Before writing about the importance (and evolution) of languages in diplomacy, I would like to briefly explain the meaning of the word diplomacy, since despite being a common term, an average person is not necessarily familiar with its proper meaning.
This is one of those words everybody seems to know but maybe we really don’t.
Broadly speaking, and according to Wikipedia, diplomacy is a profession intended to represent and defend the interests of one State with respect to another State or international organization.
Just by reading this simple definition it seems to me that the importance of languages for diplomacy is crystal-clear, as it basically deals with negotiations and discussions between two parties. And for this, the use of language is essential.
Since old times, when emissaries arrived to a foreign territory for purposes of strengthening economic, social or political relations, the first thing they did was learning the new language or get familiar with the different customs of that place in order to establish long-lasting relations.
In today’s world, the role played by languages in diplomacy is still extremely relevant, as they help achieve greater practicality in negotiations, foster a dynamic communication and enable a superior clarity when it comes to preparing legal documents.
Its role is so important that there is an official diplomatic language, a quintessential language used to carry out all political and diplomatic relations. And such language, as everything else in the world, has been evolving over the years based on cultural changes and emerging needs.
Latin was the first diplomatic language. It became an official language for the execution of religious, political and public affairs throughout Europe. The most important treaties of the time were drafted in Latin, which remained effective as official language well into the 17th century.
Then, things changed. France emerged as the most influential European powerhouse of the time, and this caused French to become the language of diplomacy, holding the top spot until the middle of the 20th century.
Even though French remains nowadays as one of the most relevant working languages internationally, guess what language came to replace French as primary diplomatic language?
I suppose many of you guessed it right: English.
The reasons seemed very obvious to me.
However, and even though English is today’s most important and influential language when it comes to diplomatic relations, multilingualism is still considered equally valid and well-accepted by the United Nations, which is why the U.N. has declared 5 “official” working languages within said organization: English, French, Spanish, Russian and Chinese.
History has made it clear that one language rarely remains on the top spot as official language. Today’s official language will not necessarily be the same as tomorrow’s.
Having said that, have you thought about what language will become the next language of diplomacy?
WHAT’S THE LANGUAGE OF DIPLOMACY?
Before writing about the importance (and evolution) of languages in diplomacy, I would like to briefly explain the meaning of the word diplomacy, since despite being a common term, an average person is not necessarily familiar with its proper meaning.
This is one of those words everybody seems to know but maybe we really don’t.
Broadly speaking, and according to Wikipedia, diplomacy is a profession intended to represent and defend the interests of one State with respect to another State or international organization.
Just by reading this simple definition it seems to me that the importance of languages for diplomacy is crystal-clear, as it basically deals with negotiations and discussions between two parties. And for this, the use of language is essential.
Since old times, when emissaries arrived to a foreign territory for purposes of strengthening economic, social or political relations, the first thing they did was learning the new language or get familiar with the different customs of that place in order to establish long-lasting relations.
In today’s world, the role played by languages in diplomacy is still extremely relevant, as they help achieve greater practicality in negotiations, foster a dynamic communication and enable a superior clarity when it comes to preparing legal documents.
Its role is so important that there is an official diplomatic language, a quintessential language used to carry out all political and diplomatic relations. And such language, as everything else in the world, has been evolving over the years based on cultural changes and emerging needs.
Latin was the first diplomatic language. It became an official language for the execution of religious, political and public affairs throughout Europe. The most important treaties of the time were drafted in Latin, which remained effective as official language well into the 17th century.
Then, things changed. France emerged as the most influential European powerhouse of the time, and this caused French to become the language of diplomacy, holding the top spot until the middle of the 20th century.
Even though French remains nowadays as one of the most relevant working languages internationally, guess what language came to replace French as primary diplomatic language?
I suppose many of you guessed it right: English.
The reasons seemed very obvious to me.
However, and even though English is today’s most important and influential language when it comes to diplomatic relations, multilingualism is still considered equally valid and well-accepted by the United Nations, which is why the U.N. has declared 5 “official” working languages within said organization: English, French, Spanish, Russian and Chinese.
If you want to learn more about the history of official languages, click on this link: http://ask.un.org/es/faq/13553
History has made it clear that one language rarely remains on the top spot as official language. Today’s official language will not necessarily be the same as tomorrow’s.
Having said that, have you thought about what language will become the next language of diplomacy?
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