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by traceroute66 147 days ago
> Because unlike the US, we don't speak the same language.

The majority of Europeans, and especially those of recent generations speak incredibly good English.

Most Europeans speak 2–3 languages anyway, so there is always a common language to be found. No need for one to be forced on you.
2 comments
ExoticPearTree 147 days ago
Yes, they might, but in practice and with the exception of multinational corporations and some start-ups, everyone speaks their own language. And it's all fun and games that you can speak english in restaurants, cafes, train stations and the like, and then when you want to find a job in an EU country you get hit with "do you speak our language? no? ah, we're sorry then."

There's a big difference between being a tourist in Europe and actually living here.

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traceroute66 147 days ago
Well, if you insist on not learning a non-English European language, last time I checked Ireland was still in the EU and they speak English.

But honestly, I'm not sure what the problem is. As previously mentioned by other people on this discussion, vast swathes of Eastern Europeans live and work in the West and have had no trouble whatsoever picking up the local language. As they say, the best way to learn a language is by immersion.

Most Europeans will have gone to a school where they typically learnt a minimum of one extra language and often two extra languages.

With the exception of Finnish, the majority of Western European languages are not that difficult. Its not like Chinese or Japanese which are simply impenetrable unless you went to school there or you are super-smart and managed to pick it up in later life through sheer brain power.

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zajio1am 147 days ago
Common language works for employment and business, but then you go to government bureau (or want to fill government form) and they will insist on official language.

That is why english as secondary official language would be beneficial.

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