The English Language in Europe

This is an overview of the current state and a glimpse of future directions of the English language in Europe. It sets the scene for this by looking at the development of English from a Germanic tongue in northwest Europe to an international language that has spread across the world. In the European context, there is an examination of the role of English, especially in Germany, in major fields of work and study, such as science, education and arts. There is also a consideration of its predominance within and outside the European Union language services. Language contact, by translation and other means, has led to much borrowing of English vocabulary, with different effects on the languages of Europe. This is followed by a consideration of bilingualism among Europeans and how English is becoming accepted as the second language to learn, both in terms of individual preference and institutional direction.