1999 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Cultural Policy of EU and Intercultural Contacts in Belgium
| Project/Area Number |
09041047
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C).
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
社会学(含社会福祉関係)
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| Research Institution | HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY |
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Principal Investigator |
ITO Naoya Hokkaido Univ., Institute of Language and Culture Studies, Associate Professor, 言語文化部, 助教授 (60261228)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1997 – 1999
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| Keywords | EU / Belgium / Cultural policy / Intercultural contacts / Multi-culturalism |
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| Research Abstract |
Europe has to a large extent retained the diversity of its original languages (derived in part from Latin and Ancient Greek), this diversity being the outcome of a process of cultural development that began in the distant past. The multiplicity of European languages is of course a treasure to be safeguarded. It is essentially a question of creating in the European Union a general atmosphere of mutual respect in a context of diversity, I.e. of fostering better understanding of the innumerable linguistic and cultural nuances that are specific to Europe, and thus attempt to produce a spirit of positive tolerance based on recognition and solidarity. It is in this spirit that some practical suggestions of the EU are put forward on how to promote a spirit of linguistic comprehension and tolerance, and encourage language teaching in the Community. Rather than delve into possible solutions to technical problems, it would be advisable to adopt a number of political measures aimed at settling linguistic problems within the EU geographical area in a spirit of freedom and mutual respect.
In this spirit, bilingualism and multilingualism, while very much a feature in Europe, are largely ignored and should be given recognition wherever they occur, be it in regions, groups of people, or individuals. This new approach would also make a major contribution to easing tension between language groups. Furthermore, administrative practice should take cross-border linguistic patterns into account and, when training programmes are drawn up, leave a suitable amount of room for languages that are geographically close to each other.
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