The Language(s) of Politics

Prof. Nils Ringe

ISBN 10: 0472075136 / ISBN 13: 9780472075133

Published by The University of Michigan Press, US, 2022

About this Item

Multilingualism is an ever-present feature in political contexts around the world, including multilingual states and international organizations. Increasingly, consequential political decisions are negotiated between politicians who do not share a common native language. Nils Ringe uses the European Union to investigate how politicians' reliance on shared foreign languages and translation services affects politics and policy-making. Ringe's research illustrates how multilingualism is an inherent and consequential feature of EU politics-that it depoliticizes policy-making by reducing its political nature and potential for conflict. An atmosphere with both foreign language use and a reliance on translation leads to communication that is simple, utilitarian, neutralized, and involves commonly shared phrases and expressions. Policymakers tend to disregard politically charged language and they are constrained in their ability to use vague or ambiguous language to gloss over disagreements by the need for consistency across languages.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780472075133

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Language(s) of Politics
• Publisher: The University of Michigan Press, US
• Publication Date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0472075136
• ISBN 13: 9780472075133
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Multilingualism is an ever-present feature in political contexts around the world, including multilingual states and international organizations. Increasingly, consequential political decisions are negotiated between politicians who do not share a common native language. Nils Ringe uses the European Union to investigate how politicians’ reliance on shared foreign languages and translation services affects politics and policy-making. Ringe's research illustrates how multilingualism is an inherent and consequential feature of EU politics—that it depoliticizes policy-making by reducing its political nature and potential for conflict. An atmosphere with both foreign language use and a reliance on translation leads to communication that is simple, utilitarian, neutralized, and involves commonly shared phrases and expressions. Policymakers tend to disregard politically charged language and they are constrained in their ability to use vague or ambiguous language to gloss over disagreements by the need for consistency across languages.

About the Author

Nils Ringe is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Jean Monnet European Union Center of Excellence at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.