European culture suffers without a common language

In theory, the European Union has a common language - English. In practice, European culture has none.

I’m Polish. I speak Polish, English and a bit of German. Yet I have no real contact with the culture of any non-English-speaking country in Europe. German culture, French culture - they are out of my reach. Everything I read is in English or Polish.

I learn about niche topics from articles written in the USA, the UK, Australia and India. Thanks to them I know more about motorcycles, ecology, technology, life and much more. Those countries are so far away from each other, yet they share culture much better than European countries that are neighbours…

There is no language I can write in to be understood both by my own nation and by our neighbours. The same goes for them, and it makes me very sad. If you are Polish, you write in Polish to become popular in Poland - obviously. But by doing so, you limit your reach and the development of European culture.

Language barriers keep Europeans apart. In the long term, good culture is the highest value we can create, and no law can substitute for it.

Is it a coincidence that so many more innovations and startups come from the USA than from Europe?

Learning a new language well enough to express subtle thoughts with ease is too big an effort for an average person. I see the problem. Do you see it too?

Thank you for your attention,
Waldek

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