Official language

An official language is a language that is specifically designated to be so in the constitutions of countries, states, and other territories. (States and areas without a constitution, by this definition, lack official languages.)

Half the countries in the world have official languages. Some have only one official language, such as Albania, France (although there are more native languages in France) or Germany. Some have more than one official language, as Belgium, Finland, Afghanistan, Paraguay, Bolivia, India, Switzerland and South Africa.

In some countries, such as Iraq, Italy and Spain, there is an official language for the country, but other languages are co-official in some important regions. Some countries, such as the United States, have no official languages, but there are official languages in some US states (See Languages in the United States). Finally, some countries have no official languages, such as Australia, Eritrea, Luxembourg, Sweden or Tuvalu.

As a consequence of colonialism and/or neocolonialism, in some countries in Africa and in the Philippines the official and learning languages (French or English) are not the national languages or the most widely spoken. In contrast, as a consequence of nationalism, in the Republic of Ireland what is the state's official national language (Irish) is actually spoken by only a small proportion of people, while the language given secondary inferior legal status (English), is actually the spoken language of the majority. A similar situation occurs in New Zealand, where English is the day-to-day language of the vast majority of the population, but its only official language is Maori.

In some countries, the issue of which language is to be used in what contexts is a major political issue. There is a list of such countries.

Victory in Europe Day
This site provides information about the activities on May 8, 1945, known as "Victory in Europe"(VE) Day, which marked the formal end of World War II in Europe. It "examines how the defeat of Hitler's Germany was greeted in Britain and around the world."Topics include Germany's unconditional surrender and the continuing war in Asia. Also includes a short bibliography. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Loss of sea ice stirs up Arctic waters
The Arctic Ocean is generally considered a remarkably quiet ocean, with very little mixing, because a cover of sea ice prevents wind from driving the formation of internal waves. To study this effect and investigate how melting sea ice might affect ocean mixing in the Arctic, researchers analyzed data from moorings in the northern Chukchi Sea.

New Class Of Pulsars Solve Mystery Of Previously Unidentified Gamma-ra
A new class of pulsars detected by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is solving the mystery of previously unidentified gamma-ray sources and helping scientists understand the mechanisms behind pulsar emissions.

Global Warming Is Destroying Coral Reefs, Major Study Warns
Major new research indicates that coral reefs won't survive the rapid increases in global temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide forecast by the IPCC. The livelihoods of 100 million people living along the coasts of tropical developing countries will be among the first casualties. Marine scientists argue for drastic action by world leaders on carbon dioxide emissions. Immediate use of proven policy and management tools to address over-fishing, pollution and unsustainable coastal development is critical to saving coral reefs.

Gene Fusions Trigger Cancer Growth
Researchers have discovered how genes turn on the switch that leads to prostate cancer. The team discovered that pieces of two chromosomes can trade places with each other and cause two genes to fuse together. The fused genes then override the "off"switch that keeps cells from growing uncontrollably, causing prostate cancer to develop.

'Chuck' Actors Game On Screen and Off
Zach Levi and Josh Gomez take their fragging seriously, and the "gamer speak" and gameplay is leaking onto the TV screen like never before.

Reduce Fish Catch Now For Bigger Net Profits Later, Urge Economists
Economists have demonstrated in four diverse fisheries that highest profits are made when fish stocks are allowed to rise beyond levels traditionally considered optimal. The reason is 'the stock effect': when fish are more plentiful and easier to catch, fishers spend less on fuel and other costs to fill their nets -- profits are higher. The findings could help upend conventional fisheries management thinking.

Special Exhibits: From the Roof: Christo and Jeanne-Claude's "The Gate
"'The Gates' is presented in Central Park [in New York] for 16 days, through February 27 [2005]. ... The monumental project ... consists of 7,500 saffron-colored vinyl gates (each 16 feet in height and hung with saffron fabric panels) placed at 12-foot intervals over 23 miles of pedestrian walkways that lace the park."The site features images "documenting the evolution of the project"and images of the installation. From the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Warning Over Codeine Use After Tonsillectomy
A report warns the use of codeine to treat pain following a tonsillectomy could prove fatal for some children. A Canadian doctor zeroed in on the danger after investigating the death of a two-year-old boy following a relatively easy operation to remove his tonsils.

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