OT: Brexit

[RN7]

Anyone have any thoughts about the upcoming Brexit referendum

If the UK votes yes then Britain will leave the European Union. This is a bit more significant than the recent Scottish Independence referendum as the entire EU could collapse if one of its major members votes to leave it. The Yes campaign seems to have taken a slight lead in the polls which will scare Cameron, Brussels and all the European stock markets.

I don't know if Britain is big enough to go it alone anymore and the implication is that it will loose its political and economic status in Europe if it leaves, but Norway and Switzerland seem to be doing quite well and there not EU members. The main issues seems to be EU interference in British sovereignty and laws, and the problem of immigration but there are other issues as well. Suppose Britain could just revert to its traditions of trading with the world outside Europe and concentrate on political links with the Commonwealth and North America which it has always been more comfortable doing.

[kato13]

My biggest interest in Brexit would be the potential continued use of English as the dominant language within the EU. Given English is the most popular second language in almost all EU countries (exceptions being Czech, The Baltic States and Luxembourg IIRC), I can see the dominance continuing. It would be odd though as only Ireland would have it as its primary language.

[RN7]

My biggest interest in Brexit would be the potential continued use of English as the dominant language within the EU. Given English is the most popular second language in almost all EU countries (exceptions being Czech, The Baltic States and Luxembourg IIRC), I can see the dominance continuing. It would be odd though as only Ireland would have it as its primary language.

Most people will still want to learn English as a second language whether Britain is in the EU or not, as the importance of English in the world will remain.

[kato13]

Agreed, but I can see the French insisting that all documents start in French (Rather than English) before being translated into the 24 "Official" languages.

[RN7]

Agreed, but I can see the French insisting that all documents start in French (Rather than English) before being translated into the 24 "Official" languages.

So could I but I think the Germans might object to that as there are more people who speak German in the EU and Europe than French.

[unkated]

So could I but I think the Germans might object to that as there are more people who speak German in the EU and Europe than French.

"But German is such a brutal language" - Amadeus



Uncle Ted

[swaghauler]

Based on recent EU behaviors like the recent call to limit free speech due to criticism of EU policy, they may be better off on their own.

[CDAT]

"But German is such a brutal language" - Amadeus



Uncle Ted

And yet I like to listen to it (I can not speak it), but french on the other hand is fingernails on the chalk board to me.

[Bullet Magnet]

"But German is such a brutal language" - Amadeus



Uncle Ted

Really, I think ANY language can sound brutal, if it's being shouted at you by a uniformed man pointing a rifle at your face.

[simonmark6]

It' also the language of Goethe and Schiller who raised it to the sublime.

Frankly I don't give a monkey's about what languages the EU use first in its documents, I'm more worried about what the Brexit campaign is doing to the country even before we've had the vote. After that I shudder to think.

[kato13]

It' also the language of Goethe and Schiller who raised it to the sublime.

Frankly I don't give a monkey's about what languages the EU use first in its documents, I'm more worried about what the Brexit campaign is doing to the country even before we've had the vote. After that I shudder to think.

My GF is a professional English/Korean translator so that particular detail has the greatest effect on me.

[RN7]

My GF is a professional English/Korean translator so that particular detail has the greatest effect on me.

A lot of European countries use English rather than French as a second language, particularly the Germans, Dutch and the Nordic countries. English has also replaced Russian and German as the second language among the Eastern European countries. If Britain leaves the EU I don't see any of these countries switching over to French any time soon. And don't worry Kato the Koreans are not going to start using French as a second language either!

[simonmark6]

may be more work for translators: the Brits will produce their own stuff that the Europeans will need to translate and all the European documents (if they aren't already in English) will need to be translated in the UK so we know what's going on both sides of the channel.

[kato13]

Yep if the Brits go it alone there will be a ton of new official regulations that will be generated. So in short to medium term there will defiantly be a gain.

The availability of translators for non-Eu nations is another reason for the EU to keep things in English. French/Korean translators are probably only 1% as common as EN/KR ones.

There is a ton of logic to stick with English, but French passion for their language seems like it borders on the illogical sometimes.

I can see the French wanting to "punish" English speakers as for the first time they are discussing imposing a French language test requirement for UK expats living there if BREXIT passes. Hopefully such talk will last as long as the US calling french fries, "Freedom Fries".

[RN7]

Looks like Brexit is about to happen.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar voted to stay in the EU. Wales has voted to leave and the leave vote is well ahead in the key population bloc in England.

Pound Sterling is in free fall against Dollar, Cameron will have to resign and the EU and Euro could implode!