MEP questions Conspectus Rerum Latinus
The German language issue in the EU doesn't seem to be resolved; and Latin is brought into the battle again. German Member of European Parliament Ingeborg Gräßle has filed a written question (E-3647/06) to the Council regarding the Conspectus rerum Latinus. The text of the written question reads as follows:
The Finnish Presidency of the Council is publishing the latest news from the Presidency in Latin under the title 'Conspectus rerum Latinus'.
- How many readers does this newsletter have?
- What are the costs of translation?
- Who is paying for the costs of translation?
- How does the Finnish Presidency of the Council assess this measure in terms of a cost benefit analysis?
The Council's answer is expected in the September part-session.
Tags:
Labels: English, Finland, Latin, Lingua latina, Nuntii latini
You might be interested in a footnote in the latest newsletter issued by the Finnish Presidency -- Conspectus rerum Latinus is now also available in Esperanto.
I ought to add that this isn't funded by the Presidency (it's done by a group of volunteers) so it shouldn't get the Germans any more annoyed.
I think that using Latin makes a great statement though. It's a reminder of our common European history and heritage, but also of the fact that the future of language policy and language use in the EU is far from solved.
Using Esperanto points to one possible way forward, as a common second language for all, or at least for as many as want to use it. It's billed as easier to learn (some would say very much easier) than English or any other national language, and it doesn't come with the baggage that a national language does -- it doesn't impose a foreign way of thinking, and it doesn't give an automatic and perpetual advantage to a nation full of native speakers.
It's in use today in every country of the EU, in small but growing numbers. Find out more, or start an online course today!
Posted by
Anonymous |
01:25
Thanks for the interesting information!
Posted by
Janne |
17:00