Brexit and English as a Lingua Franca in the European Union

Abstract

This chapter argues that Brexit strengthens the normative case for English as the lingua franca of the EU. As observed by Philippe Van Parijs (Linguistic justice for Europe and for the world, Oxford University Press, 2011), the rise of English as the EU’s and global lingua franca is accompanied by various injustices that affect non-native English speakers. These speakers have to bear most of the costs associated with learning English and enjoy fewer opportunities than native English speakers due to their lower level of English proficiency. Moreover, their self-respect risks being undermined by the fact that their native language(s) is(are) considered less important and prestigious than English. This chapter examines these injustices in turn and argues that Brexit will reduce all of them, thus enhancing the moral justification for adopting English as the sole or main lingua franca of the EU.