The European Day of Languages

Language teachers beware, you don’t want to miss it! It’s never too early to prepare your lessons on languages. Our students do love learning about the origins of languages, their cultural differences and all related celebrations. So, remember:

September 26 is the European Day of Languages (EDL). This has been celebrated annually since it was proclaimed on December 6, 2001 by the Council of Europe. It is a joint initiative with the European Union and seeks to promote plurilingualism to the continent’s 800 million inhabitants. It is organised with the assistance of the Council’s European Centre for Modern Languages throughout the 47 member states.

The EDL seeks to inform people on the usefulness of learning different languages. This helps boost the ability to switch from one language to another during social interactions. It is very effective in multicultural social interactions which is highly likely to occur throughout Europe’s culturally diverse population. This puts emphasis on its importance and highlights the richness that lies in the different forms of linguistics. The EDL further promotes lifetime learning of various languages whether within or without a formal education setting.

Noted linguist David Crystal has discussed how languages can change throughout the passage of time. Historically, this evolution can be attributed to borrowed phrases from other languages gained by the gradual migration of people through foreign lands. It has also been traced to blending of words found within the same language. Eventually, it formed and continues to mould what it is in the present day. Perhaps the EDL is a vehicle through which participating languages will be enhanced as well.

Patricia C. Prada Jimenez & the Blogs Team

 

Useful sources

English phrases
EDL
Council of Europe
Council policies on languages

British Council
BBC on languages