Speaking in (23) tongues.The European Union European Union (EU), name given since the ratification (Nov., 1993) of the Treaty of European Union, or Maastricht Treaty, to the European Community , established in 1992, is an alliance of 27 democratic countries. As the E.U. has grown, so has its list of official languages. There are now 23: Bulgaria Bulgaria (bŭlgâr`ēə), Bulgarian Balgarija, officially Republic of Bulgaria, republic (2005 est. pop. 7,450,000), 42,823 sq mi (110,912 sq km), SE Europe, on the E Balkan Peninsula. and Romania Romania (rōmān`ēə, –yə) or Rumania (r  –), republic (v), 91,699 sq mi (237,500 sq km), SE Europe. just entered the union, and Gaelic Gaelic (gā`lĭk), or Goidelic, group of languages belonging to the Celtic subfamily of the Indo-European family of languages. See Celtic languages; Irish language. Gaelic - For automated test programs. has been recognized as an official language of Ireland. All official documents must be translated into all 23 languages, at a cost of more than $1 billion a year. But in Paris, the biggest concern is how rapidly English is replacing French as the E.U.'s common language. Jacques Chirac, the President of France, says he is determined to defend the role of French across Europe, and France thinks it has at least part of the answer: free French classes for E.U. officials. |
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