Contributions in this volume debate 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.

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.Millan-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