Minority Languages in Europe : Frameworks, Status, Prospects

The contributions to this book reflect urgent, stimulating and productive debates among researchers in sociolinguistics, linguistic anthropology, politics and sociology, and among language activists and policy makers.

Minority languages are part of Europe''s shared cultural heritage and there is a broad consensus that it is important to protect and encourage linguistic and cultural diversity during the process of continuing European integration. But what legislative and policy instruments can be effective? Are there conflicts between language rights and the social policy demands of nation building? How are general European concerns reflected or challenged within individual countries? This volume illustrates the intellectually productive debate among sociolinguists, linguistic anthropologists, political scientists, lawyers, language activists and policy makers. The contributions focus on the current status of minority languages within a ''Europe of the regions'', the future prospects for minority languages in the continuing process of European integration, and the effectiveness or otherwise of current national and European frameworks in ensuring future linguistic and cultural diversity.