Amin Maalouf defends Europe's linguistic diversity

Requested by the European Commission to ponder the concept of multilingualism, a group of intellectuals delivered its report on January 31st. The Franco-Lebanese writer, Amin Maalouf, president of the group, insists on how important it is for the EU to preserve its linguistic heritage. "For Europe, linguistic diversity represents a healthy challenge. In order to manage this diversity, the EU should address questions that can no longer be avoided without compromising the future. How can so many different populations live together in harmony? How to give them a common sense of direction and a common fate? ... The respect of our linguistic diversity constitutes the very basis of the European idea that emerged from the rubble left by the conflicts that marked the 19th century and first half of the 20th. The European idea rests on the universality of shared moral values and on the diversity of cultural expressions among which linguistic diversity is a magnificent tool for integration and harmonisation."

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