ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the present situation of English as a lingua franca (ELF) in the EU and the expanding European context. It views ELF as one of many strategies for solving communicative and sociocultural problems, both on the macro and micro level. This strategy is realized in: 1) situations in which ELF is an alternative to the use of other regionally and/or internationally important languages (French, German, Russian); 2) situations in which ELF is an alternative to receptive multilingualism between closely related languages; and 3) situations in which ELF is an alternative to translation/interpretation. It also emphasizes differences between regions and individual national contexts in Europe, particularly in regard to local language constellations and ideologies, as well as the positions of languages/varieties on the labor market. I place particular focus upon Central and Eastern Europe (former Soviet Bloc countries) where English has replaced German and Russian as lingua francas in recent decades. The chapter will conclude with a brief consideration of the position and management of ELF in light of the increasing Asian presence throughout Europe in the business sphere, higher education and tourism.
