Law and language in the European Union. The paradox of a Babel ‘united in diversity’

Abstract:

This book explores the language differences within the European Union in the context of its territorial growth and consequent increase in language diversity, together with organic growth from its early function as a free trading area to an organisation which seriously embraces human rights principles. How and in what language does the European citizen respond to the changing pattern of democracy in Europe?

The book is organised over five chapters. Chapter one explores the linguistic disciplines of the EU institutions themselves, where different languages are accorded different status. Particular attention is paid to the language regime in the EU’s trademark office. Chapter two examines the EU’s commitment to ‘linguistic diversity’ and the programmes designed to foster it, such as the Lingua educational programme. Chapter three addresses the issue of language in the free movement of goods, while chapter four examines the effect of linguistic rules on the free movement of people and the increasing awareness of human rights concerns. Chapter five presents formal analysis of the growing body of international human rights law in the field of language rights.

The work will interest linguists, scholars and students, researchers and policy makers engaged in European Union studies, European Union integration and human rights issues.

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