WHAT IF ENGLISH BECAME AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE IN ROMANIA?
Currently, Romanian is the only official language in Romania. However, English is the second most spoken language in Romania. English has a higher status and is spoken by more people than other languages in Romania (even native languages like Hungarian). It is more valuable and common for Romanians to speak English in society today. Because English is prominent in so many international domains – politics, technology, business – Romania must expand their knowledge and teaching of English to continue to keep up and modernize in these domains (Crystal, David). Similar to other modernizing countries, a large portion of Romania's younger generations speak English. They will be more likely to accept English as a co-official or official language as opposed to most older generations, politicians, nationalists and linguists. The map below shows which countries have English as an official, co-official, or recognized language.
I asked a native Romanian her opinion about the possibility of English being an official language. She thinks "English can be an international language made mandatory by all countries to be used in official matters." Countries part of an alliance will benefit from using English as a way to standardize international business and politics. Yet, the risk of backlash by nationalists would be minimized. Over time the transformative effects of this policy would modernize all countries involved. Also, new English dialects would develop around the world which would be accompanied by growing interest in world Englishes.
I asked a native Romanian her opinion about the possibility of English being an official language. She thinks "English can be an international language made mandatory by all countries to be used in official matters." Countries part of an alliance will benefit from using English as a way to standardize international business and politics. Yet, the risk of backlash by nationalists would be minimized. Over time the transformative effects of this policy would modernize all countries involved. Also, new English dialects would develop around the world which would be accompanied by growing interest in world Englishes.