Mehrsprachigkeit in Europa: Plurilinguismo in Europa ... - EURAC

N. I. Xirotiris, K. Simitopoulou, E. Styliara
Multilingualism is considered a diffi cult task at the early educational phases, but they all
recognise its value later on, as a tool of multi-directional communication and as a professional
qualifi cation.
Although language is perceived as an element of their cultural identity, it does not function
as a factor of ethnic or national separation.
1.5. Conclusion
A fi rst conclusion is that, regardless of its origin or mother tongue, the young generation, living
in a multicultural environment of a European country with a continuously improving life level, is
adapted in the variability of linguistic behaviours. The co-existence of many languages in their
area is accepted as a natural situation. They are prepared to live anywhere in Europe and plan
their future putting a strong effort to ameliorate their educational status and their professional
qualifi cations. Most of them follow (or plan to) higher education studies. This makes a big
difference in comparison to their parents. With very few exceptions, they are not aware of the
political dimension of languages, do not express any kind of linguistic fundamentalism and are
well adapted to the world of new communication technologies. They would like to learn more
languages mainly through PC or e-leaning methods. Despite their Muslim belief, they adopt a
western life style, just as the other young boys and girls in the area (Greek speaking orthodox,
Russian speaking migrants from the former USSR, Armenians, etc.).
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