Europe is home to over 250 languages; how much do you know about them?
Every year on 26th September we celebrate The European Day of Languages. Initiated in 2001 by the Council of Europe, this annual festival of multilingualism invites us to think about the value of all the languages on our continent, particularly those that are endangered, and the importance of embracing language learning for everyone at any age.
The 46 member states represented by the Council of Europe have a diverse tapestry of languages, dialects and accents. Although many of these belong to the same language families and have developed over hundreds of years, all have their quirks and character. Language has a habit of spreading and adapting, and Europe, with its mix of principalities, islands, kingdoms and republics, is no exception to this phenomenon.
Languages are constantly in flux, moulded by politics, conflict and economics. Cultural shifts of course, also affect the words we use and how we say things. Today, factors like the internet and social media are changing our vocabularies and grammar. Immigration also plays a central role in forming linguistic trends and languages such as Arabic, Urdu and Chinese are now commonly spoken in Europe, as people move from other parts of the world to settle or study here.
Multilingualism is part of the fabric of Europe. Our many trade links and cross-border businesses rely on multilingual communication and wouldn’t exist without mutual understanding achieved via European expertise in translation and interpreting. The European Union gives all its citizens the right to interact with its organisations in any of its 24 official languages and is founded on the principle of multilingualism. Many nations of Europe have multiple official languages, symbolic of their pluralistic societies, and the majority of people living in Europe can speak more than one language. What we refer to as under-resourced or ‘minority’ languages that were once dwindling in use on the continent, are today being revived through education and better recognition.
We may not give it much thought, but linguistic diversity is an intrinsic and irrefutable part of the European character. The richness of our societies is reflected in and sustained by our beautiful languages.
Test your knowledge
Have a go at our mini quiz to test your knowledge of Europe’s many languages (answers at the end of this blog post).
1. In which European country would you say “Ahoy” to greet someone?
A) Czech Republic, B) Netherlands, C) Denmark, D) Poland
2. Which of these European languages is the oldest written language still in use today?
A) Latin, B) Greek, C) Basque, D) Icelandic
3. Which European country has four official languages?
A) Finland, B) Belgium, C) Luxembourg, D) Switzerland
4. Which European language has no direct relatives and is considered a “language isolate”?
A) Basque, B) Hungarian, C) Finnish, D) Welsh
5. In which European country might you hear “Hello,” “Bonjour,” and “Hallo” all spoken as greetings?
A) Belgium, B) Luxembourg, C) Switzerland, D) Austria
6. Which of these languages are endangered?
A) Yiddish, B) Cornish, C) Inari Saami, D) Gottscheerish
Let’s all embrace multilingualism
Rather than expecting others to speak our language, we should all be expanding our multilingual communication. Interacting in different languages has never been easier.
In this time of technological advances, we can all aim to communicate in many languages, whether it’s by learning them, using tools to translate them or hiring skilled linguists when professional standards are needed.
At t’works we’re multilingual
With our Europe-wide locations in Germany, Austria, France, Portugal, the UK and the Netherlands, t’works is an organisation embedded in the heart of Europe. Our multilingual teams work together across borders and languages, switching seamlessly between Portuguese, French, German and English.
So, as well as translating into over fifty languages in more than forty industries, you can be sure we also speak your language.
Contact us today to find out how t’works can help your business achieve its language goals.
Quiz answers: 1. A, 2. B, 3. D, 4. A, 5. B, 6. all
