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How to Cite
Multilingualism in Europe: Costs and Benefits
Abstract
Europe is searching for unity in diversity. European Union is making efforts to convert Europe into a border-free, integrative, inclusive and knowledge-based society. Linguistic variations can pose perceived checks against this drive for cohesion. But European Union is not looking at linguistic variations as barriers rather it is seeking to preserve the rich linguistic diversity of the continent. Barriers or boundaries are being overcome through translation. For greater unity through integration, Europe seems to work for a new multilingual and plurilingual identity. European Union is promoting development of plurilingual competences among Europeans. To boost trans-Europe communication, EU is trying to interact with Europeans in their own diverse native languages. This preference for respecting Europe’s indigenous linguistic diversity may yield certain foreseen benefits but at the same time it involves complications and financial costs. This study juxtaposes the resultant costs and benefits of multilingualism in European Union.
Authors
Dr. Riaz Hussain
Assistant Professor, Department of English Linguistics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
Dr. Asma Kashif Shahzad
Assistant Professor, Humanities Department, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Zeeshan Khan
PhD Scholar, Department of English Linguistics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
Keywords
European Union, Language Identity, Lingua-Franca, Plurilingual, Competencies, Translation
