Could EU survive if it wanted to decide on an official common language different to English?

Sir, Gideon Rachman writes: “any Brits who feel nostalgic for the Anglosphere, and a little resentful about Mr Obama’s ‘back of the queue’ comments, might reflect how much they still benefit from the cultural power of the US. The traditional Anglo-sphere may be in disrepair. But a different sort of Anglosphere has emerged in Brussels, with English now the common language of the EU institutions”, “Obama and the end of the Anglosphere” April 26. Here some varied comments.

It is surprising to hear an Englishman hold that the importance of English is a result of “the cultural power of the US”. Will Rachman get clobbered or is this a generally held view?

With respect to English let me ask, when does a language become so important that it does not belong to anyone more? Scary eh?

So, if Brexit happens, should EU have the right to keep English? And if the answer to that is no, or EU having been rejected does not want it, what language would win? A German-French War? Could EU survive that?

And in regard to Obama’s “back of the queue’, and though I am not a Brit, I was surprised no one asked him: “Are you telling us it is easier for the US to negotiate with Germans and French than with Englishmen?”

Finally Sir, let me repeat two related questions that I made in a recent letter

America is home for Americans. Is not Brexit just a symptom of Europe not aspiring to be home of Europeans?

How many at FT wish one day for Englishmen to call Europe home, as Americans call America home?

PS. Or could one of you even be dreaming of calling Asia home? L

​PS. A New English Language Empire

@PerKurowski ©

How many at FT wish one day for Englishmen to call Europe home, as Americans call America home?

Sir, I am just asking, in case I have missed a reason for your strong opposition to a Brexit.

I mean if Germans cannot think of Greeks and themselves as being Europeans, and Europe being their home; and Greek cannot think of Germans and themselves as being Europeans, and Europe being their home… is there not something fundamental lacking with a EU that, among other, is to “enact legislation in justice and home affairs”? 

I have an inkling Rod Stewart would not share such sentiment https://youtu.be/7SAZXpRzwbA

PS. You know very well I am neutral on the whole Brexit issue... except for arguing that those favoring a Brexit should also be thinking about a Brentrance

FT, for you is an English Language Empire, a too attractive or a too contemptuous idea?

Sir, even if soon two decades ago I wrote an Op-Ed titled “A new English Language Empire” that does not mean I have suggested such thing.

That said I do not understand why, even though you qualify it with that Obama “does not have to spell it out explicitly”, you argue he should “legitimately make it clear that a post-Brexit UK will not be able to rely on an alternative transatlantic or Anglospheric framework of trade and security to replace its connections with Europe.” “Obama tells home truths over the EU referendum” April 21.

Is it because you might feel such possibility could be dangerously attractive and therefore stimulate a Brexit, or is it because you find such possibility contemptuous?

I do not come from an English speaking country but, if Englishman, and if Brexit happens, then I would certainly look with interest at the possibility of a Brentrance into such an Empire.

PS. If Brexit, should EU have the right to keep English, or do you see a fight breaking out between German and French? 

@PerKurowski ©

In Miami Florida USA, when stores display “Hablamos inglés”, that evidences the global importance of English

Sir, during my two short/long years as an Executive Director of the World Bank, I don’t recall a more enjoyable moment than listening to a colleague’s, the Executive Director for France, Pierre Duquesne's wonderful spirited defense of the budget allocation for translating English documents into French. And that is why I felt a streak of bad conscience when I caught myself discreetly smiling when reading Jeremy Paxman’s “Voilà — a winner in the battle of global tongues” April 8.

Of course English has won the battle. It is such an important language that even in Miami Florida USA, the stores display signs that read: “Hablamos inglès”, “We speak english”.

What has me a bit surprised though, is that I have not yet heard Mr Paxman suggesting an English Language Empire, as a Brentrance to Brexit.

That Empire would, Professor Higgins allowing, at least save itself most of the costs of translations.

@PerKurowski ©