Juncker: Why English is 'losing EU clout' - BBC News

[@psychominded3243]

Great, grown up, mature behaviour Juncker. The president of the EU everyone. Pondering to the French now as you know if Le Pen wins the EU is finished.

[@josedourado3747]

Chris Brown great to know that you support Nazis in order to sink the friendly European union. if the European union fails you fail, NATO fail. Eurasian and another security alliance in Europe will win.

[@josedourado3747]

Murdoch Chan you live in other dimension.

[@josedourado3747]

Murdoch Chan you are a racist. don't come out of your cave, you can catch to much sun and get a Brown skin.

[@josedourado3747]

Murdoch Chan if you get a tan another racist white will say that you are not an European and you should leave LOL. plus you chan sound like a yellow

[@awesomeavenger2810]

You can be against EU federalisation and Le Pen and her KGB paymaster at the same time.

[@callumlegg3304]

What's with all the personal attacks? Just because the country voted to leave, they attack our nationality, and now they're targeting our language? It goes to show how petty they are in the EU.

[@Realroyrogers]

Perfect! Jean-Claude Juncker makes Brexit the best choice and his real colors are showing

[@bahnstormer]

I'm from Malaysia and went to university in England. I hope you Brits stick it to these Euro snobs. Forge even closer economic ties with the rest of the world, particularly with countries in the Commonwealth. Best of luck!

[@bernardmcavoy1864]

Thank you for your kind words and your confidence in us.

[@garmonbozzia]

@@Just_another_Euro_dude people from the Great Shitstain are fishing for compliments from poor asian countries. awwww.

[@petercott1]

Next month June 6th will be the anniversary of D day. Now the EU thinks it good to take the piss out of the Brits. We should never again use our military and intelligence services to help them out .

[@petercott1]

Patryk Wieczorek Basically we don't want to be part of a Super State. It was not what we joined in the first place. If you are Polish I have utmost respect for your country and people who went through hell for the cause of freedom and democracy. The EU establishment ( not the European people) have nothing but contempt for the UK for simply not wanting to be part of this Super State project.

[@athos796]

I don't have comtempt for the UK, I just want a deal that is best for the EU, since I live in the EU.

[@bobrail733]

Patryk Wieczorek sorry juncker is one bitter twisted piece of evil shit with a hatred for Britain as been waiting for this for months for all the time Farage showed him up in EU as the drunken fool he is 😨😨😨

[@petercott1]

flyhigher I guess you're not part of the EU establishment then.

[@athos796]

+pete hammer What is the EU establishment? Why should the EU cave to unfair British demands?

[@johnmacleod4481]

this is not the behaviour of a man said to have been of great standing.

[@bobrail733]

John Macleod standing ! most of time laying under his table pissed

[@abcun17]

I'm not a British citizen, but I think the United Kingdom made a mistake chosing to leave the EU. Now, having said that, I think that this slight was completely out of place because it smacks of the arrogance and dismissive attitude people, especially in the UK, have come to detest about the EU. A career politician like Juncker, who has dedicated long years to diplomacy and public service, should know that words matter and that what he said was completely uncalled for and an unnecessary insult, which will do nothing but add fuel to the fire and further complicate an already tense and tenuous situation. If you want respect you have to earn it. Juncker should be aware of this more than anyone else, especially for one in his position. Acting like a petulant child is simply put idiotic.

[@michaelfox9013]

I am English. I must admit to a sense of relief that less English will be less spoken.I often refer to 'The curse of English' since our ubiquitous language open us up to the world. Half of the children born in London are born to a parent not born in the UK.Some parts of London no longer have any pubs. In one part there were 350 acid attacks on people last year.

[@rickjames8916]

English is losing importance!?! WTF

[@perussaataja]

This is ludicrous. English is the lingua franca of the world and it has overwhelming power over French or German in pop culture alone. This wont change by some EU ruling or complains from mr. Juncker lol

[@MrBlackSheep331]

Shame for him that English is the most widely spoken language in the world. He's not bitter though...

[@mielerodriguez5678]

What a bitter little man.

[@josedourado3747]

Miele Rodriguez lol I have to admit that you Russian propagandists were right about England lol

[@tomlinid]

English, Chinese and Spanish are the languages that many international companies conduct business in. I doubt that the south Americans, Russians or Chinese are going to stop learning English to learn French instead.

[@Litany_of_Fury]

Gonna be a pain to translate the languages of Europe into French. Simply more people speak English... this is an immature action by the EU commission.

[@Dingzeefs]

Primarch Alpharius I cant believe they let him speak like that for the EU. Im from the Netherlands and I feel angered by this speech

[@Derdonaueschinger]

Politics is not always about being mature. Besides, if the only important EU english speaking country leaves the union, using english will only remind us of the loss of the UK. We need to move forward and develop the use of other languages, like french or german. If more ppl speak english, it's because english is the most taught language... Just replace it with another and there you go after a few years

[@Litany_of_Fury]

Why replace a working language with another? Changing the curriculum would only effect the young youth and only see majority speaking in over 60years. I'm fully aware this is a political move but if it's not my place to scrutinize the EU commission who is?

[@bearchildofdeath]

French isn't that difficult

[@Derdonaueschinger]

French is already a working language of EU since its beginning.

[@Greenpoloboy3]

Sad man.

[@larrydelamb]

Je suis irlandais et je parle anglais pour une communication quotidienne, mais je parle aussi de l'allemand et du français irlandais, alors j'accepte les commutations humoristiques de monsieur Junckers. Humour. Une question. Pourquoi son père a-t-il changé le nom de famille de Junker à Juncker après leur déménagement au Luxembourg après la Seconde Guerre mondiale avec leurs biens volés et l'argent a produit le bombardier de plongée Stuka pour le troisième reich? Est-ce qu'il paraissait plus de français?

[@Ish216]

I see only ranting in the comments from people who apparently didn't understand what he was saying. He wasn't saying English should be replaced for French as second language but he was saying since elections are coming up in France, and Britain is leaving the EU, he will use French for his speech - indicating that the French election is more important.

[@fodsaks]

That's not all he said and you know it.

[@Ellio1862]

Why is this guy so bitter towards the UK? Just because they don't want to be run from Brussels.

[@b.hagedash7973]

It's cute that he thinks french will replace English in Europe now that Britain has left while history suggests he should brush up on his German and Russian.

[@L12crox]

The EU is losing importance.

[@alihussain6269]

john jones Lol although i voted remain i certainly hate these clowns tell us what we can and cant do. Good luck speaking french then i guess whilst the rest of the worlds has adopted English as their second language

[@xarigow555adam4]

The Funny thing is before you British go mad, How comes most of these Europeans speak at least 2 or 3 different languages while all English speaking leaders speak only there mom language, ( even Trump with German Father can't speak German ). Only English and Germans are the ones with only there mom language speaking. Go To The Netherlands for example Most people Speak 2, 3 languages after dutch, German, English, french, they learn at schools and speak.

[@xarigow555adam4]

Ali stupid, this guy learned different languages, including English, and you speak only your adopted language one , look this guy jucker speaks French English, German . how idiot you must be

[@CharlieVane21]

Because everyone speaks English

[@alihussain6269]

john jones i can speak punjabi and urdu so your point being what?

[@davidnavarro4821]

He's right. English language's influence will diminish not only in the EU but also in the UN.

[@Velgaeris]

I voted remain but the actions and attitude of the EU anger me enough to be glad that we left. What kind of organisation tries to punish members for having the audacity to leave?

[@Aspartame69]

French is becoming the international language? Such arrogance in the face of reality.

[@margaretthatcher3238]

despicable man. English is the most important language in the world... perhaps all time, up there with Latin and Greek. It is the language of freedom, it is a language of true expression, it is a language of choice, is it a language of a nation who have the world the emphasis of the importance of liberty, and it is the most beautiful language in the world. Shakespeare, Dickens, Tolkein, Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa.... it is the language of the world, not matter what the authoritarian institute of the EU says.

[@Mars-uj9ye]

It's not just english losing importance. It's the whole UK.

[@josedourado3747]

junker is right, and to prove it are the english speakers in every single European union countries.....

[@wayneronnie7402]

Somebody needs to transmit the memo to the rest of the world.. Stop learning English!

[@clansman89]

So majority didn't get the joke?

[@joep5684]

This is a very clever speech written for Juncker, because it could appeal to undecided French voters to vote for Macron who leans more towards Europe. The unfortunate flip-side is that by belittling the UK, it rouses more anti-EU sentiment there. Nevertheless, France is the priority this month. Britain will not rejoin the EU for decades until the strong remain vote by younger British citizens is better reflected once the pro-Brexit elderly population dies.

[@AdamCKA]

Joe P fuck the EU, this kind of behaviour sums up the EU politicians.

[@crowhillian58]

If anyone could do with a clout, it's Juncker.

[@Michelle_Schu-blacka]

The irony is that he had to make that ridiculous comment in English.

[@AdamCKA]

Oh how bitter they must be that English is the lingua franca.

[@chunkymonkey55555]

He personifies the EU in every way...

[@bernardmcavoy1864]

No , English will not decline in importance in Europe. But French will have even less importance in the UK than it has now.

[@Julien-bt7fd]

i don't give a shit how anybody expresses himself! The EU is planning approval of glyphosate for another ten years? the corrupt disgusting idiots don't care about nature wildlife and above all the people this idiots have absolutely no clue what devastating implication this poison has on the soil and this are the roots of many diseases and health problems!

[@austinmini8240]

Arabic will be new E.U. language.

[@ramsg9988]

Juncker is definitely talking Junk. I just hope the lady in France wins to triggers Frexit and then see this Junkee face!

[@Carubidul]

Except the language that's the most important in Europe after English is German. But we wouldn't want to encourage Germans to take charge of anything, would we?

[@Reallaw-p8o]

We need to make sure people of the UK, that we actually get Brexit, it's going to be attempted unravelling at every opportunity now. Hold that Conservative party to account.

[@momphert2026]

By his own reasoning he should have expressed himself in German (which he speaks), it is the most widely spoken language in the EU, far more widely than French.

[@tomhulme1176]

i wish nothing but success to every european country but the eu commision i hope comes to an end there nothing but self important interfearing middle men who take a cut of every deal done like pigs in a troff the greed will be there own downfall just like fifa

[@tomhulme1176]

Grey Chip its important people dont blame the leaders of eu countries for the failures of the european council look at the likes of poland and hungary theyve voiced there opinions on what changes need to happen then get a politicle dressing down and get told if you dont like it leave but then they see how the uk is being treated with a much stronger economy and retreat its scandelous

[@awesomeavenger2810]

Sad and bitter old man

[@lukkyluciano]

why this even a story? Britain is leaving....of course English wont be the main language

[@j2_t942]

Wow, they really hate the English don't they? This is a silly comment from him because he is a silly man.

[@kristoZen]

Surely your braincells are losing importance.

[@asnowman8094]

Juncker reminds me of Sepp Blatter

[@charieb4604]

Yeah, 7 million allied men, for this.

[@gaelsouilhol8053]

Il a raison de parler un peu français, l'anglais est devenu un peu boring, everybody can speak it, there is nothing speacial about it...

[@martync7436]

I think it was the Americans speaking English as well that made the language so important on the world stage, so Junker really does not have a relevant point to make here.

[@abovemedium1163]

how many drinks deep was he when he made this speech?

[@charieb4604]

Says "I'm going to express myself in french" in English

[@blazednlovinit]

The drunken fool is getting more and more pathetic as the weeks go by xD

[@charieb4604]

Well, i'm English and learnt Spanish instead...

[@DCDVassili]

Juncker speaks more languages than all British that have be Wounded in their national pride

[@AdamCKA]

Yet you speak in English, badly aswell.

[@adv.rabisankarchowdhury5778]

more rational than the logical

[@vickefau7857]

People understand that this is a joke right?? A bad joke sure, but still only a joke.

[@chiarascarafaggio7787]

Arrogant as usual Mr. JUNCKER! are the European people to be consulted about his plans for the United States of Europe and a European army to stop another Brexit and keep us in Check? YOU ARE SURE WE ARE NOT!!!!

[@SlimTortoise]

Funny how he says English is less important and everyone understands and laughs :-). I'm guessing he starts to talk in french and out come the translates ear pieces and the army of translators start to work, :-) I think German should be the EU's nation language, its only fair as it is a German run

[@dirtyp4670]

who da fook is that guy.

[@al-py2qr]

juncker assassin

[@captainamerica9028]

All of Europe should be speaking American including the UK.

[@JB-gh1vk]

As they always have, the french will eventually capitulate.

[@wallacetf]

haha a man from Luxembourg speaking english to declare how the english language is losing importance. some jokes write themselves.

[@scpmr]

I see many angry english linguo-imperialists in the comments (and their minions from the former colonies)

[@AdamCKA]

And I see a hypocrite using that same language to communicate.

[@scpmr]

That's so they (english linguo-imperialists) could understand. Hope this will change in the future

[@AdamCKA]

As long as the US holds dominance over the world that won't be changing anytime soon.

[@mistyblue6575]

VIVE LE PEN ?

[@melvinbeck5047]

Yes, finally: getting rid of English and its users.

[@melvinbeck5047]

@@kevt3318 The UK is finally a third country somewhere in the Northsea.

[@melvinbeck5047]

@@kevt3318 Look, I do not dislike the British at all: they give you a straight answer when you need one and they are honest. I really like these traits. However, what the Britons who voted leave do not understand is the fact that Britons belong to the European family. The departure of the UK effectively has undermined this kinship to the European family.

[@melvinbeck5047]

@@kevt3318 It is a widely shared perspective within the European realm and beyond that Britons belong to the European pedigree. I know that Britons are different culturally and differences in sociocultural mannerism exist. Nevertheless, I repeat my view that Brexit has undermined not only the UKs place in Europe but also its standing in the world. You may not like it and you may be opposed to it, but the EU is a powerhouse in this world.

[@melvinbeck5047]

@@kevt3318Whatever might have been the reason that jolted the erratic decision to leave the EU, I do not think that these reasons were rationally informed.

[@melvinbeck5047]

​@@kevt3318 Another British trait that I think is cute: 'passive-aggressiveness'. I am a combative type, and I think that war, in general, is not only about causing pain; it is also a rather intimate affair. I know that Britons enjoy stories about the war, and I cannot blame them: in fact, WW-1 and WW-2 were rather electrifying periods in the European age. I believe that the British never got past the war, and indeed stories about it are deeply connected to the British psyche. I love a fighting spirit, and this attitude in quarrelsome Britons converged at one point when the Americans were looking for a trustful ally for the 'from East-to-farther-East' campaign. Americans know you can always trust and fall back on the reliable Britons: they will never let you down. Aside from how much I like having sex with Britons, my point is this one: UK's GDP fell by 2,000 (US$), and regardless of the upheaval of trade worldwide after the COVID-19 downturn in global economic activity, it was the UK that did not exceptionally benefit from the post-COVID19 economic boom. So, that is why depicted the UK as an island somewhere in the North sea. In the UK living standards did not go up, but down. Kevin, I do advanced statistics on economic data for daily living: I know how it is like in the UK for the majority of 'normal' Britons.

[@mikehlee69]

Who elected you again?

[@692mhw]

Megalomaniac and drunken fool. Luxembourg has never been important.

[@bobrail733]

Biggus Dickus what was wrong with old Europe without eu parliament all seemed to get on fine individually and the people as well eu as ruined it Italy Greece Spain Portugal once great countries now not worth a carrot ..only one making anything in all this appears to be Germany like latest bank moving there funny these firms never move to Greece or Italy its always Germany ..I don't care what happens as long as Britain is out of this corrupted so called union 👍👍👍

[@lh1690]

You see, he's just a man.

[@SectorAlphaZero]

Was that comment that Juncker Said A bit on the Racist Side or is it me???

[@RatFacedJasper]

This is funny, though not anywhere near as funny as when Le Pen wins and France leave the EU.

[@krebbin259]

Ha. Man makes ironic joke about English and little englanders get pissed off. Where is the great British sense of humour Now?

[@AdamCKA]

Krebbin the only irony was that he was speaking English and the English know the difference between a joke and spiteful petulance.

[@krebbin259]

pet·u·lant (pĕch′ə-lənt) adj. 1. Unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered; peevish. 2. Contemptuous in speech or behavior. [Latin petulāns, petulant-, insolent ... He sounded quite jolly to me:-) We need to lighten up. An economic collapse of the largest trading group the UK has will NOT be funny though.

[@tillsee8218]

They should just speak german not french lol

[@AdamCKA]

Till See but then that would remind them that it was English speaking countries that liberated them from the Germans haha

[@nomoney1433]

hahaha

[@reginaeggmann]

It doesn't matter what language he chooses for his speeches. Is there still somebody out there, who really cares what this strange guy has to say? I also recommend, that he quickly starts with the lessons in German. What if France leaves this crazy club too? hahaha

[@jdredbull283]

lmfao

[@eug3nius]

BBC news is losing importance.

[@xarigow555adam4]

Juncker speaks, English, french, German., Miss May only English. sad. The Funny thing is before you British go mad, How comes most of these Europeans speak at least 2 or 3 different languages while all English speaking leaders speak only there mom language, ( even Trump with German Father can't speak German ). Only English and Germans are the ones with only there mom language speaking. Go To The Netherlands for example Most people Speak 2, 3 languages after dutch, German, English, french, they learn at schools and speak.

[@stephanieclarke6963]

XARIGOW555 ADAM Thats easy all learn to speak English!

[@AdamCKA]

XARIGOW555 ADAM because English is the lingua franca, and if you a born speaking English there is little to no reason to speak anything else.

[@adv.rabisankarchowdhury5778]

more rational than the logical