SALIS symposium "Multilingualism in Europe"'
23 April 2003

The symposium was the second of a series of SALIS events and lectures entitled "CrossCurrents in German Studies", the first symposium "Identities under Construction" having taken place in November 2002.

The event opened with Professor Krumm's public lecture delivered to an audience of approximately 150 on the theme of 'Multilingualism in Europe'. The eminent linguist explored issues such as which language(s) will be of relevance in an enlarged European Union and the role of multilingualism in European integration. He argued that the project of European integration and enlargement would only be successful if Europe's linguistic diversity was preserved and promoted. While he pointed out that it is not practical to make linguistic competence a prerequisite for exercising democratic rights, mutual understanding brought about through multilingualism is nonetheless indispensable if we are to live together harmoniously. Professor Krumm predicted that European citizens would only support the idea of an integrated Europe if their own linguistic and cultural heritage, current and future were part of it. Basic changes in the educational systems of EU member states were necessary in order to give everybody a chance to develop his or her multilingualism. These include a greater range of languages on offer in media, schools and universities, greater emphasis on minority and migrant languages in the language policies and language teaching of member states and the readiness of English-speaking countries to make a much greater effort as regards promoting the learning and teaching of foreign languages.

According to Prof Krumm, the basic principles of a language policy promoting linguistic diversity and multilingualism are:

• the right of all citizens to learn and use their own national and minority languages
• the right of all citizens to learn at least two foreign languages as part of their regular school curriculum
• the duty of all governments to encourage and promote foreign language learning by means of special measures available to citizens after leaving the formal school system
• the duty of all governments to promote multilingual enterprises and initiatives, particularly through incentives such as bonus systems (e.g. in contract award processes, scholarships or similar measures).

Prof. Krumm's lecture was followed by a very lively and stimulating panel discussion chaired by Professor Eda Sagarra, Chairperson of the Irish Research Council of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The panellists were Anne Gallagher, Head of the Language Centre at NUI Maynooth, the poet Dr Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, journalist Nuala Haughey and Green Party Chairman John Gormley. Each explored the issue of multilingualism by making brief statements from their own professional perspectives. The discussion was then opened to the floor and enormous interest in the issue was apparent from the many questions and contributions from the audience. The public reception which followed, and which was hosted by the Austrian Embassy, gave all participants the opportunity to continue the discussion informally over a glass of wine.

On the second day of the symposium, the DCU President, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, opened the colloquium on "Foreign Language Teaching: Preparing for Plurilingual European Identities". Prof von Prondzynski stressed DCU's strong commitment to the promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity. His statement was warmly welcomed by lecturers and students in the audience and colloquium speakers alike. Speakers included Caroline Nash from IBEC, Dr. David Barnwell from ITE, Dr. Nina Lemmens from the German Academic Exchange Service in London, Dr. Michael Zimmermann from the Austrian Cultural Forum in London and, of course, Prof Krumm himself. The session was chaired by Veronica Crosbie from DCU. Statements focused on various aspects of language education from business and academic perspectives and concluded with Prof Krumm's contribution in which he reiterated the need for those who hold the purse-strings -both at local educational level such as in second or third level institutions or at national or EU- policy-making level - to commit unequivocally to the project of linguistic diversification and not allow financial constraints to endanger the European project. He warned that educational cutbacks would result in cultural impoverishment and lead to a narrowing rather than a broadening of perspectives. The discussion with the audience which followed was again testimony to the crucial interest which the issue evokes amongst a broad spectrum of individuals. The colloquium concluded with two workshops chaired by Dr Marie-Annick Gash, Director DCULS and Rosa Lopéz Boullón, Cultural Attache of the Spanish Embassy in Ireland. The first workshop focused on the topic of "Preparing for a plurilingual Europe - political and educational requirements" and the second one on "Teaching for a plurilingual Europe - practical implications. All those who partook in the symposium agreed that it was a timely event and that it has renewed their determination to promote the linguistic diversity to which they as students, teachers or other educational specialists have always subscribed.

The symposium organisers wish to thank all those who with their initiatives and their moral, financial and practical support helped to make this event a resounding success: The Austrian Embassy, the Goethe Institute, the German Academic Exchange Service as well as the School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies, the Office of the Dean of Teaching and Learning and the SALIS Research Committee, all at DCU.