site.btaMEPs Discuss Opportunities to Protect Small Languages in EU

Brussels, March 22 (BTA Correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - The European Parliament's Petitions Committee Wednesday discussed the opportunities to protect knowledge of the so-called small languages in the EU, those spoken by a small number of Europeans.

The discussion was held at the initiative of MEP Svetoslav Malinov (EPP) who supported the request of the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad.

Most EU countries do not provide opportunities for language exams at graduation from secondary school or acknowledgement of a European language certificate. Usually, only the main languages studied like English, French, German, Spanish and Italian are recognized. This discriminates students, the association said in its opinion.

On behalf of the Association, Kamelia Konakchieva said the matter concerns hundreds of thousands of European families and their children. She cited the example of a Bulgarian secondary education student graduating in France in which case the diploma did not quote Bulgarian as one of the known languages. This, she said, leads to a "loss" of mother tongue which is not maintained any longer.

Konakchieva cited the example of Ireland where there are exams in all European languages upon graduation. Hungary, too, acknowledges language certificates by European standards. What is petitioned is valuation and validation of linguistic capacity and their entry into student diplomas.

A representative of the European Commission said a recommendation relevant to the matter is being prepared.

Malinov pointed out that the matter refers to a Bulgarian petition alone only at first glance. Essentially it is European and relevant to minority language. The petition must remain open and EC should take this into consideration. The European Parliament should also consider discussing the subject in plenary, he added.
..