Being a bilingual nation is not that easy, as witnessed by linguistic disputes that are currently brewing in Belgium.

Belgium is a dual-language nation, with the northern population speaking Flemish, the South speaking French, and Brussels and its immediate surroundings considered as true bilingual zones. It’s not always an easy combination.

For example, recently a newly-elected mayor was not allowed to take office because of a dispute over which language the ballots were in. Most of his constituents speak French, but he lives in an area where ballots legally must be in Flemish.

“‘I was elected with 75 per cent of votes. I was elected by the majority. But the Flemish government refused my victory because I did not send all the ballots in Flemish. I sent some in French,’ he said.

French speakers are complaining of discrimination, saying the Flemish are trying to remove their special voting rights.

‘Someone who works for the district can’t speak in French. He can talk in another language, in English if he wants, but not in French. It is forbidden,’ explained one bar owner in Overijse.”

(Extract from Euronews, April 23 2010)

Language Translation, Inc. in San Diego, California, provides translation and interpretation services in over forty languages, including 24 European languages. “We speak your language – and theirs.”

Betty Carlson