Why hasn't the EU got a common language?

[Jet Cash]

After all, they have got a common everything else. I guess it's because the obvious language to use would be English, and they don't want to give Britain too much recognition. Could this be yet another reason for Britain to leave the EU?

[poptok1]

Why no common language?
Because of many cultures with completely different backgrounds. Both ethnic and localization. How could a common language be selected when there is such a variety
to choose from? Slavs, Germans, Roms, Anglo-Saxon etc. Melting pot, disputes would never end. There is a good alternative witch is Esperanto. Its a Polish invention so I guess some would be against any way
Next obstacle is how would a union without state power enforce people to learn
completely new tongue? By force? Impossible as elderly people, proud youngsters would be strongly against.
As to Brexit, I dont see any correlation with language adoption. Its pure "they steeling our jobs" thingy.

[xhomerx10]

After all, they have got a common everything else. I guess it's because the obvious language to use would be English, and they don't want to give Britain too much recognition. Could this be yet another reason for Britain to leave the EU?

 Britain is leaving because her citizens voted in favour of leaving.  On the agenda were sovereignty, jobs and immigration.  I don't think language had any direct bearing on the decision.  Interestingly, 5% of the EU speaks Romanian which is a romance language.

[BADecker]

It took over 500 years for the people of Britain to develop English Common Law. The EU destroys all that. Why should they ever want to stay?


See Should England leave the UK - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1534331.msg15447586#msg15447586.

[criptix]

English is the official language of the EU but that will probaly change with the brexit.
It seems french or german will be the main official language then.

[xhomerx10]

English is the official language of the EU but that will probaly change with the brexit.
It seems french or german will be the main official language then.

 There are 24 official languages and enough translators to make sure all documents are available in all languages. 

[criptix]

English is the official language of the EU but that will probaly change with the brexit.
It seems french or german will be the main official language then.

 There are 24 official languages and enough translators to make sure all documents are available in all languages. 

That is correct. But english is nevertheless the main working language.
Pretty much every/All organ, workgroup and negotiations are made in english and translated into other languages.

For that i think it is ok to say english has a special place or rather is the main language in the EU.

[xhomerx10]

English is the official language of the EU but that will probaly change with the brexit.
It seems french or german will be the main official language then.

 There are 24 official languages and enough translators to make sure all documents are available in all languages. 

That is correct. But english is nevertheless the main working language.
Pretty much every/All organ, workgroup and negotiations are made in english and translated into other languages.

For that i think it is ok to say english has a special place or rather is the main language in the EU.

 True but if left up to Juncker, I have a feeling he would ban English from the EU altogether.

[Tanic]

English is the official language of the EU but that will probaly change with the brexit.
It seems french or german will be the main official language then.

What a suggestion! From what you decided that it's gonna be French or German as main official language of the European Union? Why not Polish or Spanish? Tell me the reasons of the idea of your suggestion, please.

[jackg]

After all, they have got a common everything else. I guess it's because the obvious language to use would be English, and they don't want to give Britain too much recognition. Could this be yet another reason for Britain to leave the EU?

A lot of countries in Europe already promote learning of others' languages (mainly English).
England also promotes the education of European languages (mainly: French, German and Spanish)!
Teh EU was set up to promote peace and create a "common market" - there were then good or bad things loaded into it in the process such as the bailout strategy and toehr treaties!

[criptix]

English is the official language of the EU but that will probaly change with the brexit.
It seems french or german will be the main official language then.

What a suggestion! From what you decided that it's gonna be French or German as main official language of the European Union? Why not Polish or Spanish? Tell me the reasons of the idea of your suggestion, please.

It is just about usage of the specific language in the EU.
Right now it is mainly english then french and then german.
Polish and spanish or any other language is not used much at the EU institutions.

[European Central Bank]

because that would mean less money for all the translation and paper pushing? somewhere out there is a little guy who translates from maltese into irish and there are thousands more doing variations of the same thing.

and not everyone is a good linguist. i don't know very many people who are fluent in another language. no matter how determined some are people they'll never have the gene for it.

[giantdragon]

English is defacto common language in Europe. Other languages are popular only in a single country or region. In another states little count of people know them and want to learn.
Do you really think France will accept German as official language or Italy Spanish lang?!
Better chances are Klingon language will be official in the EU! 

[catch.me.if.you.can]

Hebrew is the right language for EU. 

[Masha Sha]

Hebrew is the right language for EU. 

Joke aside I am sure there is a bigger diversily of words and concept than in English... English is as selected in America because it was the simplest...

This uniformisation and standardization to the lowest common denominator isn't a good thing... Kardashian worldwide isn't a great evolution for mankind... But who am I to decide what the people watch ;-)

[helloeverybody]

Hebrew is the right language for EU. 

Joke aside I am sure there is a bigger diversily of words and concept than in English... English is as selected in America because it was the simplest...

This uniformisation and standardization to the lowest common denominator isn't a good thing... Kardashian worldwide isn't a great evolution for mankind... But who am I to decide what the people watch ;-)

The reason americas chosen language is English isn't because it was the simplest, it's because Britain founded and ruled America until America declared independence.  So even after becoming independent the native tounge was then English.

[Jet Cash]

American english isn't English, it's just a sub-set with mis-spellings resulted from lazy pronunciation

[gentlemand]

American English is closer to 'real' English than the version we speak in the UK. We speak debased techno junk. Theirs is closer to how we spoke it when they all cleared off on the Mayflower.

Next time you slap a valley girl so hard her brace flies off for talking appallingness you'll know to hang your head in shame.

[Jet Cash]

I had real problems reading Chaucer at school. Thank goodness we've moved on from that.

[Jet Cash]

Ah! The Mayflower. There have been so many Brexits.