With 24 official EU languages and an even greater number spoken daily, Brussels is a linguistic jungle, and for many of us, navigating it is both an art and an adventure.
After attending a few public speaking workshops, over the past weeks, I couldn’t help but notice that I always had the same question at the end: what do you do when you’re presenting in one language, but a word or concept comes to you only in another?
If you live in Brussels, you probably know this feeling all too well. Our brains are constantly juggling languages, and sometimes, in the heat of the moment, the ‘right’ word just refuses to come in the ‘right’ language.
One of the best answers I received? Embrace it.
And this suggestion really struck me, because language in Brussels is more than a tool – it’s an identity, a political statement, a survival skill. Most people here juggle at least three languages daily, often mixing them within a single conversation. But amid this ‘cacophony’ of accents, how do you make yourself heard professionally without feeling like you have to become someone else?
The working language of the infamous ‘EU Bubble‘ is English, but let’s be honest – it’s not the ‘Queen’s (or King’s) English’. It’s a delightful, practical, and at times wildly unpredictable Euro-English, peppered with French politeness, German efficiency, and the occasional ‘I propose you to do this’ – which no native speaker would ever actually say.
And yet, it works. Because what matters isn’t speaking perfectly but speaking clearly.
The key to standing out? Own your voice. Your accent, your choice of words, the occasional grammatical hiccup – they are proof of the linguistic marathon your brain runs every day. Instead of worrying about fitting into a specific mold, focus on making your message resonate. Speak with confidence. Enunciate when necessary, slow down if needed (this is rather a reminder to myself), and never underestimate the power of well-placed pauses.
Let’s also acknowledge that being surrounded by so many languages messes with your head. What language do you think in? Plan in? Dream in? And (let’s be real) swear in when your train is delayed again? For many in Brussels, the answer is: ‘It depends.’ This fluidity is a gift, but it can also make you feel like you don’t fully belong to any linguistic tribe. And that’s okay.
Brussels itself doesn’t belong to just one culture, so why should you?
Instead of chasing a mythical ‘perfect’ way of speaking, embrace the beautiful mess that is multilingual communication. Listen actively. Adapt when necessary. If you don’t understand something, ask. If someone doesn’t understand you, rephrase. Language here isn’t about rigid correctness – it’s about connection.
So, on this International Mother Language Day, celebrate the linguistic chaos of Brussels. Take pride in your accent, in the mix of words that tumble out when you’re tired, in the way your brain constantly switches gears between languages.
Your voice matters – not despite its uniqueness, but because of it.
And in a city of accents, that’s what truly makes you stand out.
This article was written on the occasion of International Mother Language Day by Martina Cilia, communications manager at CropLife International and co-chair at Brussels New Generation. Original article published at LinkedIn.
