Many tongues, one voice

Would it not be much simpler if we all spoke the same language? Surely linguistic diversity stands in the way of efficient international communication? Why do we not just cast off the economic burden of multilingualism? These questions have been raised on numerous occasions, triggering heated debates on the merits of a proposed European lingua franca. However, a closer look at Europe’s linguistic wealth reveals that the benefits of multilingualism far outweigh the costs.

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