Building bridges of civilization

First came Greek, his mother tongue. Then English, German, French and Italian, as well as Polish, Turkish, Spanish, Swedish, Bulgarian, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Serbian-Croatian, Jewish, Kurdish, Armenian, not to mention ancient languages, from Latin to Urdu, including Sanskrit, and the idioms of ancient Persia. The list could continue further, to include 32 languages. Such is the number of the known and certified languages spoken by Ioannis Ikonomou, born in Crete 49 year ago, working at the translating services of the European Commission from 1995 to 2002. "My dream was to study many languages that would act as a bridge linking those countries and lifestyles that I have learned to appreciate in my studies", Ikonomou told Gianni Borsa, SIR Europe correspondent.Which is the first language you have learned, and why? How did your studies continue? "I was born in Crete, an Island with a rich historical heritage, which many tourists visit also for its natural beauty. Since childhood, especially during the summer months, I remember people arriving from distant lands speaking languages I couldn’t understand, while I had an increasing yearning to understand, to communicate…Tourists were the first thrust that led me first to take courses in English and then in German. I put a lot of passion and commitment, and I soon managed to express myself in different languages. But the presence of so many historical treasures on the island led me to study also ancient languages, which I later studied at university, first in Salonicco, then at Harvard, in the United States, and later on in Austria. Finally, the European Parliament offered me the opportunity to study interpretation in Spain and thus I started working in European institutions".Is yours a "simple" predisposition or is something more needed to learn so many languages? "Hard work is needed to learn languages. But it is equally necessary to appreciate its culture of reference, as it is necessary to love that Country, its history, literature, landscape, music, food and traditions… to learn its languages we need to build bridges towards other nations and peoples. That’s why I feel cosmopolitan. I love travelling. I have friends from Beijing to Brasil. In this period I enjoy watching Lithuanian television, so as to perfect the language and learn more about its customs, mentality and culture. Language isn’t just grammar, it’s the expression of a civilization". Would you suggest young people to study languages?"I obviously would. There are those who see further job opportunities, and they are right. But even more so, language skills teach us to open up to others and to the world around us. With languages, in addition, we learn to understand ourselves better, our abilities and limitations. And this vast world is appreciated more fully. For example, through the study of Turkish, Arabic, Urdu I learned more about Islam and the reality it represents, and found that it is not – as someone paints it – only burqa and terrorism. Languages ​​foster understanding and reciprocal respect, thus becoming an instrument of peace".The EU claims that multilingualism promotes cultural diversity. What do you think? "I think this is the most appropriate path for true European integration. We have to open the doors of our ‘European village’ to the nations of the continent, and cultural and linguistic diversity constitute the foundation for the future of the EU, which isn’t just economy and markets. Just think of how boring Europe would be if we were all the same or if, conversely, each one of us remained confined to our own home, to our own Country… If we want to become citizens of the European Union, in its manifold aspects, it must become part of our life, with its laws, institutions, its political actions in favour of citizens".What does your work consist in?"I generally translate legislative texts. In this moment I am working on a document on migrations. I know that it’s a small detail of the EU legislative process, but in this way I wish to bring my modest contribution to the EU building. And with or without crisis, this is the European populations’ Common home".What is the most beautiful language you have studied? Which is the easiest one to learn? "There isn’t a most beautiful language. Each language is beautiful inasmuch as it expresses a ‘world’, thus people. While I must admit I found it hard to learn Chinese. It isn’t harder to learn than other languages. Rather, it should be said that its words express ideas and concepts that are very distant from our traditional way of thinking". Which new language would you like to speak? "When I travel I try to meet people and cultures. I make a large use of satellite tv, which reveals undiscovered areas of the planet… If tomorrow I found new stimulus from a specific culture, I would try to see that Country and learn the local language".