Multilingualism and European Identification

Abstract

The literature on ethnicity and nationalism notes the centrality of language in group formation. Developments connected to globalization have simultaneously propitiated learning more than one language and the emergence of post‐national and pan‐ethnic identifications. This article brings the literature on ethnicity and nationalism to bear on the analysis of these changes to assess the causal relationship between multilingualism (ML) and European identification (EI). Sociology and social psychology provide solid theoretical arguments for why they should be related. The article tests this relationship with Eurobarometer data from 2010. I show that ML has a causal impact on EI and that interaction helps mediate this relationship. The effect of language on EI is modest, however, and interaction does not appear to be the main mechanism mediating it. The article concludes with speculation as to the role of low relative cross‐national mobility in Europe as the main explanation for some of the findings.

Foreign Language Usage and National and European Identification in the Netherlands

“…In relation to European identification, a few empirical studies have examined and found that identification with Europe is stronger among people who are able to speak more languages (e.g., Fuss et al, 2004;Medrano, 2018). For example, using data from the Eurobarometer, Medrano (2018) found that greater number of languages known predicts greater European identification even when controlling for demographic variables such as age and education.…”

“…In relation to European identification, a few empirical studies have examined and found that identification with Europe is stronger among people who are able to speak more languages (e.g., Fuss et al, 2004;Medrano, 2018). For example, using data from the Eurobarometer, Medrano (2018) found that greater number of languages known predicts greater European identification even when controlling for demographic variables such as age and education. However, and as will be detailed further, these studies (1) focus on self-reported language ability or number of languages known rather than regular foreign language usage, (2) do not simultaneously consider national identification, and (3) do not test the psychological mechanisms that might explain the relationships between multilingualism and European and national identification.…”

“…Multilingualism can be conceptualized in different ways, such as in terms of knowledge, ability, proficiency and frequency of usage. Research on multilingualism and group identification tends to ask participants how many foreign languages they are able to speak (Fuss et al, 2004;Medrano, 2018;Mepham & Martinovic, 2018). This measure appears to be weakly associated with European identification (e.g., Medrano, 2018) and one possible reason for this is that knowledge of foreign languages might be less important for superordinate (i.e., European) identification than the actual regular usage of these languages.…”

“…Research on multilingualism and group identification tends to ask participants how many foreign languages they are able to speak (Fuss et al, 2004;Medrano, 2018;Mepham & Martinovic, 2018). This measure appears to be weakly associated with European identification (e.g., Medrano, 2018) and one possible reason for this is that knowledge of foreign languages might be less important for superordinate (i.e., European) identification than the actual regular usage of these languages. Regular language usage might represent a sense of investment and genuine desire for development and edification, while number of languages known can reflect pragmatic considerations and requirements of a country's education system.…”

“…Openness is a necessary and distinct characteristic of the "diverse-yet-united" European identity ideal, as it attempts to creates an umbrella identity under which diverse national groups and cultures can live in peace. Given how foreign language usage involves two typical characteristics of EU citizens (European multilingualism, European Commission, 2012; and openness, European Union, 2020), people might attach more importance to their European identity when they regularly use European foreign languages in their daily lives (Medrano, 2018). More regular foreign language usage can be expected to make people more aware of being European and more inclined to self-identify as European.…”