Here are three more springboards for discussion when introducing newcomers to the European Union. This trio is thematic.
1. An evolving Europe: by any measure, the size and scope of the European Union has ballooned. It’s instructive to trace the progression through the six, the nine, the twelve, the fifteen, the twenty-five, to the twenty-seven: Today’s European Union grew over time, through a series of enlargements. This can be a prelude to discussion of the accession process, the limits of Europe, and what EU membership means (or is intended to mean).
2. Democracy: This is more than a civics point. Instead of recalling classical Athenian democracy, it’s urgent to remember that Spain, Portugal, and Greece transitioned to democracy recently. So Europe is actually a hallmark of young democracies. Is there anything special about European democracy, as opposed to democracy as practiced elsewhere?
3. Education: a model that is state-funded, universal, basically free to students, secular, and that stretches from early childhood through doctoral or professional degrees.
What do these points have in common? On first glance, not much. Except that, together, they do set Europe apart from most anywhere else.
I have the privilege to introduce Europe and European business to firms and people from afar. This is to share some techniques that make that introduction worthwhile and insightful.
It’s stimulating to strike themes and issues that matter in a lasting way, more so than institutional structure or public policies. History is a good avenue for discussion when introducing newcomers—whether from China, Australia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, or the USA—to the European Union. The history in question is within human memory; some of thiose who lived it are alive today.
Here are three themes for discussion.
1. Postwar: The starting point when discussing contemporary Europe is 8 May 1945. The Second World War cost Europe dearly, especially in civilian casualties. A few graphs, photos, and memoirs make this point vividly. The challenge is to recall the human and material consequences of the Second World War, without dwelling on the details of the war years.
2. A necessary economic reconstruction: The shift to peacetime began with taking stock of destruction and realization of the weighty task of normalization. At the time, centrally planned economies and nationalization were leading tools, accepted and used as a matter of course. Of course, both seem odd today. Economic reconstruction permits discussion about colonies and also enables discussion and debate on the Marshall Plan.
3. An emerging cold war: Postwar Europe was built (or rebuilt) under a shadow or cloud. Especially for those under 30, the cold war is receding quickly into history. The European Union began as a project among countries in the west. It occurred in the context of an ongoing military presence, long after hostilities ceased. An English-language history of the postwar period, as viewed from the east, would be helpful.
When writing for or presenting to an audience made up of people who don’t speak English as their native language, avoid Latin expressions. People who grew up speaking Japanese, Arabic, or Bahasa Indonesia will not encounter Latin expressions in their native language or even after years of schooling.
Latin expressions are especially prevalent and troublesome in scholarship and in law.
Latin expressions frequently used in scholarly writing include: i.e., e.g., ad hoc, mutatis mutandis, and status quo.
Legal writing in common law countries (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) often uses Latin expressions. Troublesome examples include: de facto, de jure, per se, prima facie, ex parte, and forum non conveniens.
Many or all of these words or expressions are included in English dictionaries. But why push certain readers to consult their dictionary? And the dictionary will not help much for listeners, because Latin words and expressions are pronounced differently than English words.
In the law—as in scientific, medical, or technical fields—writers sometimes use only a Latin expression. Examples include habeas corpus and certiorari. A legal dictionary will define the expression, but a speaker or writer addressing a group of non-native speakers will want to add a parenthetical or footnote on the first use, so that the whole audience will be able to follow.
The New York Times carried a short, eye-catching article describing how Egyptians often use the expression inshallah (God willing). The expression has long been used when referring to future events (“Will there be a good harvest?”), but today is often added when replying to most any question (“What’s your name?”).
As the article makes clear, inshallah is a display of faith and a badge of piety. I would add that inshallah is also a sign of belonging, of community.
The article is more than an exotic travel piece, and inshallah is more telling than, for example, the clothes people wear on the streets of Cairo. Especially when viewed from a hyper-secularized environment, like the New York Times newsroom or the streets of Paris, inshallah is a meaningful cultural difference.
But what about near neighbors? France and England are geographically close, but a world apart in many ways: what side of the street motorists drive on, what you eat for breakfast, what language you speak, when the workday begins and ends, how a law court works, whether children wear a uniform to school, what you watch on television. Some of these differences are purely conventional (coffee or tea), others are cultural, a tag akin to inshallah.
When thinking about culture, how can we separate what makes a difference—to mutual understanding, to a view of the world, to the success of a business venture—from the myriad little differences of everyday life?
Does your firm have far-flung operations? Does it depend on people communicating at a distance in a second language, English? Is it looking for ways to boost English competence without burdening either front-line employees or managers?
One resource worth looking into is the Voice of America Special English program.
Special English is a simplified variant of English, designed for non-native speakers. VOA makes available a 1500-word dictionary, broadcasts and podcasts, transcripts, exercises, and other resources.
The price is right: free. The service is available via the web, and the resources are accessible everywhere.