Endangered languages in the EU

In line with wider global trends, many languages currently spoken in Europe are endangered and some are at imminent risk of extinction. Though education and language policies remain the competence of Member States (MS), the EU has taken initiatives to promote multilingualism and preserve European linguistic diversity, including measures in support of regional or minority languages which have dwindling numbers of speakers. Nonetheless, the precarious state of many European languages is a cause for concern, with growing acknowledgement that a decline in linguistic diversity also entails broader losses in terms of knowledge and cultural heritage.

ESO: Background information: Corsican MEP battles for Europe to protect endangered languages http://www.europeansources.info/record/corsican-mep-battles-for-europe-to-protect-endangered-languages/

ESO: Background information: French Conservative MEPs opposed EU resolution on minority languages http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-conservative-meps-opposed-eu-resolution-on-minority-languages/

---