François Grin
Encyclopedia
François Grin is a swiss economist
. One of his research fields is the economics of language
.
Grin studied economics at the University of Geneva
, where he obtained a doctorate summa cum laude in 1989. He then was a teacher at the universities of Montreal and Washinton
(in Seattle), assistant professor at the University of Geneva and vice-director of the European Center for Minority Issues in Flensburg
, Germany. Since 2001 he is a visiting professor at the University of Lugano, in 2003 he became professor at the University of Geneva.
In his research, he studies the linguistic situation in Switzerland and in the European Union and its economic consequences. He is the author of a 2005 report entitled L'enseignement des langues étrangères comme politique publique (The teaching of foreign languages as a public policy), best known as the Grin Report. In this document, Grin indicates that the choice of Esperanto
as a bridge language for Europe would lead to an annual saving of 25 billion euros. He also suggested a language tax
to compensate for the drawbacks of countries whose language is not widespread.
Grin has also studied the case of Kalmyk
, a minority language in Russia.
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
. One of his research fields is the economics of language
Economics of language
The economics of language is an emerging field of study concerning a range of topics such as the effect of language on culture, income, markets for language-related goods and services, and the costs and benefits of language planning options, preservation of minority languages, etc. It is relevant...
.
Grin studied economics at the University of Geneva
University of Geneva
The University of Geneva is a public research university located in Geneva, Switzerland.It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin, as a theological seminary and law school. It remained focused on theology until the 17th century, when it became a center for Enlightenment scholarship. In 1873, it...
, where he obtained a doctorate summa cum laude in 1989. He then was a teacher at the universities of Montreal and Washinton
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
(in Seattle), assistant professor at the University of Geneva and vice-director of the European Center for Minority Issues in Flensburg
Flensburg
Flensburg is an independent town in the north of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Flensburg is the centre of the region of Southern Schleswig...
, Germany. Since 2001 he is a visiting professor at the University of Lugano, in 2003 he became professor at the University of Geneva.
In his research, he studies the linguistic situation in Switzerland and in the European Union and its economic consequences. He is the author of a 2005 report entitled L'enseignement des langues étrangères comme politique publique (The teaching of foreign languages as a public policy), best known as the Grin Report. In this document, Grin indicates that the choice of Esperanto
Esperanto
is the most widely spoken constructed international auxiliary language. Its name derives from Doktoro Esperanto , the pseudonym under which L. L. Zamenhof published the first book detailing Esperanto, the Unua Libro, in 1887...
as a bridge language for Europe would lead to an annual saving of 25 billion euros. He also suggested a language tax
Language tax
The language tax is an economic concept proposed by the Belgian economist Philippe Van Parijs. It is intended to compensate countries with a less widespread language for their expenses for teaching and translation....
to compensate for the drawbacks of countries whose language is not widespread.
Grin has also studied the case of Kalmyk
Kalmyk
Kalmyk , "Kalmuck," "Kalmuk," or "Kalmyki"' may refer to:*Kalmyk people or Kalmyks , a group of western Mongolic people*Kalmyk language , the language of the Kalmyk people...
, a minority language in Russia.