The European Union's language regime is unique in the world. Referred to laconically in the Treaty of Rome (see Article 211 EEC, now 342 TFEU), it is the subject of the first Council Regulation (1/58) adopted on 15 April 1958. The text has not changed since then, except in the number of official and working languages it enshrines (originally four, now 24). The stability is only apparent, however, and is less a sign of real agreement on the practices followed than of the difficulty of agreeing on another system. The subject is, in other words, the site of a vast unspoken language, as prestigious linguists have been pointing out for many years. This is partly explained by the obligation imposed on States by the treaty to act unanimously in order to modify the original arrangement. Although central, the question of the language regime applicable in and by the European Union (EU) is rarely discussed.
Registration before 27 September 2021
