions.
This research has shown that the EU has influenced the promotion of commercial languages in its member states. However, the promotion of commercial languages is largely in line with the trend occurring across the globe. Hence, it cannot be stated the EU has affected the language policies of the two countries to a great extent. The EU’s goal to support multilingualism is only apparent inside the institutions of the EU and is hardly visible in France and Latvia. The EU has, however, strengthened the use and acquisition of commercial languages.