https://commission.europa.eu/edl/european-day-languages-across-eu-2024-09-01_en
The European Commission marks 1 September 2024 as the European Day of Languages, emphasising its long-standing aim of promoting language learning and linguistic diversity across the European Union. The announcement highlights key messages: that multilingualism is a “treasure” for citizens, that every language counts, and that learning even a few phrases in different languages helps mutual understanding and cultural respect across Europe. The initiative encourages schools, universities, language-learners and the public to organise activities and share their stories using the hashtag #EDL2024.
The European Day of Languages remains one of the clearer concrete annual moments when multilingualism is publicly celebrated and promoted across EU-member states. A few reflections connected to our interests:
- This kind of official celebration helps keep multilingualism on the political agenda — reminding educators, policy-makers and the public that language diversity is more than a cultural nicety. It links to mobility, inclusion, education and identity.
- From the translation, localisation and language-technology perspective: such campaigns signal institutional recognition of language-value. That in turn may signal more funding, more visibility for less-used languages and potentially more professional opportunities to engage in multilingual projects around the EDL.
- The emphasis on “every language counts” is important: while we often focus on major European or global languages, this message invites us to include regional, immigrant and endangered languages. That aligns with broader themes in our modules — language rights, identity and diversity.
- On the other hand, one might ask: how much of such a celebration is symbolic, and how much leads to structural change (in curricula, funding, professionalisation, digital infrastructure)? The annual EDL is a great awareness-raiser — but without follow-through it may remain a “day” rather than a process.
- For students and professionals: participating in #EDL2024 via a blog post, local language-event, translation/localisation challenge or social-media piece could be a smart way to build visibility and connect with European-language networks.
- Has your school/university or workplace participated in the European Day of Languages? What did you do and how did it feel?
- If you could design one simple activity for #EDL2024 in your context (city, company, course), what would it be?
- Beyond celebration, what concrete “next step” would you propose to ensure that the message “every language counts” translates into policy, curriculum, professional opportunities or digital-language inclusion in your region?
Looking forward to hearing your ideas and experiences!