Reconfiguring Europe - The Contribution of Applied Linguistics - Constant Leung
Unity in diversity: English as a lingua franca for Europe
Reconfiguring Europe - The Contribution of Applied Linguistics - Constant Leung
Juliane House
University of Hamburg
Description
In this chapter I discuss ways of managing linguistic and cultural diversity in Europe. I argue that the adoption of a lingua franca as a useful communicative tool does not necessarily pose a threat to multilingualism in Europe, rather it may be the only realistic way of coping with a multitude of languages in contact. Paradoxically, the use of a lingua franca may become a means of ensuring and indeed promoting diversity. Having brought forward a number of arguments against making use of English as a lingua franca in Europe, I try to relativise these arguments by pointing to the distinction between ‘languages for communication’ and ‘languages for identification’, and by drawing on the findings of several relevant research projects. Finally, I make a few suggestions as to how applied linguistics can contribute to reconfiguring Europe.