European Day of Languages

The European Day of Languages ​​is an initiative of the Council of Europe. The aim of the day of action is to contribute to the appreciation of all languages ​​and cultures, to make people aware of the benefits of language skills, to increase individual multilingualism and motivate the people of Europe on lifelong learning of languages. Here, the rich heritage of the 200 European languages ​​should be preserved.

Historical Background

Was introduced in the European Day of Languages ​​2001, the European Year of Languages ​​. Thus, the intensive promotion of multilingualism should be continued after this year. The day is celebrated annually since then on 26 September. Under the Action of the Day Euro Europe supports together with the EU initiatives, actions and events around language learning. Currently, the day in up to 45 countries will be used for promotions. These are carried out locally and coordinated by the European Centre for Modern Languages ​​of the Council of Europe ( in cooperation with partner organizations in each country ).

The languages ​​in Europe

Within the European Union

  • Official Languages: in the Europe of the Six: German, French, Italian and Dutch ( Luxembourgish is now regarded as semi-official language )
  • In Europe of the Nine: the last 4 Danish and English (recently also applies to the Irish as a new official language )
  • In the Europe of Ten: the last 6 Greek
  • Europe of the Twelve: the previous 7 Portuguese, and Spanish ( Castilian =; Catalan is currently regarded as semi-official language )
  • Europe of Fifteen: the last 9 Finnish and Swedish
  • Europe of Twenty-seven: the last 11 ( from north to south ) Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Maltese.

Outside the European Union

  • Romansh ( 4 national languages ​​of Switzerland )
  • Russian
  • Tatar (Russian autonomous republic of Tatarstan )
  • Bashkir (Russian autonomous republic of Bashkortostan )
  • Komi (Russian autonomous republic of Komi )
  • Ukrainian
  • Moldovan / Romanian (Moldova )
  • Gagauz (Autonomous Territorial Unit Gagauzia, part of Moldova )
  • Serbian
  • Macedonian
  • Albanian
  • Croatian
  • Bosnian
  • Norwegian ( Bokmål )
  • Norwegian ( Nynorsk )
  • Faroese (Faroe Islands)
  • Catalan ( Andorra )
September 26 International Mother Language Day
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