Borrowings in world languages, particularly from English, occur within complex sociocultural and political contexts, eliciting various governmental responses aimed at regulating, limiting, or managing such linguistic influence to preserve national identity and language purity.

Globally, English serves as a dominant lingua franca, contributing extensively to loanwords across languages, especially in technology, business, and popular culture domains.

This prevalence often drives concerns about linguistic sovereignty and cultural authenticity, prompting interventions.

Several governments have instituted legal frameworks and policies to control borrowings from English.

France is a prominent example, with its legislative measure, the Toubon Law, and the activities of the Académie Française, which advocate for the use of French terms over English equivalents.

More recently, Quebec’s Bill 96 enforces stringent regulations requiring, among others, the translation of legal documents into French, francization of companies, and sets legal consequences for noncompliance.

These efforts reflect a broader desire to defend French language rights amidst dominant English usage.

The law imposes obligations on businesses to register with language authorities, adapt marketing materials, and ensure French predominance in public signage and communication.

This has elicited debate and resistance, particularly from English-speaking communities and businesses challenged by translation demands and increased administrative burdens.

Iceland, recognizing the threat of English borrowings amidst globalization, promotes the Icelandic language through institutional efforts such as the National Swahili Council (BAKITA) collaborates with journalists to develop Swahili terminology and trains media personnel to reduce English infiltration.

Although Icelandic itself is not detailed here, similar language preservationist strategies apply in small-language contexts, involving terminological innovation, educational initiatives, and media regulation to curb borrowings.

Tanzania’s approach focuses on Kiswahili, where the National Swahili Council actively promotes the language, develops standardized terminology, controls media output, and implements training programs for journalists and broadcasters to minimize English loanwords.

The involvement of language boards and compulsory participation in language services illustrate institutional attempts to manage borrowings through societal engagement.

In East Asia, Japan illustrates a parallel pattern where English proficiency is increasingly emphasized within corporate and educational sectors, partly to maintain competitiveness in global markets.

Companies like UNIQLO and Rakuten invest significantly in English language skills development, embedding language management into human resources strategies.

However, Japan’s lack of a comprehensive immigration policy and challenges for foreign workers reflect limits in managing linguistic and cultural integration.

Educationally, efforts focus on balancing language training without sacrificing cultural identity, though the pervasiveness of English causes ongoing tension.

Taiwan’s policies reflect controversy over bilingualism, where English is promoted alongside Mandarin Chinese, raising concerns about the marginalization of indigenous and local languages.

The government’s “2030 Bilingual Country” plan aims to enhance English proficiency but faces criticism for neglecting native language preservation and cultural identity reinforcement.

Attempts to regulate borrowings often meet mixed effectiveness.

Legal measures like Quebec’s Bill 96 face challenges in enforcement due to practical issues such as shortage and cost of certified translators.

Resistance occurs within communities and businesses that find strict language laws burdensome.

Language planning bodies sometimes negotiate commitments rather than outright bans, acknowledging the complicated reality of language contact.

Additionally, societal factors, globalization, and technological innovation continue to drive natural language change and borrowing, limiting the scope of control.

Overall, governments employ a mix of legislative enactments, institutional language regulation bodies, educational reforms, media control, and public campaigns targeted at preserving linguistic integrity while accommodating practical communication needs.

Borrowing from English, due to its global dominance, remains a focal point of intervention, reflecting tensions between natural language evolution and sociopolitical interests in language preservation.

These dynamics vary globally depending on historical, cultural, and political conditions, with diverse strategies ranging from strict legal enforcement to collaborative, awareness-raising approaches.

The balance between preserving national linguistic identity and integrating necessary borrowings continues to be a contested and evolving issue in language policy worldwide[24b5e92f-ac60-4068-8b1b-0baa2bb92457_750376310; d45c87bd-6464-4d92-81a8-fe3388c061c3_541630245; fa406426-733d-44ff-af5f-904e65eae514_452739852; 0468d913-6cdd-48cd-a96c-b3251d682b1e_551728946; 837cce40-ef54-4eb2-ae37-2bbb870733e2_969632983; 6551ac19-2e13-4450-9b12-8c378a20e01b_606839424; 6f022a7e-854e-4a67-b370-855403215083_293662799; c8db8155-c5ef-4558-bdfd-49ed5a6192df_492208897; b1303e58-54ef-4d24-b2a4-061de5898f49_495792642].

Borrowings in world languages, particularly from English, occur within complex sociocultural and political contexts, eliciting various governmental responses aimed at regulating, limiting, or managing such linguistic influence to preserve national identity and language purity.

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Content: The DPP and the KMT have never been so aligned: the identity crisis behind the English + Chinese “bilingual country ”
Photo Credit: Central News Agency
What we want you to know is
Originally, Taiwan could become a "multi-lingual Taiwan Community" dream through the practice of multilingual, in the National Development Council's "2030 Bilingual National Development Blueprint" was cut to "bilingual", one is the "Chinese" of the past authoritarian hegemony, and one is the "English", which was overvalued in the past.
It can be said that this is a language policy that does not conform to the justice of language transformation and consolidates the hegemony of Chinese.
Text: Chiang Wen-yu (Professor, Institute of Linguistics, National Taiwan University)
After the DPP came to power, as long as the policy was introduced or the policy changed, the Kuomintang almost always came out to voice opposition.
As big as the national name issue or all kinds of opposition that have developed to the level of the referendum, such as the nuclear fourth, gender issues, and lynx pigs, as small as the daily criticism of the vaccination rate and domestic vaccines, but if there is a policy from the development of the day, almost never seen the KMT openly oppose, what policy do you think it will be?
The impact of this “bilingual state ” policy, if examined carefully, is a sweeping, daily change in the field of education.
If the Kuomintang can vigorously oppose, perhaps this issue will attract the attention of the people, but the Kuomintang not only will not oppose, it should have been happy, otherwise it will not have held a press conference so far.
Over the past few years, this policy has become bigger and bigger, and the budget has been more and more sprinkled, with a total budget of 10 billion yuan for four years from this year.
After the school started in September this year, the United Daily News said that this year is the "first year of bilingual countries."
Yes, this policy is called “Bilingual 2030 ”.
The name “bilingual ” sounds familiar, because when Han Kuo-yu was running for mayor of Kaohsiung at the time, he proposed a“ bilingual policy ” of “homeschooling in the mother tongue, and teaching only Chinese and English in schools. ”
The Democratic Progressive Party has made the cake even bigger, and it has reached the national level.
How does bilingual education become a major policy?
The “2030 Bilingual Country ” policy was originally only a local policy that the Tainan City government wanted to promote English as the second official language, strengthen the English-friendly environment and enhance the English language. With Lai Ching-te ’ s entry into the Executive Yuan, this policy was brought to a higher level.
Later, because the government found that Taiwan did not have a first official language, and there was no legal source to make English a second official language, it changed its name to "bilingual country".
Within a short period of time, this policy was led by the National Development Council, with the full cooperation of the Ministry of Education, and the “2030 Blueprint for the Development of a Bilingual National Policy ” was proposed at the end of 2018.
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With this major change in language education, the government has mainly invited scholars to support it through three consultative meetings, and the whole policy has not been carefully considered.
If this was an uncontroversial policy, professors from Taiwan ’ s two largest language academic organizations, the Taiwan Linguistics Association and the Taiwan Language Association, would not have stood up to oppose it. As early as 2018, they held meetings in each of the North and South East to remind the government of the improper use of English as a second official language and its possible harm to the local language.
Ironically, Taiwan passed the National Language Development Act on December 25, 2018, almost at the same time that the National Development Council ’ s “bilingual nation ” banner began to fly.
In this law, which was promoted by the Ministry of Culture, the "native languages of Taiwan are" national languages ", including Taiwanese, Hakka, aboriginal languages, sign languages, Matsu, and Chinese.
People who originally supported the native language thought that the justice of the language transition could finally be implemented, making up for the trauma of the loss and accelerated death of the native language under the violence of the “Mandarin Policy ” in the past.
However, the government ’ s “Blueprint 2030 for Bilingual National Development ” contradicts the objectives of the National Language Development Act, which focuses on English and outlines three strategies for English in education, the media, and an English-friendly environment.
The other language in the 2030 Bilingual National Development Plan is not explicitly spoken, but with the current status quo of the language society, no one would doubt that it is not “Chinese. ”
Bilingual policy is nothing but a caravan.
The National Development Council (NDRC) and the Ministry of Culture (MOC) seem to have no dialogue, and the Ministry of Education, which is responsible for the implementation of bilingual education, seems to be walking on its own. The National Language Development Law, which has taken more than 11 years for the Ministry of Culture to pass, gives several local languages the status of “Mandarin ”, which is not equivalent to English in the NDRC ’ s“ Blueprint 2030 Bilingual National Development Plan.
As a result, Taiwan could have become the dream of a "multilingual Taiwanese community" through multilingual practice, and the dream was shattered instantly, and the whole thing was cut to "bilingual", one was the "Chinese" of the past authoritarian hegemony, and one was the "English", which was overvalued in the past.
It can be said that this is a language policy that is not in line with the justice of language transformation and that reinforces the hegemony of Chinese. The implementation of bilingual education has eroded the resources and hours of education in local languages (which are all national languages).
It is indeed a great irony in the modern history of Taiwan that this hegemony of Chinese language should be promoted once again by the DPP government, which used to defend the native language when it was in opposition.
Of course, the Republican Party will not oppose it.
If a language represents the entire culture, history, and ideology behind it, then the KMT ’ s view of the history of the Republic of China is shaped entirely through the use of the Chinese name “Mandarin ” as a medium.
This historical perspective has always positioned Taiwan ’ s history as the history of China plus the history after 1945, and the history of Taiwan before 1945 has been completely excluded from the historical perspective of the Republic of China.
The Democratic Progressive Party imitates the Kuomintang, abandons cultural identity
In the past, the Kuomintang (KMT) operated under the leadership of the Kuomintang (KMT) and dominated the education model of the Party, so the consequence of the "de-historicization" of Taiwanese people for many generations is that they have been unable to identify with this land through cultural and historical roots, and they are "Taiwanese" and "Chinese" identity swaying and struggling.
In fact, the "Taiwan consciousness" based on Taiwan's land is not solid, although the writing of Taiwan history and literature began to increase gradually in the decades after the lifting of martial law in the past, but the foundation is still weak; in primary and secondary education scene, the discourse based on Taiwan's history is still not fully established.
The appearance of "Scaro" has made most people discover that their knowledge of the past history of this land is close to zero.
When it comes to Taiwan awareness, if not for a whole year of “anti-sending ” actions in Hong Kong, Taiwanese people suddenly woke up, and the number of people who will be elected president in 2020 is still uncertain.
In the past two years, because of the US-China competition, the Taiwan issue has come to the international table, from the success of the epidemic to the global leadership of semiconductors to the outstanding performance of Taiwanese athletes in the Olympic Games, so that Taiwanese people have a sense of honor.
However, Taiwanese consciousness can easily disintegrate quickly if it is not deeply rooted in Taiwan ’ s language, culture, and history.
The Kuomintang ’ s cultural values of the past alienated from the land were so quickly “transmitted ” to the DPP ’ s rulers (because they were also a generation of the Kuomintang ’ s educated generation), and the DPP became the conceptual proponent of continuing to consolidate the profit-making language (Chinese) as the dominant language under the“ Mandarin Policy. ”
Deliberate myths in English, for what?
Let ’ s look at the language of another bilingual country, English.
The concept of "bilingual country" completely exposes shallow dish thinking, which will instantly elevate an English that is not a native language to a national language and enter the highest hall of Taiwan.
Language is a carrier of culture, thought, and history. We are not unfamiliar with this concept, and the study of linguistic sociology has repeatedly shown that language is an important key to personal identity and collective identity.
But once language policy is implemented at the national level, why are our national leaders so ignoring language as a vehicle for identity that the entire concept of the 2030 Bilingual Blueprint for National Development focuses only on the “communication ” and“ economic power ” of English?
What is the culture and history behind English? Is there poetry, novels, movies, and music written in English in Taiwan?
At present, English literature and all kinds of English art must be created by foreigners. Should the new generation of Taiwan identify these foreign artists as their own?
Of course, the DPP government may say, then I use time to build this English identity, we will take the big Twitter push, make this policy even bigger, fantasize that if the whole people can speak English, people will write poetry, novels and songs in English, or make movies in the future.
Of course, this cannot be achieved in the short term.
And it is difficult because there is no natural environment for that English.
And if the result of the push is that the more English language communication education is implemented, the deeper the roots of Taiwan's native language and culture will be dug out, and the weaker the strength of the link between the native language and history and culture of the new generation of children.
When Taiwan ’ s native language and culture are gone, frankly speaking, if someone reads “Scaro ” in a few decades, those Taiwanese, Hakka, and aboriginal languages that are completely unintelligible to the new generation of Taiwanese people, there is no loss and feeling, because those languages are no longer in their historical memory.
For example, the disappearance of aboriginal languages will cause great harm to Taiwan, because Taiwan ’ s history from ancient times to the present, the main discourse based on aboriginal people is the key to the separation of China ’ s “Central Plains view of history ”.
Bilingual countries are killing Taiwan.
The DPP government, which attaches great importance to elections, may not even realize that one day the pro-China parties will only have to revise their pro-China line. These new generations who grew up in “bilingual countries ” will soon turn because they lack a part of Taiwan ’ s culture and history that is important to them through the local language. Not big.
The DPP may defend itself by saying that the teaching of local languages is included in his new curriculum for 111 years, but with a 40-minute class every week, is there nothing more than symbolic meaning in language learning, which is an explanation to the voters?
In a nutshell, the transformation of English from a foreign language to a national language has its own problems, but most Taiwanese do not fully understand the concept of "improving English power, digital ability, international integration, and providing an English-friendly environment for foreigners" emphasized by the National Development Council, which does not amount to "Taiwan becoming a bilingual country of Taiwanese Chinese + English", which involves linguistic and cultural subjects and identity. Concepts.
The concept of opening a window to the world by improving English proficiency is good in itself, but the key point is to extend the "English mythology cult" indefinitely to the national level.
To put it bluntly, this policy can only be done at the level of "English language enhancement and English-friendly environment", but why does the myth of "English first" make the government think that the country and the people need a "bilingual country"? Do you know that it is difficult to achieve a "bilingual country" in the world without a natural environment?
We do not need to reduce our national dignity and self-deprecation for the sake of the international communication value of English, because those English-speaking Asian countries envied by the Taiwan government have been colonized by Britain or the United States for a long time, with the exception of the Philippines, which was colonized by the United States for a short time, and the rest for more than 100 years.
Non-English speaking countries with advanced technology in Europe and Asia only regard English as a foreign language.
France also protects French in particular, fearing that it will be "contaminated" by English.
At this point, it is no longer possible to discuss the relationship between colonization and language in detail.
Finally, please pay attention to how Taiwanese worship and anxiety about English is manipulated and linked to business mechanisms.
In his article "In fact, the English of Taiwanese university students is not a dish", Professor Ho Wan-shun revealed how the British inspection group used to create false news of "vegetable English", which aroused Taiwanese people's inferiority in English learning, and thus created huge business opportunities for the tutorial industry and the British inspection group.
Recently, the English procuratorial and remedial education industry has been advertising under the name of "bilingual country."
It seems that this business opportunity has become more fertile with the "bilingual country".
According to a report by the China Times, the number of people over the age of 20 who took the test increased by 20% after the policy was implemented.
Taiwanese people in this bilingual country already have a number of jobs that regulate the English test score threshold as a prerequisite for job hunting.
We believe that there will be more jobs in the future, and that the working level and social class of the people will be determined through the commercialized "British Inspection".
We do not believe that this should be the fate of Taiwanese people through eternal self-colonization. If you read this article, please calm down and think, is this your ultimate goal of learning English?
Before concluding this article, we would like to ask: Is it a serious violation of the value of human rights for all who care about the future development of Taiwan, please be concerned about the huge impact and distorted values this policy may have on Taiwan, and we can no longer remain silent. And...
This article is reproduced with the authorization of Thought Tank, and the original is published here.
Extended reading
Editorial responsibility: Ding Zhaojiu
Editor ： Weng Shihang
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Globally, English serves as a dominant lingua franca, contributing extensively to loanwords across languages, especially in technology, business, and popular culture domains.

Title:

Content: Advertisement

New Liberal English language critic says he feels the angst in the community

Quebec's political parties are bracing for a fall language debate with the Liberals changing their point person for the English-speaking community. David Birnbaum will replace Greg Kelley in the strategic role.

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QUEBEC — David Birnbaum knows the road ahead will not be an easy one.

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As Quebec braces for a fresh debate about language this fall at the National Assembly — one that the English-speaking community would have preferred to avoid — the veteran Liberal anglophone MNA says he knows all about the mood out there.

“There’s no underestimating the level of concern and anger in the English-speaking community,” Birnbaum said in an interview with the Montreal Gazette. “I hear about it quite constantly.

“It’s my responsibility to make sure that anger is channelled and heard and addressed with transparency, courage and honesty. At the end of the day there are always compromises necessary but those compromises have to be respectful of the two pillars I mentioned.

“Can both play their full role? The promotion and strength of the French language and the continued and legitimate place of the English speaking community and its rights to its services in its language.”

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Birnbaum last week found himself thrust back into the hot seat of minority issues when Liberal leader Dominique Anglade shuffled her shadow cabinet of caucus critics to prepare for the 2022 general election.

Out as the opposition critic for relations with English-speaking Quebecers is Jacques-Cartier Gregory Kelley. In to replace him is Birnbaum, the MNA for D’Arcy-McGee who also retains his role as critic for mental health issues.

Liberal officials said Friday that Kelley was moved so he can spend more time on his other major portfolio: Indigenous affairs.

First elected in 2014, Birnbaum, 65, is no stranger to the themes on the table, from access to services in English to calls for a beefing up of language laws.

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Before being elected the MNA for D’Arcy-McGee, Birnbaum worked 10 years as director-general of the old anglophone lobby group, Alliance Quebec, plus another 10 as director-general of the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA).

He steps into the role just as the language debate roars to life. A committee of the legislature will hold hearings into the Coalition Avenir Québec government’s proposed overhaul of the Charter of the French Language, Bill 96.

Those hearings start Sept. 21.

The Liberal opposition critic for the French language is Hélène David. At the hearings she will have the main job of questioning the minister responsible for French, Simon Jolin-Barrette, on the part of the official Liberal opposition, but Birnbaum will have a place at the committee table too.

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The Bill 96 debate puts the Liberals in an awkward position: desperate to defend French to rebuild fences with francophone Quebecers while not irritating its traditional loyal base of English-speaking voters.

The Liberals are trying to play it both ways, presenting in April their own 27-point language reform package which, in some respects, mirrors ideas in the CAQ’s own bill.

On the other hand, the Liberal policy paper also reaches out to English-speaking Quebecers by saying the party will defend their right to services.

“Before (the CAQ) tabled their bill, the Liberal Party put forth detailed and inclusive proposals that balance the two imperatives: the place of our community and our role to secure and promote the French language,” Birnbaum said.

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“The CAQ doesn’t seem to worry about the English-speaking side of that imperative. We do.

“We’ve worked to build bridges. I don’t think the CAQ even has that on its list, to look for that common ground. They get to a bridge and look at destroying it. So our approaches are radically different. The job is really tough but our community has got to be heard.”

Birnbaum described Bill 96 as “deeply flawed,” a view shared by English lobby groups such as the Quebec Community Groups Network. Birnbaum said the Liberals will be seeking “serious and substantive” amendments to the proposed bill as the adoption process unfolds.

Birnbaum said he too has heard complaints from the English community that it is under-represented among the groups presenting briefs to the committee. Of the 52 people and organizations to be heard over the nine days of hearings, only three represent the anglophone community.

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Also excluded is QESBA plus the new language lobby, the Task Force on Linguistic Policy being organized by Cowansville lawyer Colin Standish.

The hearings are expected to become a kind of tug-of-war between groups that think the bill goes too far and those that think it does not go far enough.

Birnbaum said he is disappointed the group is not more diverse but defended his party from hardline anglophone critics who say the Liberals have gone too far down the nationalist path with the CAQ in its zeal to gain francophone support.

Birnbaum said the Liberals remain the only party in the legislature defending and balancing the need to protect French and the English-speaking community at the same time.

“They (in the CAQ) are not balancing two priorities,” Birnbaum said. “They should be. They are the government of Quebec.”

pauthier@postmedia.com

twitter.com/philpauthier

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This Week in Flyers

This prevalence often drives concerns about linguistic sovereignty and cultural authenticity, prompting interventions.

Several governments have instituted legal frameworks and policies to control borrowings from English.

Title:

Content: Introduction

2020 was a trying year for dealmakers and cross-border M&A. Foreign direct investment ("FDI") has been one of the more notable casualties in the pandemic. Companies are approaching transactions with greater caution, and dealmakers have been reassessing investment decisions, particularly where they involve other countries.

At the same time, there has been a general trend towards greater FDI regulation in some places. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, continues to see its jurisdiction expand and its funding increase. In the EU, a regulation and mechanisms have been introduced that apply directly in member states and that allow one member state to make submissions where foreign investments in another member state are likely to have an impact on national security in that member state. While Asia and, in particular, Southeast Asia seem to be bucking the trend and continue to attract FDI from China and Japan, the pandemic is expected to suppress some of that early promise.

In France, Germany and the United Kingdom, we are seeing a growing emphasis on investment control and, consequently, a need to navigate related legal and regulatory challenges.

France

Since its introduction in 2005, the FDI regime in France has expanded and developed apace, especially in relation to sensitive sectors and in respect of transactions and investors falling within the scope of the regime. The evolution of the French FDI regime has often echoed wider economic or technical developments, e.g. the inclusion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing in the list of relevant sectors in 2018. Several changes to the regime were implemented following major foreign investments in the country, e.g. the acquisition of Alstom by General Electric in 2014. Decisions have also often had a political component, as in the proposed takeover of supermarket chain Carrefour by the Canadian group Couche-Tard. The Ministry of Economy and Finance rejected it in January 2021, even before a formal filing for approval had been made.

The French FDI regime was fully reformed in 2019, consolidating the amendments made since 2005, as well as additional modifications recently introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The key aspects of the reformed regime are set out below.

First, the former distinction between EU and non-EU foreign investors (whether persons or entities) was abolished and entities in the chain of control included in the definition. This amendment, together with the requirement that investors disclose any interest held by or financial support received from a state outside of the EU or its agencies in the preceding five years, have significantly increased the information to be provided in an FDI filing.

Second, the reform harmonised the list of transactions that qualify as investments under the regulation. These are the acquisition of control of a French entity, the acquisition of a business unit of a French entity or, except for EU investors, the acquisition of 25% of the voting rights of a French entity. Since the pandemic, the threshold was temporarily lowered to 10% for listed companies until the end of 2021, thereby mirroring the applicable rules in Germany and Spain.

Finally, the reform clarified the list of sectors considered sensitive and into which an investment by a foreign investor would require prior approval. The list covers not only activities directly related to defence and national security, but also infrastructure, goods and services in ten economic sectors considered vital to the national interest. Research and development activities in critical sectors are on the list as is the biotechnology sector which was added during the pandemic.

Unlike the rules for merger control filings and similar to the reforms proposed in the UK, the FDI regulation in France does not set any economic or financial conditions for its application. The size of the target will, however, be taken into consideration when a filing is reviewed.

The decisions of the Ministry on FDI filings are not made public. When reviewing a request for approval, the Ministry may require the investor to make certain commitments, including reporting, operations, or divestments. Such commitments can be negotiated with the Ministry, therefore, outright refusals are rare. The investor will generally prefer to abandon a transaction before a formal refusal is issued (as was the case with the proposed acquisition by Couche-Tard for Carrefour). However, the Ministry does not consider itself bound by its own precedent decisions, notably as regards its definition of the precise scope of the sectors covered by the regulations. In light of the continuous move towards greater protectionism, thorough preparation and anticipation of FDI restrictions are key for the success of transactions in any of the protected sectors.

Germany

Recent amendments to German foreign trade laws (the Foreign Trade and Payments Act (Außenwirtschaftsgesetz, "AWG") as well as the Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung, "AWV") have imposed on foreign investors a new layer of bureaucratic requirements and restrictions. In general, under the new rules, if a foreign investor directly or indirectly acquires at least 10% of the voting rights in a German company, the Federal Ministry of Economics may determine the acquisition to represent a threat to public order and security and, if necessary, restrict or prohibit the acquisition.

The main changes to the AWG and AWV introduce a significantly broader screening standard. The key question now is whether an acquisition or investment leads to an "expected impairment of public order or security". Before this amendment, a "genuine threat" was required before any intervention. The change is therefore likely to lead to greater scrutiny of FDI transactions. In addition, the Ministry will consider whether the transaction affects other EU member states or EU programs and projects, thus introducing a further layer of complexity and uncertainty to the review process. During the screening period, any acquisition subject to reporting requirements will be provisionally invalid until approval is obtained.

Like its counterparts in France and the UK, German government introduced new FDI restrictions in response to the pandemic. The 15th regulation amending the AWV is directed at the healthcare sector, introducing stricter regulations on companies that develop or produce goods that are essential for the long-term maintenance of a functioning health care system. For this purpose, manufacturers of vaccines, antibiotics, medical protective equipment and medical goods for the treatment of highly infectious diseases have been added to the list of protected companies.

To safeguard German know-how and technology in critical areas, the Ministry has also proposed an updated regulation which will either further restrict investment in the areas of artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology and quantum technology or extend the scope of investment control to these areas.

The extended scope of regulation and the need to consider EU interests are likely to have significant impacts on FDI in this country. We expect the changes in German foreign trade law to lead to longer examination phases of up to several months to account for EU considerations. This is likely to have a deterrent effect on FDI transactions as investors consider the pros and cons of investing in Germany (and other EU countries). Some commentators suggest that there will be a slight decline of about 6.6% in FDI volumes for 2020 (from EUR 64.7 billion in 2019), but the effect of the new regulations, as well as the government's efforts to promote the country as an investment-friendly jurisdiction, remain to be seen.

Given the new legal standards for FDI transactions, dealmakers should plan ahead, conduct any appropriate risk analyses and prepare to engage with the EU Commission and other EU member states. For M&A transactions, parties will have to examine closely the reporting obligations under foreign trade law and whether the transaction should be reported or an application made for a clearance certificate. Parties may also wish to consider the inclusion of a condition precedent in the transaction documents that the Ministry approves the transaction. Contractual amendments to account for the possibly more intensive and longer examination of the acquisition by the authorities might also be a good idea.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom remains one of the top destinations for FDI globally and has historically shied away from policing FDI in the way that some other countries have. Indeed, existing FDI controls have been addressed as part of the UK's voluntary merger control regime for years. The UK government has the power to intervene in transactions on certain specified public interest grounds.

In November last year, the government published draft legislation to reform the current FDI screening regime, introducing a framework similar to CFIUS and closer to those adopted in France and Germany. These measures are expected to give the government increased powers to block, impose conditions to, delay the closing of, or unwind FDI transactions, including joint ventures, in 17 key sectors, including communications, defence, data, energy, transport, artificial intelligence, computing hardware and robotics.

The National and Security Investment Bill introduces a broad package of reforms to the existing FDI framework. The Bill contemplates a hybrid system of mandatory and voluntary notifications. The former would apply when a transaction occurs in relation to any of the 17 key sectors. The latter would be deployed when parties observe any defined "trigger event" which may be of interest from a national security perspective. This hybrid system is supplemented with a "call-in" ability that allows the government to review any transaction that has completed but that has not been notified to the authorities. As with the FDI regulations in France, the Bill envisages that certain transactions would, regardless of market share or sales thresholds, fall within the scope of review.

The lack of safe harbours and the danger of having completed transactions being unwound means that a greater number of transactions are now susceptible to either intervention or pre-emptive and voluntary notification. Failure to make notifications where required will void a transaction. Non-compliance could attract fines of up to 5% of worldwide turnover or £10 million (whichever is higher) and up to five years imprisonment for directors.

Whilst seeking to maintain its reputation for being open for business, the UK is clearly moving towards engagement with FDI on levels and in ways more akin to its US and European counterparts. Dealmakers and companies looking to invest in British companies, particularly in the sectors described above, will need to focus on early due diligence, careful transaction structuring and pre-emptive engagement with advisers and the government.

Deal structure and timetable will be affected, as well as the way in which a target company is controlled. The use of commitments, e.g. as to the safeguarding of intellectual property rights, or divestments of certain assets, will continue to be relevant. We expect issues like persons with significant control or influence, board rights, director appointments, shareholder voting rights, and reserved matters to come to the fore. With careful transaction management and deal structuring, we believe investors can successfully navigate many of these regulatory and legal challenges. The alternative is the very real risk of having a transaction blocked from closing or, worse, unwound after closing.

Conclusion

These developments reflect the general approach taken in other countries as part of a global trend towards greater protectionism. Despite the role that FDI could play in supporting business and economic recovery, we are likely to see increasing government intervention in areas of strategic value and sensitivity. We believe these new FDI regimes will survive and continue to be relevant regardless of COVID-19 and any near-term outcomes. Investors and dealmakers would be well-advised to plan their transactions accordingly, particularly where there are concerns around the identity of the acquiring or investing entity or where the target operates in a sector of national or strategic importance.

Previously published in The World Financial Review.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

France is a prominent example, with its legislative measure, the Toubon Law, and the activities of the Académie Française, which advocate for the use of French terms over English equivalents.

More recently, Quebec’s Bill 96 enforces stringent regulations requiring, among others, the translation of legal documents into French, francization of companies, and sets legal consequences for noncompliance.

Title:

Content: A group of Quebec lawyers are challenging a provision of the newly passed language law Bill 96 that requires the translation of all legal documents from companies and groups into French.The lawyers, who are calling for an injunction, are arguing that there are an insufficient number of firms authorized to translate legal documents, and that those translations are more costly.

Lawyer Douglas Mitchell, who is spearheading the case, told the media that the Bill 96 provision creates a legal hardship for non-francophone businesses.

Representatives of the Kahnawake Mohawk Council, also on hand, also oppose the Bill 96 provision.

"It doesn't resolve the issue for community members and organizations within the community that would have to file these translations," Council Chief Ietsenhaienhs Tonya Perron told the media.

According to media reports, Quebec government lawyers say English-majority provinces require translations of legal documents into English. A decision on the injunction request could come next week, reports also say.

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These efforts reflect a broader desire to defend French language rights amidst dominant English usage.

The law imposes obligations on businesses to register with language authorities, adapt marketing materials, and ensure French predominance in public signage and communication.

Title:

Content: On May 13, 2021, the Québec government tabled Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec. This Act redefines the rules governing the use of the French language within all organizations operating in Québec.

Bill 96 is imminent and will result in significant changes in several areas with respect to business practices and obligations, including labour relations, public signage, marketing and advertising, contracts and securities, as well as civil administration interactions (The civil administration includes the government of Québec, its departments or bodies).

To help you understand and anticipate the changes to come, our team has prepared the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) offering you practical answers to the most frequently asked questions about Bill 96.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Labour Relations | As an employer, can I require knowledge of a language other than French in a job offer?
  • Public display  | Is it possible to display a trademark in a language other than French?
  • Advertising, websites and social media | Do my website and its content have to be translated into French if they are accessible from Quebec?
  • Contracts | Do contracts between two private entities, one of which is in Quebec, have to be drafted in French?
  • Francization of companies and relations with the OQLF | What risks do my company and its directors face if they do not comply with the new Charter?
  • Francization of companies and relations with the OQLF | When does my company have to register with the OQLF and begin the francization process?

Labour Relations

Q. As an employer, can I require knowledge of a language other than French in a job offer?

An employer may require knowledge of a language other than French in an offer of employment provided that such knowledge is necessary for the performance of the job. The employer will need to take all reasonable steps to avoid imposing such a requirement. While this duty to take reasonable steps should not require an unreasonable reorganization of the employer's business, it nevertheless implies compliance with the following conditions:

  • Assess the actual language needs associated with the tasks to be performed
  • Ensure that the language skills already required of other staff members were insufficient to perform these tasks
  • To the extent possible, limit the number of positions that require the performance of duties in a language other than French

Otherwise, it will be considered that the employer has not taken all reasonable steps to avoid such a requirement.
It should also be noted that the offer must indicate the reasons for requiring knowledge of a language other than French.

Reference sections: 46 and 46.1

Public display

Q. Is it possible to display a trademark in a language other than French?

A trademark may be displayed in a language other than French in public signage and commercial advertising if it is a registered trademark within the meaning of the Trademarks Act and there is no corresponding version in French on the register maintained under that Act.

If the mark is in French and in another language, French must appear in a clearly predominant manner when the mark is used in this other language in public signage visible from outside the premises.

Reference section: 58.1

Advertising, websites and social media

Q. Do my website and its content have to be translated into French if they are accessible from Quebec?

A business that offers goods or services to consumers must respect their right to be informed and served in French. In the case of a public other than consumers, the company must inform and serve this public in French. The website of a company doing business in Quebec must therefore be accessible in French. The company does not need to enter into any transactions in order to be subject to this requirement; it only has to intend to make goods or services available to the Quebec market. A company claiming that it serves no customers in Quebec may have to demonstrate this to the OQLF.

Reference sections: 50.2 and 52

Contracts

Q. Do contracts between two private entities, one of which is in Quebec, have to be drafted in French?

A freely negotiated contract may be drafted exclusively in a language other than French. As for adhesion contracts, i.e., contracts whose essential clauses are drafted in advance by a party and which cannot be negotiated, these can be drafted in another language only if the French version has been given to the adherent and the parties expressly wish to avail themselves of the version drafted in another language. There are some exceptions to this rule.

In the real estate field, the following contracts must be drawn up in French, unless the parties expressly wish that they be drawn up in another language:

  • An agreement for the sale or exchange of all or part of a primarily residential building with fewer than five dwelling units
  • An agreement for the sale or exchange of a fraction of a primarily residential property that is the subject of a condominium agreement or declaration

Reference sections: 55 and 55.1

Francization of companies and relations with the OQLF

Q. What risks do my company and its directors face if they do not comply with the new Charter?

In the event of non-compliance with the new version of the Charter, the company may be subject to the following sanctions:

  • 1st: $3,000 to $30,000
  • 2nd: $6,000 to $60,000
  • Nth: $9,000 to $90,000

Reference sections: 205 and 206

With Bill 96, directors can now be held personally liable and be subject to sanctions:

  • 1st: $1,400 to $14,000
  • 2nd: $2,800 to $28,000
  • Nth: $4,200 to $42,000

Reference section: 207

Q. When does my company have to register with the OQLF and begin the francization process?

Any company employing 25 or more people in Quebec for a period of six months will have to register with the OQLF. Following this registration, the company must send the OQLF an analysis of its language situation. Upon receipt of the analysis, the OQLF will determine whether the use of French is generalized at all levels of the company. If this is not the case, the company should adopt a francization program.

Reference sections: 139 and 140

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

This has elicited debate and resistance, particularly from English-speaking communities and businesses challenged by translation demands and increased administrative burdens.

Iceland, recognizing the threat of English borrowings amidst globalization, promotes the Icelandic language through institutional efforts such as the National Swahili Council (BAKITA) collaborates with journalists to develop Swahili terminology and trains media personnel to reduce English infiltration.

Title:

Content: Tanzania: Plans Outlined to Ensure Proper Use of Kiswahili in Media

PARTICIPANTS to the second session of the World's Swahili Services have resolved to ensure that Kiswahili language is promoted, developed and spread across the world through various media outlets and institutions.

According to them, the National Swahili Council ( BAKITA) should form a social forum which will bring together journalists and Kiswahili experts to facilitate online training and reference for journalists in case of challenges related to the language use while at work.

The participants passed the resolutions at the end of the session held at Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) which was closed by Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi

They also resolved that Kiswahili institutions should cooperate with journalists in forming terminologies and journalists should collect terminologies related to their field .

They stressed that terminologies related to journalism should come from journalists and Swahili institutions should provide regular training to presenters, especially local radio presenters

The participants also agreed that participation in the Swahili session must be compulsory due to a number of errors done by media stressing that each media outlet should have Kiswahili expert.

Other resolutions are head of journalism colleges, teachers and students must be involved in World's Swahili Services session which will be held annually in various areas. BAKITA should also be involved in formation of curricular for journalism colleges.

In increasing efficiency and ensure that Kiswahili provide an opportunity for youth to join various colleges, the participants agreed that admission forms must be written in English and Kiswahili as well as other services provided by institutions such as banks , courts , etc.

The session also involved the launch of an official Kiswahili online learn - ing tool, created by the National Swahili Council (BAKITA).

Dubbed Swahili Prime, the platform will see Swahili enthusiasts learn the language through the internet.

The initiative will also en - able leaders receiving their tutorials by certified Swahili instructors from the institution responsible with regulating and promoting the country's revered language.

Dr Mwinyi rallied media practitioners to pro - mote the language when com communicating to their audiences. "It makes us proud to see the language growing in leaps and bounds, most specifically with the huge support from theme - dia," he stated.

AllAfrica publishes around 700 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.

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Although Icelandic itself is not detailed here, similar language preservationist strategies apply in small-language contexts, involving terminological innovation, educational initiatives, and media regulation to curb borrowings.

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How To Move To Iceland In 2024

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From phenomenal volcanic landscapes to glaciers and waterfalls galore, Iceland is a nature lover’s dream. The country tops the list of desirable travel destinations for so many people with a keen interest in adventure travel, geology, or nature in general.

In the few years prior to the pandemic, more than two million people visited Iceland every year. With tourist numbers now recovering, it can seem in high season as if almost everyone you meet in Iceland is a foreign visitor.

That’s partly explained by the country’s relatively small population of just 376,000, of which two-thirds live within the Greater Reykjavik region.

Despite the perception of Icelandic society as homogeneous from a distance, over 15% of Iceland’s population now comprises first-generation immigrants. That’s a significant increase from about 10% just a decade ago.

Pros & Cons Of Life In Iceland

The stunning landscapes of lava fields, geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and glaciers attract nature lovers, keen photographers, and those with a keen interest in adventure travel. There’s a lot to love about Iceland for outdoor enthusiasts, and living there means it would all be on your doorstep.

But there’s a lot more to everyday life in Iceland than what you experience on even the longest of trips.

Because of the island’s remote location and relative lack of agricultural land, most food aside from seafood is imported and therefore expensive. The cost of living in Iceland ranks as one of the highest in Europe.

Considering the small population, finding a job is a challenge outside the fields of tourism, fishing, and renewable energy. Even within those fields, the relatively high competence of English among Icelanders means that native English ability isn't the standout skill it would be in some countries.

Temporary employment in the tourism industry is one option to consider to get a taster for Icelandic lifestyle without uprooting your life.

Immigration To Iceland

If you’re considering a move to Iceland, it’s important to become familiar with the processes as soon as possible. The overall immigration process is managed by the Directorate of Immigration, although work permits are issued by the Directorate of Labor.

There are many different categories of residence permits, so it’s important to do your research before you begin the process.

Moving To Iceland For Europeans

Citizens of EU, EEA, or EFTA countries hoping to live and work in Iceland can take advantage of a simplified process. They can enter Iceland without special permits for a period of three months. If seeking employment, this initial stay can be extended to six months.

If intending to stay beyond this period, individuals must apply for a tax card and register as a foreign national living in Iceland. This provides access to a national ID number, essential for getting things done in Iceland. The only obstacle to this is proof of financial self-sufficiency. So, essentially, if you’ve found a job within your first months in Iceland, you can stay.

British citizens should note that the U.K. is no longer an EU, EEA, or EFTA nation, so they must follow the rules below.

Residence Permits For Everyone Else

For everyone else hoping to move to Iceland, a different process with stricter rules applies. Given Iceland’s small population, obtaining residency is not straightforward and requires specific qualifications, skills, or personal circumstances.

The most common routes for non-Europeans wanting to move to Iceland are through marriage, study, or obtaining a work permit.

Marrying an Icelandic citizen grants the right to live in Iceland. This option requires a genuine relationship with an Icelandic person. Obtaining a study permit to attend a university in Iceland is a popular choice, particularly for younger people.

For most people, obtaining a work permit will be the aim. Qualified professionals in a vocation that requires university-level or technical vocational training are much more likely to succeed, as are people working in an industry with a labor shortage.

Work permits must be renewed, but after four continuous years, temporary residents of Iceland have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence. To apply for Icelandic citizenship, most applicants need at least seven years of continuous residence in the country.

There are other routes into Iceland, and many conditions for all categories of residence permit. To understand the full range of options and requirements, visit the website of the Directorate of Immigration.

Learning Icelandic

Proving your competence in the Icelandic language isn't required for a first-time residence permit. But if you're interested in increasing your chances of finding employment, obtaining permanent residence or, eventually, citizenship, then it’s worth starting to study Icelandic right away.

The Icelandic language boasts a rich linguistic heritage, tracing its roots back to Old Norse, the spoken language of the Vikings.

Renowned for its preservation, Icelandic has changed little over the centuries, maintaining a close resemblance to its ancient form. This linguistic conservatism helps Icelanders read classic sagas written centuries ago with relative ease.

The language is characterized by its complex grammar, extensive use of inflections, and a robust vocabulary with a notable capacity for creating new words from existing roots.

Start your language learning journey at Icelandic Online, a website offering several free courses for beginners. Courses include interactive visual and listening exercises on themes relevant to living in Iceland.

Follow me on TwitterCheck out my website or some of my other work here

Tanzania’s approach focuses on Kiswahili, where the National Swahili Council actively promotes the language, develops standardized terminology, controls media output, and implements training programs for journalists and broadcasters to minimize English loanwords.

The involvement of language boards and compulsory participation in language services illustrate institutional attempts to manage borrowings through societal engagement.

In East Asia, Japan illustrates a parallel pattern where English proficiency is increasingly emphasized within corporate and educational sectors, partly to maintain competitiveness in global markets.

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Japanese English is not bad! He revealed that UNIQLO improves the English language skills of employees, and the revenue is also getting stronger.
Japanese people usually belong to the second stage of English proficiency in Asian countries, but in fact, some Japanese companies such as Rakuten and Uniqlo have used new strategies to improve their employees' English.
Junichiro Nagai, executive director of the International Business Communication Association, which helps these Japanese companies implement language management strategies, points out that simply encouraging employees to learn more English will not be good, and more importantly, it will be incorporated in management.
“In the future, if you don ’ t speak English, it ’ s like driving without a driver ’ s license. ” In an interview with Asahi Shimbun in 2011, Yanai, the founder of UNIQLO, expressed his determination to make English the“ official language ” of the company the next year.
UNIQLO has been implementing the Language Management Strategy since 2012, including the TOEIC test as one of the criteria for employee promotion. In addition, to achieve the goal of overseas expansion, Yanai sends hundreds of UNIQLO store managers to foreign countries every year. In English, it opens up the ground for the company.
Under Yanai ’ s strong promotion, UNIQLO achieved outstanding results through language management strategies. In 2022, UNIQLO ’ s parent company Fast Retailing revenue reached 2.3 trillion yen, a 10-year growth of more than 145%. During the same period, the number of UNIQLO overseas stores increased from 275 to 1,585.
In addition to Yanai Masao, behind UNIQLO ’ s excellent performance, there is also a key person, is the International Business Communication Association (IIBC, Japan TOYI General Agent) Executive Director, Tsunichiro Nagai, who helped UNIQLO implement language management strategies.
Advocacy will be used for corporate language management, UNIQLO, Rakuten are customers
Tsunichiro Nagai is a pioneer of PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) tools in Japan. He has been involved in language management strategy consulting for more than 20 years. He leads the promotion team of the International Business Communication Association to provide services to UNIQLO, Rakuten Group, Shiseido, Toyota Motor, JR East and other companies.
Junichiro Nagai told Visionary that UNIQLO's revenue and overseas exhibition results are sufficient to prove the usefulness of language management strategies, "UNIQLO is a very successful case."
The language management strategy is not simply to "encourage employees to learn English and test for multiple benefits", but to regard the TOEIC test as a standard for assessing employees' English proficiency, and to incorporate the promotion conditions.
Yanai believes that Japan's domestic demand market is shrinking, and if companies want to go international, they must have English communication skills.
However, there are many factors that determine the results of a company ’ s operations, why is English proficiency so valued?
Junichiro Nagai explained that once the company wants to expand overseas, the language will form a "barrier". When UNIQLO opens a foreign branch, not only to local employees to convey the company's philosophy, but also to communicate the store layout, product display, customer reception and other content, "UNIQLO is a brand, there are brand requirements, need language to solve these problems."
Coincidentally, Rakuten Group also implemented a language management strategy in 2012, moving towards the “English-language corporate official language ”.
Back in 2010, Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani (now president and president) publicly stated that English is the only global language and the only way to globalize Japan ’ s service industry. “If you want to be successful in other countries, you have to internationalize the company ’ s headquarters. ”
In 2010, the average score of Lotte Group employees was 526 points, and five years later, it has increased to 800 points.
Last year, Rakuten Group revenue reached a record high of 1.9 trillion yen, more than four times higher than before the implementation of the language management strategy.
The English language of the country has become a key factor in recruiting overseas talents.
However, both Japan and Taiwan face problems such as fewer children and job shortages, and if the labor force continues to decline, it is bound to bring in overseas talent.
According to Tsedal Neeley, a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School who has long studied corporate language strategies, whether or not a company develops into English depends on business needs, but when members of different nationalities work together, it becomes more important for middle managers or employees working on international projects to "need a common language to communicate with others."
"English is not only a personal skill, but also an important ability to achieve the goals of the company," Nagai said. English is not only involved in the international talent competition between companies, but also a country's English language ability determines the country's ability to attract overseas talent.
For example, he points out that many Japanese companies require foreign employees to learn Japanese, "but as long as I'm good at English, I can go to Southeast Asia and Singapore to work, so why should I come to Japan?"
Language management strategy is not a panacea. Will and action work.
It ’ s worth noting that language management strategies are not a panacea for business operations.
Junichiro Nagai stressed that the success of UNIQLO and Rakuten Group depends on the strong will of the leaders to thoroughly implement relevant measures through practical actions.
On the other hand, operators with weak will, even if they are willing to implement language management strategies, may lose the voice of opposition from front-line employees and lead to failure.
For companies intending to move to English, Zedal Neely reminds them that they must plan carefully, not rush, and tailor measures to help improve their English skills according to their employees' responsibilities; otherwise, they may be frustrated by the lack of appropriate strategies.
According to the Japanese edition of Newsweek, in 2020, the average score of TOEFL iBT in Japan was 73 points, although better than the past, but still lower than the global average, and more than 10 points lower than Taiwan and South Korea.
Since the introduction of the TOEIC test in Japan, the International Business Communication Association has provided language management strategy consulting to more than 3,000 companies.
(This article is from the Vision 2023.11.4 website and is prohibited from reproducing without consent.)
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Companies like UNIQLO and Rakuten invest significantly in English language skills development, embedding language management into human resources strategies.

However, Japan’s lack of a comprehensive immigration policy and challenges for foreign workers reflect limits in managing linguistic and cultural integration.

Title:

Content: Japan without immigration policy: foreign settlement difficulties, scholars criticize the social reality
Posted by: nippon.com
Published: Updated:
With regard to the admission of foreign workers, the government has tentatively decided to expand the scope of application of the “Specific Skills No. 2 ”, which can achieve permanent settlement, to“ develop ” the problem of the skills internship system, which has been widely criticized at home and abroad.
In response to the background of Japan ’ s policy of accepting foreigners, which has been promoting “no immigration policy, ” and the lack of consistency between the policy and social reality, our editorial department interviewed Professor Naoto Higuchi, a sociologist who is familiar with immigration issues.
The policy of accepting foreigners is characterized by "squeezing toothpaste."
Professor Higuchi said that the introduction of “specific skills ” in April 2019“ means that the issuance of work visas for blue-collar workers opens the way to family migration and is a major policy change ”.
"In fact, it is a complete switch to the policy of accepting immigrants."
The reason why the Government has explicitly insisted that ‘ it is not an immigration policy ’ is mainly to take into account the sentiments of the Liberal Party and the right. ”
Specific Skills No. 1 is suitable for 12 fields, such as construction, shipbuilding and ship machinery industry, agriculture, and long-term photography, with a maximum stay of 5 years.
The previous No. 2 qualification did not have an upper limit on the length of stay, and family members were allowed to be carried, but only in the construction, shipbuilding and ship machinery industries. The Cabinet meeting held on June 9, 2023 decided to exclude the long-term photo industry, which can pass other qualifications to work for a long time, and add 9 fields such as catering and manufacturing as the No. 2 qualification, allowing foreign workers in 11 fields to settle.
"Regarding the scope of the application of the second qualification, one of the background reasons is that the five-year residence time of the first qualification will expire in the spring of next year, and the economic community has requested it."
Toothpaste squeezing gradualism – a characteristic of Japan ’ s policy of accepting foreigners – is to wait until it becomes a reality and then expand the initial quota.
Because “skilled skills ” are always needed, industry groups and authorities in all fields are pushing ahead with the preparation of the skills test required to change to the No. 2 qualification.
“In the future, we will certainly respond to industry requests to further expand the scope of application for specific skills.
including the difficulty of the examination, may gradually relax the requirements. "
Click to enlarge to learn more about the eligibility for Special Skills 2:
"General opposition, divided in favor"
As a prerequisite for “not accepting purely manual workers ”, Japan is in fact the Japanese and skilled interns from Brazil, Peru and other countries to support the labor line with the shortage of manpower.
In 1989, the Japanese government amended the Immigration Administration Act, and the following year, it provided the third-generation Japanese with “settler ” qualifications without employment restrictions. In 1993, under the name of“ international contribution ”, skills internships were turned into a system.
After the year 2000, a positive attitude towards the admission of foreign workers became active. “The ruling party and the economic community were the center of various ideas, such as a ‘ worker ’ plan that accepted 10 million people and allowed a three-year limit, but all of them failed to materialize, ” says Professor Higuchi.
On the other hand, the government is also increasing the number of foreign workers through measures such as extending the time limit for skills internships from three years to up to five years, and gradually increasing the types of industries that are suitable for them, although the epidemic has had some impact, there are still more than 320,000 interns working in Japan.
At the same time, in recent years, focusing on the construction needs of the Tokyo Olympics, it has also introduced a system for the construction industry to continue working for several years after the end of the internship, and lifted restrictions on the employment of foreigners in the agricultural field of the National Strategic Special Zone.
"In fact, these years have been in the form of general opposition and partial support for the implementation of a specific skill qualification."
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+ 22
Will the skills training system disappear?
Professor Higuchi said it should be said that the government generally characterizes skills internships as a “successful ” system.
“Labor is provided to industries where there is a shortage of manpower, but resettlement is not allowed, and the rate of disappearance in previous years is only about 3%. ”
I am sure that the Government has judged that the management mechanism has worked. "
However, because this system is regarded as a kind of labor exploitation and criticized by both domestic and foreign countries, it has to be adjusted.
Although the government is shouting for a “developmental solution ” to the system problem, Professor Higuchi believes that the mechanism of skills internships will be retained in practice.
“To qualify for a specific skill number 1, you must have a language level above the Japanese Proficiency Test N4 (the most basic Japanese you can understand), but if you work as a skills intern for 3 years, you can change to a qualification number 1 without taking the test. ”
In order to ensure the number of people who acquire specific skills without relying on skills internships, it is necessary to significantly expand the scale of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test in labor source countries such as Vietnam.
It takes one year of study to reach the N4 level.
In addition to learning Japanese, it is also a question to be prepared for the skills tests implemented by various industries.
In fact, if there is no mechanism to accept the skills of non-skilled workers, I am afraid that it will not be possible to ensure the necessary number of workers.
""
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+ 12
Freedom to change jobs
Professor Higuchi is also sceptical about the relaxation of restrictions on the transfer of skilled interns that the Government is currently studying.
If the transfer is allowed, it is feared that the labor force will tilt towards industries and urban areas with superior conditions, and may eventually be limited to allowing only changes within the scope of the occupation for which the internship is applicable.
In other words, it may end up being a situation where there is no alternative to a workplace where there is a serious shortage of manpower and poor pay.
“Even if you change to a specific skill qualification, as an employed person, you may still be physically bound to the same industry. ”
Immigrants generally tend to be independent, and making the most of their potential will benefit the overall development of the economy.
But the current system tries to manage it in a fixed mode as much as possible.
For example, although the construction industry has a higher proportion of self-employment, it has not imagined that foreigners are independent and self-operated.
Specific skills are clearly introduced as part of the economic growth strategy, but they lack the rationality of the strategy. "
Take advantage of the lessons of accepting the Japanese.
Professor Higuchi said: “In contrast to the ‘ success ’ of the skills internship system, I feel that the government ’ s policy of allowing Japanese foreigners to settle is a ‘ failure ’.
“After the Lehman crisis, a lot of people were laid off and a lot of people chose to go back home.
At the same time, even those who have worked in Japan for 30 years are mostly dispatch workers.
The fact that the children of these people do not go to school and the young people go astray has also caused some problems.
By setting a higher threshold for the settlement of 4th generation Japanese, we can see that the government is not so positive about accepting Japanese. ”
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+ 10
“In the end, the Japanese example was an experiment to see how things would go when they were freely accepted and the government let them go. ”
If language training had been carried out vigorously since the 1990s when Japanese were accepted, Japanese workers would have been better able to realize their potential.
But the Government has no intention of drawing lessons from this "experiment" to help shape policy in the future. "
In 2018, a new work permit visa was introduced for the fourth generation of Japanese who were previously only allowed to stay in Japan as caretakers.
However, there are some conditions attached, such as having N5 or above Japanese language ability (which can understand basic Japanese to a certain extent) before coming to Japan, finding “recipients ” and not being able to bring family members, and staying for no longer than 5 years, etc. Because of the harsh conditions, according to Professor Higuchi,“ almost no one applies. ”
Now, there are reports that the Ministry of Justice is reorienting its policy so that after five years, as long as it has an N2 level of Japanese language ability (which is beyond the level of daily conversation and can be communicated in a wider context), it can be changed to “settler ” residency status and allowed to bring family members, but it does not seem to expect a significant relaxation of entry requirements.
【 Related Photos 】 How easy is it to apply for naturalization of permanent residence in Japan with 12 kinds of visas? (Click to enlarge):
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Absence of general command incrementalism
The introduction of specific skills qualifications in 2019 is led by the Prime Minister ’ s residence.
But this is not to say that the prime minister ’ s residence plays the role of chief executive of immigration policy.
Professor Higuchi said: “Against the backdrop of a tug-of-war between the official residence and the economic community around economic policies, including work style reform, the introduction of specific skills qualifications is a response to the economic community ’ s desire to relax restrictions. ”
Since there is no government department responsible for the overall command, it is inevitable that a reasonable systematic policy can not be produced.
“The Ministry of Justice, which controls immigration policy, has a huge license to admit foreign workers.
But the Ministry of Justice has not thought about how to use them as a labor force.
Although the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has a "foreign employment policy department", it only has influence in the field of building cleaning and elderly care within its jurisdiction.
The basic attitude of the Ministry of Land, Transport and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is to comply with the "needs" of the relevant industries.
For example, the surge in foreign labor intake in the construction industry is due to the industry ’ s close relationship with the Ministry of Land, Transport and Communications. ”
"Originally, as a part of the economic growth strategy, it is more appropriate for the province of economic industry to master the dominant power, but they basically only care about the IT class of cutting-edge foreign talent."
In many countries, regime change has brought about a shift in immigration policy, achieving policy balance through the so-called “division of labor ” between political parties.
But in Japan, regime change rarely happens.
“At least for the VD, there is no benefit in breaking the gradualism of the splicing cloth.
Perhaps their real idea is that, in order to avoid the discontent of the right, they want to ensure the number of foreign workers gradually and as much as possible.
In accordance with the practice of gradualism, it is clear that it cannot fundamentally solve the serious shortage of manpower, but it has to be said that the Liberal Democratic Party lacks a sufficient sense of crisis. "
“Not investing, but having the ability. ”
Professor Higuchi pointed out that "because of the obsession with the word 'skills', the entry threshold is set too high."
“Rather than saying that an exam is required because it is not a ‘ purely manual worker ’, let ’ s say that it is acceptable as an unskilled worker and develop his skills, so that there is policy coherence. ”
However, first of all, we must fully implement the seminar training around Japanese language learning, etc. ”
“This is not a problem that can be solved by local government training once or twice a week.
In order to avoid communication barriers at work, it is necessary to implement centralized training, and the government should protect the training and living expenses during the training period.
This is not something that can be done locally.
However, the Government considers investment in people to be a "surplus" financial expenditure and has been trying to avoid it. "
“Since the turn of the century, language training has been implemented in Europe as part of vocational training.
For example, Germany offers 600 hours of language training for foreign workers, with a monthly stipend of around €1,000.
Although the U.S. government does not invest in people, it does not set eligibility conditions that require proof of ability after a few years.
"Japan, on the other hand, does not invest, but requires capabilities."
Without investment, people will not grow.
There ’ s a good thing about both of these.
Moreover, investing in people can curb the shortage of manpower to a certain extent, and then get feedback in the form of taxes, which is obviously an efficient investment.
Therefore, there is a big misunderstanding in Japan's understanding. "
Utilizing the Potential of Immigrants
Professor Higuchi ’ s long-running survey of Japanese people proves that there is a strong correlation between Japanese language ability and job choice.
“To become a regular employee, or to do business on your own, you must have a command of Japanese that meets the needs of your job.
At the same time, it is often recommended by Japanese people to find good jobs, and if you rely on the network between immigrants, you can often only introduce some "part-time" jobs such as dispatch workers and contract workers.
Strengthening the relationship with the Japanese will have a positive impact on the integration of immigrants into society, multicultural symbiosis, and the economy. ”
In Japan, foreigners in South Asian countries represented by Pakistanis have gradually expanded the market to the world.
According to Professor Higuchi, the core of this is foreigners who get special residence permits after marrying a Japanese woman.
“According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), immigrants ’ national business minds and entrepreneurial spirit help drive economic growth.
In Japan, not to mention the national business minds that do not recognize immigrants, they are not even allowed to transfer to fields with potential for development.
This will only weaken the economic growth potential generated by the dynamism of migration.
There must be a fundamental shift in thinking. "
[This article is reproduced with permission from Nippon.com.]
).

Educationally, efforts focus on balancing language training without sacrificing cultural identity, though the pervasiveness of English causes ongoing tension.

Taiwan’s policies reflect controversy over bilingualism, where English is promoted alongside Mandarin Chinese, raising concerns about the marginalization of indigenous and local languages.

The government’s “2030 Bilingual Country” plan aims to enhance English proficiency but faces criticism for neglecting native language preservation and cultural identity reinforcement.

Attempts to regulate borrowings often meet mixed effectiveness.

Title:

Content: French and German finance ministers Bruno Le Maire and Olaf Scholz called on the European Union to soften the organization ’ s requirements for banks ’ own funds and bonuses distributed among their employees.
About it on Monday, September 14, reports Reuters.
Euro
The heads of the French and German finance ministries have asked the European Union to relax some of the rules introduced after the financial and economic crisis of 2007-2009, in order to avoid restrictions on the issuance of loans.
This is particularly important as part of the economic recovery from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic crisis.
In a document transmitted to other EU member states, Le Maire and Scholz presented some ways of implementing the rules of the organization while maintaining guarantees for the issuance of loans.
The EU is invited to adopt a “hybrid approach ” in terms of assessing the risks of enterprises to which banks provide loans, so as not to“ slow down ” the financing of economic activities.
As reported by IA REGNUM, the French economy will fall by 8.7% in 2020 due to the economic crisis associated with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, experts of the Bank of France have calculated.

Legal measures like Quebec’s Bill 96 face challenges in enforcement due to practical issues such as shortage and cost of certified translators.

Resistance occurs within communities and businesses that find strict language laws burdensome.

Language planning bodies sometimes negotiate commitments rather than outright bans, acknowledging the complicated reality of language contact.

Additionally, societal factors, globalization, and technological innovation continue to drive natural language change and borrowing, limiting the scope of control.

Overall, governments employ a mix of legislative enactments, institutional language regulation bodies, educational reforms, media control, and public campaigns targeted at preserving linguistic integrity while accommodating practical communication needs.

Title:

Content: When we talk about bilingual education, we talk about "Singapore," but does Taiwan really understand the "bilingual policy" of Singapore?
This is a stock photo. Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Dazhi Images
What we want you to know is
Because Taiwan wants to promote the "2030 bilingual country", Singapore has become the object of learning, but this kind of "Singapore buffet" appears in the public discussion in Taiwan, what exactly to learn from Singapore is not very clear every time.
Can Taiwanese learn English in comparison to Singaporeans?
Because Taiwan wants to promote the "2030 bilingual country", there are many "a bilingual policy, their respective expressions" of the situation, in the end, what the bilingual policy content is, what the actual impact is, even if the policy is not written like this but actually has been how to practice, these contents are ambiguous in the dispute.
Among them, one of the most often lying shot, it can be said that Singapore, some people say that bilingual countries should refer to Singapore to learn Singapore's success.
Some people say that bilingual countries should learn from Singapore and see Singapore ’ s failure.
This kind of "Singapore buffet" appears in public discussion in Taiwan, and it is not always clear what Singapore should learn from.
Can Taiwanese learn English in comparison to Singaporeans? Singapore was colonized by the British, so everyone can speak English in the first place? Should Taiwanese learn English in reference to the experience of Singaporeans (Chinese)?
Once, English or Chinese were "foreign languages" for most Singaporean Chinese children.
Between the 1960s and 1970s, English and Chinese were, in fact, a foreign language for most Singaporean Chinese children.
Despite British rule and laissez-faire attitude towards education, there were four different types of schools in Singapore during the British colonial period, including English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil education systems.
The English education system is closely related to the other three ethnic education systems, and students of the traditional language education system are generally not able to use English.
But the same is true for students regardless of the education system, the languages that belong to the bottom of the society are also Chinese “dialects ” and Baha Malay.
Before and after Singapore ’ s independence, about 85% of Chinese children spoke neither Chinese nor English at home.
Unless the parents are educated in English, most Chinese children speak Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hainanese, or other Chinese languages at home (the “dialect ” of the Singapore government).
The 1957 census showed that only 1.8% of Singaporeans spoke English as their mother tongue, and only 0.1% spoke Chinese as their mother tongue.
It is very difficult to find bilingual people who are proficient in both Chinese and English.
In terms of the education system, the data from 1959 showed that there were 28,113 Chinese students studying in British schools, and 27,223 were educated in Chinese schools, almost half of them.
These Chinese students come to school to learn Chinese or English.
Since 1959, the Singapore Self-Government has been promoting “Integrated Schools ” to train bilingual talents who are proficient in Chinese and English.
The Government has appointed bilingual principals to bring together students from two different language education systems in the same school. Students meet during assembly time, recess, physical education classes and other extracurricular activities. Through these interactions, the Government expects students to promote each other ’ s language skills and achieve bilingual ability.
From 1960 to 1966, the Singapore government promoted this policy, increasing the number of schools from 2 to 75, and the number of teachers from 69 to 4,689.
However, this kind of integrated school system has not been very successful, and students in integrated education systems, whether English or Chinese speaking, have not become better at language skills than students in pure English schools or Chinese schools.
When “second language ” becomes compulsory
Although the government encouraged bilingualism until 1959, learning a second language was still a personal choice. In 1960, the ruling People ’ s Action Party made “second language ” compulsory in all primary schools. For Chinese students in British schools, it was Chinese, and for Chinese students in Chinese schools, it was English.
Since 1966, the government has made the second language compulsory in secondary education, and in 1969, the second language has become the GCE O-level examination (the entrance examination at the end of secondary education in Singapore).
This system allows all Singaporean students to receive at least 10 years of second language education.
In 1966 and 1967, English became the first language of instruction in mathematics and science in all ethnic-language school systems. In 1969, the civics language of English schools was changed to a second language (ethnic-language).
Then, history in the third year of the British school, also taught in a second language, but it did not take long to shout cards, because the language skills required for history textbooks far exceeded the students' second language skills.
There is no yelling card is to let the students of the vernacular education system learn English.
This is because the Government believes that the primary objective is to increase the exposure of Chinese students to English and help students expand their career opportunities.
Lee Kuan Yew introduces the concept of "language contact time"
Because English is linked to better job opportunities and prospects, parents will naturally choose to send their children to English schools.
The proportion of students in non-English schools dropped from 45.9% in 1959 to 33.6% in 1968.
The trend of decline is irreversible. In 1975, 79.5% of Chinese students went to English schools.
Since 1972, Lee Kuan Yew has introduced the concept of “language exposure time ” (LET), which refers to the time when students are exposed to a second language in school, whether in a second language class or in other subjects (citizenship, moral education, mathematics, music) in a second language.
The government announced that LET in primary school curricula would increase from 25% to 33.5% by 1974, with a target of 40% by 1975.
Although LET is implemented in all types of schools, the main target is Chinese students in British schools, so at this stage, we can still see that the Singapore government has a strong bilingual ambition, and they want to cultivate talents who are strong in both languages, so they will regulate the time of contact with a second language.
However, despite the government ’ s commitment to bilingual education, the drop out rate was increasing in 1974. Of the 1,000 primary school students, 206 dropped out before they obtained a certificate, while only 106 of the 440 who advanced to junior secondary school would pass the O-Level in three or more subjects, indicating that Singapore ’ s education system was clearly at fault.
"Wu Ching-jui Report" and "Chinese Speaking Campaign"
In 1978, one of Singapore ’ s founding fathers, Ng Ching Rui, who holds a doctorate in economics, became Minister of Education. Ng Ching Rui led his team of engineers to conduct a six-month survey of education in Singapore and released the so-called Ng Ching Rui Report.
The ultimate problem in Singapore ’ s education system, they argue, is the bilingual policy:
1.
The language of instruction in the bilingual system is not the language most students use at home
2.
In the rapid transition from Chinese to English education, English schools need a lot of new teachers, resulting in a decline in the quality of teaching.
3.
The current one-size-fits-all 12-year education system is tailor-made for the top 12% of students

Borrowing from English, due to its global dominance, remains a focal point of intervention, reflecting tensions between natural language evolution and sociopolitical interests in language preservation.

These dynamics vary globally depending on historical, cultural, and political conditions, with diverse strategies ranging from strict legal enforcement to collaborative, awareness-raising approaches.

The balance between preserving national linguistic identity and integrating necessary borrowings continues to be a contested and evolving issue in language policy worldwide[24b5e92f-ac60-4068-8b1b-0baa2bb92457_750376310; d45c87bd-6464-4d92-81a8-fe3388c061c3_541630245; fa406426-733d-44ff-af5f-904e65eae514_452739852; 0468d913-6cdd-48cd-a96c-b3251d682b1e_551728946; 837cce40-ef54-4eb2-ae37-2bbb870733e2_969632983; 6551ac19-2e13-4450-9b12-8c378a20e01b_606839424; 6f022a7e-854e-4a67-b370-855403215083_293662799; c8db8155-c5ef-4558-bdfd-49ed5a6192df_492208897; b1303e58-54ef-4d24-b2a4-061de5898f49_495792642].