What can TM be thinking of?

I did say Juncker may have a value point re speaking English!

The point is he clearly chose to mock the UK. He could have simply spoke in French from the outset but that was not his intention. Having watched the recording of him speaking throughout the day on t.v news stations it was as clear as the nose on your face he knew what he was doing and he enjoyed the cheers from the audience.

What he was doing and has been doing for a while is use his position as President of the EU Commission to belittle the UK when he can.
--

www.politico.eu/article/brexit-will-never-be-a-
success-junckers-top-aide/

" Commission president Juncker will not spend more than 30 minutes a week dealing with Brexit, added Selmayr."
----

Juncker is winding up Theresa May but as I said earlier every time he opens his mouth he gives Theresa May more votes.

English has not lost its importance as a world language but it is no longer as important as it was
Not sure about that MargaretX because English is the global language of business, of science and no amount of saying by Juncker that it is losing importance will make it true although it is true that Germany is trying to promote the learning of German overseas

It is estimated that over 1 billion people are currently learning English world wide. These numbers are driven by adult speakers around the world who use English to communicate in the workplace.

That is no reason for the British not to learn a foreign language, however!
Mandarin and possibly Spanish should be more widely taught in British schools imo.

Oh dear, if you could hear yourself GGMk2!

ut of a population of 314 million, durhamjen? Whoopee...

Totally suzied. Now the truth of the negotiations is beginning to come home I am sure we are going to here more childish insults to logic I'm afraid.

How bitter you are suzied - do calm down...

Why wouldn't the EU favour the EU ? Oops no they are "ganging up" and "bullying" , when they insist on following the rules, and won't roll over for TMay.

38+ million US citizens speak Spanish. Not bad.

No it isn't Ninny. I am not an "EU lover" and saying that what Junker was saying is just common sense does not make me one. Your comment neither true nor does it add to any sort of debate.

Why do you think agreeing with the premise that the 27 countries - with no UK - none of whom have English as their language means that English is becoming less important to Europe is favouring the EU? That is quite a ridiculous statement when all he said was the truth.

I see the EU haters are criticising anyone or anything connected with the EU.
Just as true , no?

Perhaps not but it's the truth.

I see the EU lovers are again sticking up for Juncker.

Is that really intelligent debate?

I see the EU lovers are again sticking up for Juncker. Carry on Juncker with your sarcastic remarks it will just give Theresa May a bigger majority in the general election. Thanks goodness we are leaving.

And he's only being awkward because he can - and playing to his audience.

What about Ireland don't they matter.

While I'm sure a lot of Americans speak Spanish, by and large they are not renowned for their language skills particularly where 100% fluency is required, I would hazard a guess that fluency in the English language is going to remain as important as it ever has been in diplomatic circles whatever Herr Juncker thinks or says, after all he won't be there for ever, God willing!!

Scary article. Is May a closet Kipper?

politics.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f5ab5efdb629954eb1b8df87b&id=ac4b4c417a&e=f5e4f66f33

There are 'official' EU languages - French, German and English. Most business is conducted in one of these languages. As so many countries teach English as a second language and are generally good at it they often use it in the Patliamentary chamber. I dare say it has quite a lot to do with America speaking English and many other countries having it as their second language.

In any case, the EU uses interpreters. Merkel can speak perfectly reasonable English, but usually prefers to speak German and uses an interpreter.

I doubt if there are many diplomats who don't speak English and another couple of languages.

Dialogue with the uS wold be fine niggly lots of US citizens speak Spanish.

It's the UK that has always had problems with getting enough language speakers to work properly in the EU.
Why should the EU give in to our parochialism now?

The EU can speak in whatever language it pleases, perhaps German would be appropriate, or French! To be honest who gives a toss what language they adopt except the countries whose diplomats are not fluent in whichever it is they choose - dialogue with America could be difficult!! [shrug]

Who exactly is 'bleating on'?

This issue of language always makes me laugh. It is so old fashioned and emphasises yet again how backwards looking Brexiters are. We have never taken well to learning or speaking other languages and if Juncker was mocking well we probably bloody deserve it. English isn't as important as it once was and we should recognise this not bleat on because someone actually tells us so.

With 27 countries, none of whom have English as their language, surely all he was doing was stating the obvious. I suppose you can take offence at that if you choose to but it does seem less than logical to do so.