Diplomatic Negotiations

Language of Diplomacy

Until the 17^th century, Latin was the language of diplomacy because it was the universal language of all educated Europeans. From the 17^th century on, however, French increasingly became the language of diplomacy because of the preeminence of France in Europe, the precision of the language, and its use as the “court language” throughout Europe. The U.S. entry into World War 1 marked the rise of English as a second language of diplomacy. During the interwar period, the records of the League of Nations were kept in English and French. After World War, the framers of the UN sought to create a five-language system.

Simultaneous translations of French, English, Russian, Spanish and Chinese take place at all meetings. Most UN documents, however, are published only in French, English and Spanish. When treaties or conventions are drafted, the parties designate one language -usually French or English -as the basis for any discussions about meanings or interpretations.

Answer the questions:

1. What was the official language of diplomacy until the 17^th century?

2. Why did French become the language of diplomacy from the 17^th century on?

3. When was English marked as a second language of diplomacy?

4. What language system did the framers of the UN seek to create after the WW2?

5. What languages are most UN documents published in?

Although negotiations have traditionally been left to professional diplomats, very important negotiations are increasingly being undertaken by specially selected envoys or foreign ministers and heads of state.

The problem of deciding what practices and tactics are most effective in negotiating is difficult. The German-American political scientist Hans.J. Morgenthau in the book “Politics Among Nations” (1948) perhaps best summed up the ideal modern diplomacy: (1) Diplomacy must be divested of its crusading spirit; (2) the objectives of foreign policy must be defined in terms of the national interest and must be supported with adequate power; (3) diplomacy must look at the situation from the point of view of other nations (4) nations must be willing to compromise on all issues that are not vital to them; (5) the armed forces are the instrument of foreign policy, not its master; and (6) the government is the leader of public opinion not its slave.

Answer the questions:

1. Who are the very important negotiations undertaken by except professional diplomats?

2. How did the famous political scientist sum up the ideal modern diplomacy?

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27