Multilingualism in Europe : A Paradigmshift from ‘mono’ to ‘multi’
Multilingualism in Europe : A Paradigmshift from ‘mono’ to ‘multi’ with special reference to Germany presented by Prof. Dr. Neeti Badwe, 12 th October 2011, Mumbai Introduction This presentation is about the political ideologies and linguistic strategies in the 19 th and 20 th century Europe and the ensuing paradigm shift from mono-lingualism to multi-lingualism. The discussion will be concluded by briefly reviewing multilingual practice in our era. European countries have come a long way from their foundation in the 19 th century till end of the 20 th century. It is almost a complete turn-around in their structural and ideological basis from the nation-state-hood to a member state of the EU. This becomes apparent if we see a broader picture of Europe at the end of 19 th century vis-à-vis that of at the end of 20 th century. Europe at the end of 19 th century Romanticism, realism, modernism, imperialism and nationalism characterize the 19 t...