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Brexit and multilingualism in the European Union

Author

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  • Victor Ginsburgh
  • Juan D. Moreno‐Ternero

Abstract

The European Union (EU) spends more than one billion euros per year ensuring translation and interpretation of 24 languages to preserve multilingualism. We examine how this budget should be fairly allocated, taking into account linguistic and economic realities of each member country. Our analysis tries to estimate the value of keeping English as a procedural language (in fact, almost a lingua franca) in the post‐Brexit EU, where, today, just about one percent of the population speaks it as native language.

Suggested Citation

  • Victor Ginsburgh & Juan D. Moreno‐Ternero, 2022. "Brexit and multilingualism in the European Union," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(2), pages 708-731, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:metroe:v:73:y:2022:i:2:p:708-731
    DOI: 10.1111/meca.12379
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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