How important are languages for diplomacy and national security? – Live chat

Is Britain’s language expertise gap threatening international influence and diplomacy? Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/EPA

Is Britain’s language talent deficit threatening diplomacy and protection? A report from the British Academy, published this week found that the government’s language capacity is in want of immediate attention. The Lost for Words report urged government to build a technique to recognise the value of languages within its very own departments, warning that Britain’s diplomatic influence is at chance if more is not completed to tackle the language skills deficit.

The foreign secretary, William Hague, has taken a private curiosity in addressing the languages difficulty inside of the government. Hague has previously warned that Britain’s global company standing, and its place in the diplomatic planet, is at grave danger owing to a lack of language skills.

At the reopening of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s language centre in September, Hague said: “The capability to talk, read, listen and create in a foreign language is one of the fundamental abilities of our diplomats. With no it they cannot get below the skin of a country and genuinely realize its individuals.”

To mark the launch of the British Academy’s Lost for Words report, and to round off November’s languages festival, we’re holding a dwell chat about the importance of languages for diplomacy and nationwide protection on Thursday 28 November between 10AM-12PM.

You can take portion in the conversation by posting any queries you have in the feedback under. You can also stick to the debate live on Twitter using the hashtag #languagesdebate.

• Panel to be announced

How important are languages for diplomacy and national security? – Live chat