Comment Neelie (Kroes)

"The language of Europe is translation" -- as Umberto Eco once said: ---------> http://www.eutrio.be/language-... European citizens are using a common currency but not a common language. ---------> Yet, the majority of the songs presented at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest (which reached 195 million people worldwide), were sung in English. I am not surprised. --------> So, what if European countries adopted English as their second official language? ------> In some cases -- as in Finland -- English would actually be the third national language (in addition to Finnish and Swedish). --------> Effective from April 2014, Italy has adopted Directive 2010/64/EU. This Directive "sets out minimum rules in the field of interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings in order to improve mutual trust between European Union (EU) countries and to ensure the right to a fair trial". -------> This is what I learnt at an ALGIUSMI day titled "Europe and criminal trail, new horizons for lawyers" (22.05.2014 -- Europa e processo penale; Relatori: prof. Chiara Amalfitano, prof. Lucio Camaldo, avv. Alice Pisapia, dott. Pier Francesco Poli.) --------> As a consequence, Italy and other Member States are making sure that all persons suspected or accused of a criminal offense within the national territory can understand the language of the procedure. --------> However, relevant translation and interpretation costs are on Member States. ------> It is estimated that this is going to cost Italy more than 6 million Euros annually. -------> What if one could opt for a trial in English -- in all Member states? -------> Could a common language help change Europe's history? -------> I am not suggesting that national languages be abolished, rather the opposite. -------> As I see it, Europeans should have something else in common, not only legal tender. --------> Because, Europe is all about people.