'Oldest English words' identified

Some of the oldest words in the English and other Indo-European languages have been identified, scientists believe.

Reading University researchers say "I", "we", "two" and "three" are among the oldest in use and date back as much as 40,000 years.

BBC website

Cornish language extinct, says UN

The Cornish language has been branded "extinct" by linguistic experts, sparking protests from speakers.

BBC website

Words of warning: 2,500 languages under threat worldwide as migrants head for city

Unesco unveils its first comprehensive database of endangered tongues

The Guardian

Brussels seeks recruits for an English victory

In the early days of the European Union, French famously dominated as the principal language spoken in Brussels' corridors of power, something our cousins across the Channel regarded as a significant national victory.


But yesterday the European Commission was forced to admit that times have changed, as it launched an appeal for more native English speakers to act as interpreters.

The Independent

School teaches engineers Chinese

About 30 engineers at a Glasgow-based firm are going back to the classroom in a bid to improve their skills.

But rather than heading to the science lab the Clyde Union employees are more likely to be found in the language lab as they are learning to speak Mandarin

BBC website
Friday, 20 February 2009

Need for intensive language classes

Those wishing to improve language skills need to recognise the range of levels of skill that may be required

Today's Times has published a letter from Roger Bloxham, Suffolk in response to Baroness Coussins.

Lack of native English interpreters threatens European Commission

The European Commission’s interpreting service faces a potential succession crisis of linguists with English as a native language, according to a statement released today. Without an increase in the number of qualified graduates, the EU Institutions are set to lose at least one third of their English language interpreters by 2015 due to retirement.

19 February 2009
CILT, The National Centre for Languages

The EC’s interpreting services have produced a video clip to help young English speakers learn more about the interpreting professions. ‘Interpreting for Europe…into English’ is launched today on YouTube.