From Babel to Brussels: European integration and the importance of transnational linguistic capital

Abstract: Globalisation and the political process of European integration opened the European Union member states to one another. As different EU member states have different languages, participation in globalisation and the process of European integration is dependent on Europeans’ ability to speak the languages of others. Those who speak multiple languages can more easily come into contact with citizens of other countries, conduct business and diplomacy, cooperate academically, organise protests across national boundaries, or enter into romantic relations with them. In short, they can socialise transnationally in a number of different dimensions. Those who only speak their native language are, in contrast, tied to their home country and can only take slight advantage of the perks of a united Europe and a globalised world. Possessing transnational linguistic capital is a deciding factor in whether or not someone can participate in an emerging European society; it becomes a new measure of so

Object Details

• Alternative title: Von Babel nach Brüssel: Europäische Integration und die Bedeutung von Transnationalem Linguistischem Kapital
• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource, 222 S.
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Veröffentlichungsversion ; nicht begutachtet

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Berliner Studien zur Soziologie Europas / Berlin Studies on the Sociology of Europe (BSSE) ; Bd. 28

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Sprache, Linguistik

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Berlin
• (when): 2012
• Creator: Gerhards, Jürgen
• Contributor: Freie Universität Berlin, FB Politik- und Sozialwissenschaften, Institut für Soziologie Arbeitsbereich Makrosoziologie

Further information

• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-389169
• Rights: Open Access; Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:55 AM CEST