---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I took part in European leaders…"
description: "\"When I took part in European leaders summits, it was sometimes unpleasant for me to hear Romanian, Polish, Portuguese, and Italian friends speak Englis..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7f/francois-hollande-2367_admit_when-i-took-part-in-european-leaders-sum_1601064.jpg"
---

#  When I took part in European leaders summits, it was…

![“When I took part in European leaders summits, it was sometimes unpleasant for me to hear Romanian, Polish, Portuguese, and Italian friends speak English, although I admit that on an informal basis, first contacts can be made in this language. Nevertheless, I will defend everywhere the use of the…” quote by Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7f/francois-hollande-2367_admit_when-i-took-part-in-european-leaders-sum_1601064.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7f/francois-hollande-2367_admit_when-i-took-part-in-european-leaders-sum_1601064.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7f/francois-hollande-2367_admit_when-i-took-part-in-european-leaders-sum_1601064.jpg)

> “When I took part in European leaders summits, it was sometimes unpleasant for me to hear Romanian, Polish, Portuguese, and Italian friends speak English, although I admit that on an informal basis, first contacts can be made in this language. Nevertheless, I will defend everywhere the use of the French language.”

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He advocates for French as a unifying language despite multilingual realities, emphasizing cultural heritage.

**In simple terms:** Support French language.

Key Takeaway

Promote French usage.

Themes

language culture politics

Mood

defensive pragmatic

Type

political cultural

When to use this quote

- EU meetings
- diplomatic talks
- academic conferences
- media broadcasts
- tourism

Key Concepts

multilingualism national identity

Questions to Reflect On

- Should language policy prioritize practicality?
- How does language shape identity?

A Different Perspective

French may not be practical for all participants.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[English](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/english/) [European](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/european/) [French language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/french-language/) [Friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friends/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Informal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/informal/) [Italian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/italian/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaders/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Portuguese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/portuguese/) [Romanian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romanian/)

## Related quotes

> [I am attached to the French language. I will defend the ubiquitous use of French.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/i-am-attached-to-the-french-language-i-will-defend-the-ubiquitous-use/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [As my editor had no desire to frighten readers with the Romanian pages, he had them translated and published the whole thing in French…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dumitru-tepeneag/as-my-editor-had-no-desire-to-frighten-readers-with-the-romanian/)

[Dumitru Tepeneag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dumitru-tepeneag/)

> [“Cand te vorbesc altii de rau, traieste frumos, ca nimeni sa nu-i creada!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/necunoscut/cand-te-vorbesc-altii-de-rau-traieste-frumos-ca-nimeni-sa-nu-i-creada/)

[Necunoscut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/necunoscut/)

> [“Or, cine isi cunoaste clipa de fata, pana nu devine trecut? Sensul ei total ne apare mai tarziu, asa cum mergand pe un drum…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marin-preda/or-cine-isi-cunoaste-clipa-de-fata-pana-nu-devine-trecut-sensul-ei/)

[Marin Preda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marin-preda/)

> [“Asadar, in momentul in care un om face primul pas dilatand acea unitate imaginara a eului sau pana la o dualitate, omul acesta devine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/asadar-in-momentul-in-care-un-om-face-primul-pas-dilatand-acea/)

[Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/)

> [Romanian? That's impressive," said Jace. "Not many people speak it." "Do you?" Sebastian asked with interest. "Not really," Jace said with a smile so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/romanian-that-s-impressive-said-jace-not-many-people-speak-it-do-you/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“Pentru mine, tu ești cea mai bună terapie.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jurnalul-unui-tip/pentru-mine-tu-e-ti-cea-mai-bun-terapie/)

Jurnalul unui tip

> [You should see all the negative things that the Romanian press writes about me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-ponta/you-should-see-all-the-negative-things-that-the-romanian-press-writes/)

[Victor Ponta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-ponta/)

> [The music we're playing now is based on my heritage, which is Russian, Romanian and Hungarian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-mann/the-music-we-re-playing-now-is-based-on-my-heritage-which-is-russian/)

[Herbie Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-mann/)

> [“Why do I need TV when I have forty-eight apartment windows to watch across the vacant lot, and a sliver of Lake Erie? I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-fleischman/why-do-i-need-tv-when-i-have-forty-eight-apartment-windows-to-watch/)

[Paul Fleischman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-fleischman/)

> [Romanian movies are not made the same as American movies are, only because it's newer there. For instance, cigarettes, over there, are much more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-bell/romanian-movies-are-not-made-the-same-as-american-movies-are-only/)

[Kristen Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-bell/)

> [It's true that in Romanian I feel more relaxed, as if I'm wearing slippers...but I came to this decision primarily for other reasons: I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dumitru-tepeneag/it-s-true-that-in-romanian-i-feel-more-relaxed-as-if-i-m-wearing/)

[Dumitru Tepeneag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dumitru-tepeneag/)

> [“A crea inseamna a trai atat visul cat si viata.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/necunoscut/a-crea-inseamna-a-trai-atat-visul-cat-si-viata/)

[Necunoscut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/necunoscut/)

> [“Femeia frumoasa place ochiului, femeia blanda place inimii. Prima este o adevarata bijuterie, dar a doua este o comoara.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/necunoscut/femeia-frumoasa-place-ochiului-femeia-blanda-place-inimii-prima-este/)

[Necunoscut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/necunoscut/)

> [“- Mom, can I tell them there that I'm Romanian? - Sure, why not tell them? - I was thinking that they wouldn't think...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-enescu/mom-can-i-tell-them-there-that-i-m-romanian-sure-why-not-tell-them-i/)

George Enescu

## More by Francois Hollande

> [I ask to be judged on the issue of unemployment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/i-ask-to-be-judged-on-the-issue-of-unemployment/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [Everyone must be in the same competitive situation, including on the fiscal level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/everyone-must-be-in-the-same-competitive-situation-including-on-the/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [Our biggest threat is not too much Europe, but too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/our-biggest-threat-is-not-too-much-europe-but-too-little/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [When I travel officially... and when I travel on a private basis, I have protection that is less suffocating. But I am protected everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/when-i-travel-officially-and-when-i-travel-on-a-private-basis-i-have/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [Mandela's message will never die. It will continue to inspire freedom fighters and give confidence to people who defend just causes and universal rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/mandela-s-message-will-never-die-it-will-continue-to-inspire-freedom/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [No one imposes things on anyone in Europe. That's not my notion, nor is it my temperament. The EU has always functioned under the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/no-one-imposes-things-on-anyone-in-europe-that-s-not-my-notion-nor-is/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [As a president I will be like the candidate that I am, a respectful candidate, a rallying candidate, a normal candidate for a normal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/as-a-president-i-will-be-like-the-candidate-that-i-am-a-respectful/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [My adversary is the world of finance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/my-adversary-is-the-world-of-finance/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [China... has the capacity to ensure its stability and growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/china-has-the-capacity-to-ensure-its-stability-and-growth/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [France needs to improve training and education and the level of skills of its workforce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/france-needs-to-improve-training-and-education-and-the-level-of/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [Our only goal is to strengthen the opposition and to avoid the dilemma whereby we only have the choice between Bashar Assad and al-Qaeda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/our-only-goal-is-to-strengthen-the-opposition-and-to-avoid-the/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [The United Nations will be at the heart of our international activities. France will assume its full responsibilities at the Security Council by putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/the-united-nations-will-be-at-the-heart-of-our-international/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [Very strong declarations were made by those countries who are most responsible for global warming... the United States and China, which undertook commitments towards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/very-strong-declarations-were-made-by-those-countries-who-are-most/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [Private life is always, at certain times, a challenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/private-life-is-always-at-certain-times-a-challenge/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [I could have made a fortune in cheeseburgers, but I finally chose politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/i-could-have-made-a-fortune-in-cheeseburgers-but-i-finally-chose/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

[Explore all 170 Francois Hollande quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

## More Admit quotes

> [It is hard to admit to someone that you love him..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misherie/it-is-hard-to-admit-to-someone-that-you-love-him/)

[Misherie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misherie/)

> [I am not perfect by any means and ill be the first to admit I make plenty of mistakes but I wont make them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-not-perfect-by-any-means-and-ill-be-the-first-to-admit-i-make/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I think it takes a lot for you to admit you made a mistake and correct it right away, especially on live television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pia-wurtzbach/i-think-it-takes-a-lot-for-you-to-admit-you-made-a-mistake-and/)

[Pia Wurtzbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pia-wurtzbach/)

> [I'll admit a little something: If I go to one of those hotels where there's, like, a $50 omelet, I'm taking the silverware home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-olyphant/i-ll-admit-a-little-something-if-i-go-to-one-of-those-hotels-where/)

[Timothy Olyphant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-olyphant/)

> [Most celebrities are not going to admit they had work done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-nassif/most-celebrities-are-not-going-to-admit-they-had-work-done/)

[Paul Nassif](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-nassif/)

> [If you're in rock 'n' roll, you're not supposed to admit to liking theatre stuff, but I'm a big theatregoer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-deyoung/if-you-re-in-rock-n-roll-you-re-not-supposed-to-admit-to-liking/)

[Dennis DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-deyoung/)

> [No one likes to admit they are racist or bear prejudices. Nor do they even like to be open and honest when they witness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-jacques/no-one-likes-to-admit-they-are-racist-or-bear-prejudices-nor-do-they/)

[Martin Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-jacques/)

> [I love you. But I have no right to admit it to myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittany-snyder/i-love-you-but-i-have-no-right-to-admit-it-to-myself/)

Brittany\_Snyder

> [There is something in me-I just can't stand to admit defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-sills/there-is-something-in-me-i-just-can-t-stand-to-admit-defeat/)

[Beverly Sills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-sills/)

> [As far as I can tell, the only unambiguous consequence of the claimed invasion of Earth by beings from another star system has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/as-far-as-i-can-tell-the-only-unambiguous-consequence-of-the-claimed/)

[Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/)

> [My first exposure to sanitation issues occurred when I got admission into an engineering college. They probably didn't want to admit me and informed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sudha-murty/my-first-exposure-to-sanitation-issues-occurred-when-i-got-admission/)

[Sudha Murty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sudha-murty/)

> [I have to admit that I get quite emotional listening to the amazing talent that exists in the New York subways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-o-hare/i-have-to-admit-that-i-get-quite-emotional-listening-to-the-amazing/)

[Lisa O'Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-o-hare/)

> [I was ashamed to admit I was hipped to the idea of acting. That's why I started in with the props.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wayne/i-was-ashamed-to-admit-i-was-hipped-to-the-idea-of-acting-that-s-why/)

[John Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wayne/)

> [I admit that I am very possessive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/i-admit-that-i-am-very-possessive/)

[Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/)

> [Some people need to grow up and learn how to admit when they're wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-people-need-to-grow-up-and-learn-how-to-admit-when-they-re-wrong/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

Browse all 816 Admit quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When I took part in European leaders summits, it was sometimes unpleasant for me to hear Romanian, Polish, Portuguese, and Italian friends speak English, although I admit that on an informal basis, first contacts can be made in this language. Nevertheless, I will defend everywhere the use of the French language.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Francois Hollande"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/when-i-took-part-in-european-leaders-summits-it-was-sometimes/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Admit"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/when-i-took-part-in-european-leaders-summits-it-was-sometimes/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7f/francois-hollande-2367_admit_when-i-took-part-in-european-leaders-sum_1601064.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7f/francois-hollande-2367_admit_when-i-took-part-in-european-leaders-sum_1601064.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7f/francois-hollande-2367_admit_when-i-took-part-in-european-leaders-sum_1601064.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When I took part in European leaders summits, it was sometimes unpleasant for me to hear Romanian, Polish…” — Francois Hollande",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Francois Hollande",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When I took part in European...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/when-i-took-part-in-european-leaders-summits-it-was-sometimes/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/when-i-took-part-in-european-leaders-summits-it-was-sometimes/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
