Minority Languages in Europe

Minority languages in Europe, as part of a common cultural heritage, need protection. 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. At the heart of the debate are the effectiveness of the existing political and legal frameworks aimed at protecting linguistic and cultural diversity, and prospects for the survival of minority languages in the process of European integration.

'This book provides a highly useful interdisciplinary treatment of the challenges and opportunities confronting minority languages in Europe. Although problem spots change over time, some fundamental questions keep resurfacing, and the legal and institutional approaches in the first chapters of this volume offer a well-balanced introduction to essential aspects of minority language issues. The general papers are complemented by careful case studies, and this book is destined to remain a valuable resource for students and scholars in years to come.' - François Grin, University of Geneva

'Important reading for anyone interested in minority languages, in particular recent developments in Central Europe. The chapters in the book represent a good overview of the current debates on language rights, linguistic diversity and efforts at protection and promotion by international treaties and organizations. It is a rich and fascinating collection which adds a number of in-depth case-studies on German minorities, national minorities in the Baltic states and the Romani language. Those are minorities that have not received much attention in the literature thusfar and these contributions will not get outdated easily. The book sheds real light on issues of minority languages and language policy.' - Dr Durk Gorter, Ikerbasque research professor, University of the Basque Country

'This book is a...must...for those interested in multilingualism, language planning andlanguage policy, whether teachers, students, politicians and scholars in the field. I recommend Minority Languages in Europe not only because of its timeliness and relevance, but also because of its multidisciplinary approach to a better understanding of language conflicts in Europe.' - Professor Dr. Peter H. Nelde, Director of the Research Centre on Multilingualism, University of K.U.Brussels

'This is a timely work which contains a fascinating discussion of key areas in managing Europe's cultural and linguistic diversity. It may contribute in theoretical and empirical terms to a better understanding of the challenges facing the new Europe, and the legal and political imperatives for diversity.' - Dr Fernand De Varennes, Senior Lecturer, Murdoch University School of Law, Western Australia

KARL CORDELL Principal Lecturer in Politics, University of Plymouth, UK DIETER W. HALWACHS Assistant Professor at the Institute for Linguistics, University of Grazm, Austria KRISTIN HENRARD is Associate Professor, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands STEPHEN MAY is Foundation Professor and Chair of Language and Literacy Education in the Arts and Language Department, School of Education, University of Waikato, New Zealand MÁIRÉAD NIC CRAITH is Professor of European Culture and Society at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland CARMEN MILLÁN-VARELA Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, Centre for English Language Studies, University of Birmingham, UK CAMILLE O'REILLY Lecturer in Social Anthropology at Richmond, the American International University in London, UK JOHN PACKER is Professor of Law and Director of the Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex, UK VANESSA PUPAVAC Lecturer in Politics, University of Nottingham, UK GRAHAM H. TURNER is Chair of Interpreting& Translation Studies at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland and Director of the Centre for Translation and Interpreting Studies in Scotland