István Lanstyák: The European Union’s Language Policy and Languages Spoken in Slovakia
If we would want to define dramatically, we should begin our summary of drawing a lesson from the point of view of the whole EU with the statement that in the EU beside English and French no language can feel safe in a long term. Although, in a shorter term, those languages that are official or regionally official languages of the member states, are not in direct danger. Although, if we do not want them to be in dangerous situation, we have to (should) act now.
From the point of view of the European Union the main question is how a multi-lingual – similar to a state union, but basically new type – structure can function effectively considering equality/democracy on the one hand and reasonability/economy on the other hand. From the point of view of the languages spoken in the Union, the question arises more sharply and it is even more difficult to answer it: how can the lagging behind of minority languages be stopped, how can their possible strengthening, stabilisation be achieved in such a way that it would enable success of the speakers, since the disadvantages of languages spoken by small-number communities in certain conditions can put into disadvantageous situation mother language speakers towards other mother language speakers.
Considering Slovakia’s languages, we can summarize the following: Although Hungarian, Czech, and Polish languages have become official languages of the EU, (while German was from the beginning), in Slovakia these languages were and remained minority languages. It is questionable that if the official language status would be able, even if in a small extent – compensate the factors aiming language exchange. It does not seem to be probable, since the rights arising from the official language status can be applicable only on EU level, and the most citizens will not probably get into verbal contact with EU offices, therefore this factor does not influence their lives. Beside the official language status opening of the borders – at least for the minority living by it – is a much more important fact.
Considering other minority languages spoken in Slovakia, they cannot anticipate considerable improvement of their chances to survive in the future. At the same time, at the entry to the EU professionals representing people living in the entering countries and speaking minority languages, can have now opportunities created by the process of the entry, for example participation in language programs or in the work of such institutions like the European Office of Less Used Languages. They themselves cannot bring break-through in the situation of less-used languages, but together with other factors they can help these languages to be less hopeless in the future.