EURO-JARGON

(EUROSPEAK)
Definition
Origin - 1970s.
Jargon used in the documents, statements, etc., of the
European Union or its predecessors. (en.oxforddictionaries.com)
can be confusing, complicated and sometimes elitist
specialized language that aids communication between
specialists: the legal implications of a single word can give the
text the complete opposite meaning in law to the one
intended
only approx. 15% of the officials in Brussels compiling
documents are native English speakers. 54% of those surveyed
admitted they rarely or never ask a native speaker to check
their drafts for language accuracy
wrong English A new language? (Eurish)
 Euro - words
Eurobabble
(derogatory) political jargon associated with the EU
Eurobarometer
A system of public opinion surveys conducted regularly in the
EU
Eurobill
A short-term financial instrument to finance government debt
in the EU
Eurocentric
Focused on Europe or the people and culture of Europe.
Eurocracy
The bureaucracy associated with the European Union.
Eurodollar
A deposit, in US dollars, held in a bank outside of the United
States
 Euro - words
Eurolinguistics
A young branch of linguistics which deals with questions on
the languages of Europe.
Europhoria
(informal) Positive feelings about European integration.
Europessimism
(informal) Pessimistic feelings about Europe, especially
regarding economic crises in Western Europe in the 1970s.
Euro-skepticism (Euro-scepticism)
skepticism about the benefits of increasing powers of the EU
Europhobe
one who dislikes Europe or the European Union
Euro-rebel
(Britain, politics) A politician who goes against the party line
by opposing European integration
 Euro - words
Eurotext
A text of European origin, especially one associated with the
European Union
EUROVOC
EUROVOC Thesaurus is a multilingual thesaurus (compilation
of comparative multilingual vocabulary) covering the fields in
which the European Union is active. It provides a means of
indexing the documents in the documentation systems of the
European institutions and of their users.

Which of the following do you think are real examples?

euro-fighter euro-hobbies euro-weather euro-people
euro-butter euro-chickens euro-eggs euro-fireworks
 Jargon and False Friends
accession
joining, membership, entry
active labour-market policies
job-creation schemes/measures, measures to help the unemployed
back to work
actor(s)
stakeholder??, interested group, organisation, party, participant, interest
group, those involved
aids (state aids)
Aid, subsidies.
assist at
to help not to attend
autonomous trade measures
duty-free access to EU markets
cabinet
English definition: a cupboard with drawers or shelves. In politics, a
group of advisers to the head of state. Euro-English: a private office. He
has retired to his cabinet.
Jargon and False Friends
calls for proposals
EU requests to propose projects for funding
comitology
the official term is now committee procedure, though
comitology is still used frequently= committees through which
national authorities supervise Commission implementation of
EU law, etc.
commonalities
shared or common aspects/themes/goals
compatible with the single market
does not confer an unfair advantage, does not distort
competition (preventing protectionism and stimulating
economic activity)
convergence criteria
requirements for joining (the euro), euro membership
requirements
 Jargon and False Friends
customs union
no customs/ common customs duties at internal borders
between the EU member states, common rules of origin for
products from outside the EU
(most) deprived
poorest
delay
English Definition: To make something or someone late, or a
period of time by which an event is later than expected. Euro-
English: A deadline: to respect the delay
dispose of
English definition: To throw out, Euro-English: To have or to
possess
employment opportunities
jobs
 Jargon and False Friends
ensure the universal availability of
ensure that everyone has access to
flexicurity
the oxymoronic expression current flexibility and security of work
places, two things which are virtually impossible to ensure
simultaneously
fundamental freedoms
democratic values and practices
green paper
consultation paper/document, discussion paper/document, the first
step towards legislation
white paper
EU (policy) paper, EU proposals, a more authorative report, seen as a
statement of government policy. A White Paper may also consult
public and stakeholders on policy, it does signify clear intention on
the part of the Government to pass a law.
 Jargon and False Friends
human capital development
training for staff
mobile jobseekers
people looking for work outside their home region/country
negative evolution (of the economy)
economic downturn, decline
payment service providers
banks, credit card companies
possibility
English Definition: The chance something will happen. Euro-
English : opportunity: I have the possibility to travel next year
for work.
provisions
laws, rules, points of EU law
 Jargon and False Friends
pursuing non-economic activities
not in paid work
remunerated employment
paid work
scarcity
shortage
sunset clause/provision
clause put into agreements etc. to ensure they dont run past a certain
date, the law shall cease to have effect after a specific date
tertiary education
post-secondary education, higher and further education, beyond the
high school level. This includes diplomas, undergraduate and graduate
certificates, and associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.
third countries
non-EU countries, countries outside the EU
threshold
maximum amount, limit, ceiling (amount)
Bibliography
Clear Europe, Bureaucratic Jargon Crib Sheet, http://cleareurope.eu/wp-
content/uploads/2014/10/BUREAUCRATIC-JARGON-1.pdf, 03.02.2017
European Court of Auditors, Misused English words and expressions in EU
publications,
http://www.eca.europa.eu/Other%20publications/EN_TERMINOLOGY_PUBLICATION/
EN_TERMINOLOGY_PUBLICATION.pdf, 05.08.2016
Euroepan Commision, A to Z jargon and false friends,
https://blogs.ec.europa.eu/eu-digital/sites/comm-digitaltransformation-
blog/files/europa_a_to_z_list_-_jargon_and_clear_writing_alternatives-02-06-
2015.pdf, 03.09.2016
Petra Jesensk, EUROSPEAK and ELF English as a current global Lingua Franca,
https://www.ff.umb.sk/app/accountPropertiesAttachment.php?kernelUserID=ID&ID=
657, 05.01.2017