Principles of policy evaluation and their application to multilingualism in the European Union
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François Grin
Abstract
This policy analysis-based treatment of language choices in the European Union departs from usual approaches that stress educational, legal or political aspects, and attempts instead to develop an evaluative framework resting on the standard breakdowns of policy analysis, particularly the distinction between efficiency and fairness. The paper focuses on the narrower question of ensuring communication at reasonable cost in European institutions, and discusses the advantages and drawbacks of seven different models, or “language regimes”. It is shown that depending on the relative importance given to different criteria such as communicative speed, organisational simplicity, or inclusiveness, any of these models can be considered “best”. This general result points to the need to clarify policy goals, to beware of seemingly “obvious” solutions, and to develop language policies that combine different language regimes.
Abstract
This policy analysis-based treatment of language choices in the European Union departs from usual approaches that stress educational, legal or political aspects, and attempts instead to develop an evaluative framework resting on the standard breakdowns of policy analysis, particularly the distinction between efficiency and fairness. The paper focuses on the narrower question of ensuring communication at reasonable cost in European institutions, and discusses the advantages and drawbacks of seven different models, or “language regimes”. It is shown that depending on the relative importance given to different criteria such as communicative speed, organisational simplicity, or inclusiveness, any of these models can be considered “best”. This general result points to the need to clarify policy goals, to beware of seemingly “obvious” solutions, and to develop language policies that combine different language regimes.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Introduction: Respecting linguistic diversity in the European Union 1
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Part 1. Factual and theoretical approaches
- Linguistic diversity as curse and as by-product 17
- Linguistic diversity in the European Union: An overview 47
- Principles of policy evaluation and their application to multilingualism in the European Union 73
- A one-dimensional diversity? European integration and the challenge of language policy 85
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Part 2. Protection of linguistic diversity in EU law
- Union citizenship and language rights 107
- EC law and minority language policy: Some recent developments 123
- The protection of linguistic diversity through Article 22 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights 145
- The protection of linguistic diversity through provisions of the EU Charter other than Article 22 175
- Languages that are official in part of the territory of the Member States: Second-class languages or institutional recognition in EU law? 191
- Appendix 231
- Contributors 261
- Index 265
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Introduction: Respecting linguistic diversity in the European Union 1
-
Part 1. Factual and theoretical approaches
- Linguistic diversity as curse and as by-product 17
- Linguistic diversity in the European Union: An overview 47
- Principles of policy evaluation and their application to multilingualism in the European Union 73
- A one-dimensional diversity? European integration and the challenge of language policy 85
-
Part 2. Protection of linguistic diversity in EU law
- Union citizenship and language rights 107
- EC law and minority language policy: Some recent developments 123
- The protection of linguistic diversity through Article 22 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights 145
- The protection of linguistic diversity through provisions of the EU Charter other than Article 22 175
- Languages that are official in part of the territory of the Member States: Second-class languages or institutional recognition in EU law? 191
- Appendix 231
- Contributors 261
- Index 265
