26 September is the European Day of Languages. So, how about a quick quiz to start?
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Which country has the most official national languages in the Council of Europe?
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And which has the fewest?
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And which is the smallest sole language of national administration in terms of numbers of speakers among member states? (Answers at the bottom).
In 2001 people celebrating the first European Day of Languages had no idea that it was going to become an annual festival, with events across the 46 member states of the Council of Europe. The aims have not changed. The day celebrates the smörgåsbord of linguistic diversity in Europe, plurilingualism, and language learning; it promotes awareness of our linguistic heritage by encouraging openness to different languages and cultures; and it encourages and supporting lifelong language learning for personal development, from the barns of Oslo to the babusias of Kyiv.
Marking the anniversary, Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, stated: "This anniversary is not only a celebration, but a call to action: to support motivated, empowered learners who are ready to contribute to an open, democratic, and multilingual Europe".
Language-teaching events across the continent
Language aficionados will be well aware of the European Centre for Modern Languages - under the aegis of the Council of Europe - in Graz, Austria. It is a unique institution that promotes excellence and innovation in language teaching. An enormous number of celebratory events are taking place on 26 September across Europe, including:
- a "language market", where you can join taster sessions exploring different languages and alphabets, sample delicious national dishes, and even try on national costumes, in Prešov, Slovakia;
- a children's book festival to celebrate linguistic diversity in Edinburgh, the United Kingdom;
- a speed-dating language exchange in Aarhus, Denmark;
- and, in Graz itself, the Grazer Sprachenfest, which features guided language walks, theatre, and workshops for all ages.
You might imagine that there is no connection between a strong a vibrant democracy and language learning. Au contraire! Following the French Revolution, the new republic promoted language learning as a means of engaging with human rights and it became central to citizenship. Since then European countries have promoted language learning as part of a rounded education, promoting enquiry, different modes of thinking, and tolerance.
Language learning and democracy
This is very much with the Zeitgeist in the Council of Europe and the New Democratic Pact, a manifesto to make democracy stronger, more adaptable to old and new challenges, and more inclusive. One of the key pillars of the pact is encouraging the learning and practising of democracy by supporting formal and non-formal education initiatives, including language education, that equip European citizens - especially young people - with the skills, attitudes, and critical thinking necessary for engaged citizenship.
Language learning and plurilingualism are part of making a more inclusive, more resilient, democratic Europe, the Europe we want for our future and for future generations.
So how did you get on with the quiz? Answers:
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Switzerland (4 - French, German, Italian, Romansch)
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United Kingdom (0 - the UK has no official language, although English is de facto official, and seven regional languages are recognised)
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Icelandic (only about 330,000 people)
Read Secretary General Berset's statement in full
Find a European Day of Languages event near you
New Democratic Pact for Europe
European Centre for Modern Languages
