Minority Languages in Europe: Frameworks, Status, Prospects [Hardcover]

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.Notes on Contributors Acknowledgements Preface List of Tables PART 1: INTRODUCTION Introduction: Minority Languages in Europe: An Introduction to the Current Debate; G.Hogan-Brun & S.Wolff When Language is 'Just Symbolic': Reconsidering the Significance of Language to the Politics of Identity; C.O'Reilly PART 2: LEGAL FRAMEWORKS Devising an Adequate System of Minority Protection in the Area of Language Rights; K.Henrard Facilitating or Generating Linguistic Diversity: Ulster-Scots and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages; M.N.Craith The Practitioner's Perspective: Minority Languages and Linguistic Minorities in the Work of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities; J.Packer PART 3: CASE STUDIES German-speaking Minorities in Central and Eastern Europe: An Assessment of the Legislative and Policy Framework in Poland, Hungary and Romania; K.Cordell & S.Wolff Baltic National Minorities in a Transitional Setting; G.Hogan-Brun Politics and Language Rights: A Case Study of Language Politics in Croatia; V.Pupavac Minority Needs, or the Ambiguous Power of Translation; C.Mill?n-Varela On Policies and Prospects for British Sign Language; G.H. Turner The Changing Status of Romani in Europe; D.W.Halwachs PART 4: CONCLUSION Conclusion: Contesting Linguistic Homogeneity: Minority Policies and the Nation-State; S.May Index

'This book provides a highly useful interdisciplinary treatment of the challengesl³@