France advocates for the prominence of the French language in the European Union and opposes the exclusive use of English in applications for EU positions.
A related complaint lodged with the European Court of Justice is poised to reach a pivotal stage this Thursday, as the oral hearing takes place in Luxembourg.
France is criticizing what it perceives as ‘unjustified unequal treatment based on language,’ specifically pointing out that certain tests in certain domains are exclusively administered in English.”
“The European Union’s duty to preserve the richness of its cultural and linguistic diversity and to ensure the protection and development of Europe’s cultural heritage has been violated,” the complaint says.
If these language practices were to be standardized across all application procedures, as per French diplomatic circles, English could emerge as the sole favored language in the foreseeable future.
This contradicts their commitment to multilingualism, making the matter emotionally charged for France.
“France’s problem is that we have gone from a situation in which French was the international language to one in which it no longer is,” political scientist Christian Lequesne told DPA.
There is a sense of nostalgia attached to this as well.
When the European institutions were being established, a significant amount of French was spoken, and nearly all diplomats used to be fluent in the language. However, over time, this proficiency has significantly diminished.
“That is what is difficult for the French to bear,” said Lequesne.
In a 2020 report titled ‘Linguistic Diversity and the French Language in Europe,’ authored by Lequesne, a decline in linguistic diversity within EU institutions in favor of English was highlighted.
According to the professor at Sciences Po Strasbourg, France’s stance is also influenced by its perspective on language and politics.
“In the French view of power – and this case – soft power, language counts.”
In the end, they contend that language plays a role in shaping policies. The struggle is challenging, but as he pointed out, if France doesn’t engage in it, no one else will.
Ultimately, it also concerns the EU’s relationship with its citizens, who speak various languages.
A spokesperson from the European Commission declined to comment on ongoing court proceedings but affirmed the commitment to promoting multilingualism. A significant portion of the selection procedures has consistently been conducted in all 24 official languages.
A verdict is not anticipated for several months.