A CHANGE to Bulgarian law that will require applicants for permanent residence to produce certificates of proficiency in Bulgarian has had a mixed reception among expatriates.

Some say that the change to the law will discourage foreign investment. Others have described the move as xenophobic. And others say that while learning Bulgarian is a necessity for a long-term stay in the country, legislative intervention is not justified.

According to changes to the Foreigners Act currently in the process of approval by Parliament, in addition to other documents, aliens applying for permanent residence permits will have to present a document certifying a completed Bulgarian language course or knowledge of Bulgarian issued by authorised educational institutions.

UK citizen Tim Buisseret, general manager of Mobikom and a long-term resident in Bulgaria, said, "at the end of the day, most foreigners have important personal or professional motives to live in Bulgaria, and have an incentive to learn the language". Slovenian Maria Novak said that in her country, proficiency in the language was required only for applications for citizenship, not for permanent residence.

She said that if you live in a country you should know its language, especially if you are or want to be a citizen of it.

There is also concern that the new requirement will open the way for corruption and a trade in fake certificates.

UK citizen Matt Willis said: "I would predict that the outrageous amendment will simply open up a new black market opportunity for false language course certificates".

The United States receives many immigrants, some of whom speak English and others who do not. According to Carl Hammerdorfer, Peace Corps country director, the country has been able to absorb both, but then they have many years experience as a melting pot, "and we're big enough that immigrants from almost anywhere can find a support community which speaks their native language," he said. In the US, there are a fair number of people who strongly support an English-only approach for schools and other public institutions.

On the other hand, "many folks in the US see the evolution of a multi-lingual society as something that will enrich our culture," he said. Miami, LA and other town have many neighborhoods where Spanish is the predominant language. "Some love that and others hate it. This kind of diversity of opinion (our national schizophrenia?) is typical of the US.

"My personal opinion is that I'd hate to see Bulgaria turn away a refugee, artist, family member or a businessperson who might contribute to society, simply because they haven't passed a language test," Hammerdorfer said.

UK citizen Sebastian Kinsman, who is involved in the real estate market in Bulgaria, thinks that a requirement for a language certificate and knowledge of Bulgarian will mean losses for Bulgaria.

"Bulgarians will suffer economically for this kind of legislation that places barriers between Bulgaria and foreign investment."

Kinsman said Bulgaria is a poor country with a declining population. It is losing out to neighbours such as Romania and Turkey who have a far more enlightened view of foreigners and of foreign investment.

"Or perhaps Bulgarians will be happy to continue as one of the poorest countries in Europe but without the blight of foreigners living in, buying goods and services, and paying taxes in their country," Kinsman told The Echo.

James Highes, who runs a hotel in Bansko, said: "Maybe there are more important things for the Great leaders of this Great country to worry about than whether or not an investor can speak their language".

Gail Sprinkle, a US Peace Corps volunteer based in Pleven, said the amendment to the Foreigners Act might be counter-productive because it might keep highly qualified people out of Bulgaria who could contribute to its economic growth.

* More opinions, see page 13.