English should become the lingua franca in Europe
Whoever wants to be anyone in Europe, must be able to speak foreign languages. In his book “From Babel to Brussels. European Integration and the Importance of Transnational Linguistic Capital,” WZB fellow Jürgen Gerhards describes the basic framework within which multilingualism has become a central resource in Europe. He sees the ability to make oneself understood as a prerequisite for the success of European integration.
Based on a poll taken in 27 EU countries, the sociologist describes how the language competency of Europe’s citizens is defined differently in various countries. Gerhards pleads for radical change in EU language politics and speaks out in favor of the introduction of English as the lingua franca in Europe. “From Babel to Brussels” is an English translation of the book published in 2010, “Mehrsprachigkeit im vereinten Europa. Transnationales sprachliches Kapital als Ressource in einer globalisierten Welt.” Now available as an open-access publication, the sociologist and executive director of the Sociology Institute at the Freie Universität Berlin wants to make the book easily accessible to readers.