English is the predominant language in three member states, but the other two - Ireland and Malta - have designated Gaelic and Maltese as their official EU languages, primarily for reasons of national pride. But eliminating English would be a big inconvenience for them and for others as well, as it is the most common second language in the EU. I believe it's also one of the three languages, along with French and Spanish, in which UN Conventions and other instruments have the force of law, which gives it a kind of unofficial protected status. (At least that's true for the ILO, or was when I did work there.)

I think the whole Council would have to vote to drop English, and while most of them are annoyed with the UK's stupidity, I doubt that they'd all be willing to go that far.  

(Then again, who are we Americans to talk about stupid politics?)

Mike

Michael J. Wright

Director of Health, Safety and Environment

United Steelworkers

412-562-2580 office

412-370-0105 cell

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world."

                                                                                                                                                                                         Jack Layton

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of Monona Rossol
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2019 8:17 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] MilliporeSigma Introduces New Greener Solvent, Cyrene

I never thought about that.  Gee, I hope so.   Monona