Which future EU language will be best?

[Tiverius]

I know that you Greek don't like it but Greek is not the oldest existing language in EU but definitely the oldest written language.

I can't tell for sure.I should also add that Greek is a mathematic language too....

[lazza]

It's an interesting question.

As a Brit, I often feel embarassed about my own and my compatriots abilities in other languages. Even before US english became such a dominant force, the approach of most people in Britain was to simply SHOUT IN ENGLISH VERY SLOWLY. This has hardly changed...

But I think it is the responsibility of all EU citizens to do everything possible to understand the basics of each other's languages. Speaking just a few words of the native language when you visit a country is not only useful, it shows a willingness to break down cultural and communication barriers. Where two people meet who speak 50 words of each others language, communication is possible. (OK, so for more complex communication require for business, science, law, etc., this is not sufficient, but it's a start)

I really believe (and hope) that every country will continue to use its own language, but that we will all continue to make efforts to learn as much as possible in as many languages as possible.

As another post said, French was once the universal language, now it's English, but who's to say Chinese is not next. Anyway, that's what I'm learning.....Da jia zai jian!

[Tiverius]

As a Brit, I often feel embarassed about my own and my compatriots abilities in other languages.

Will you feel more embarassed if I say that some British haven't abilities even in english? Go to Corfu or to Rhodes and you'll see!

I think Chinese is much more difficult than French or English to be international language and to be spoken from non-chinese people.The next big thing is gonna be the Spanish language.

[lazza]

So true! I think you have perhaps heard the British drunken dialect...

As for Chinese, it can't be so difficult. I have friends whose 2 year old child can speak it.....