This book investigates the maintenance of multilingualism and minority languages in 12 different minority communities across Europe, all of which are underrepresented in international minority language studies. The book presents a number of case studies covering a broad range of highly diverse minorities and languages with different historical and socio-political backgrounds. Despite current legislation and institutional and educational support, the authors surmise there is no guarantee for the maintenance of minority languages, suggesting changes in attitudes and language ideologies are the key to promoting true multilingualism. The book also introduces a new tool, the European Language Vitality Barometer, for assessing the maintenance of minority languages on the basis of survey data. The book is based on the European Language Diversity for All (ELDIA) research project which was funded by the European Commission (7th framework programme, 2010–2013).
Table of Content
Tables and Figures
To the Reader
1. Introduction
2. European Language Vitality Barometer – A Novel Tool for Measuring the Degree of Language Maintenance at Group Level
3. Apples, Oranges, and Cranberries: Finno-Ugric Minorities in Europe and the Diversity of Diversities
4. Analysis
5. Implications and Recommendations: What Should We Do to Maintain Language Diversity in Europe?
Afterword
About the authors
References
About the author
Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark is Associate Professor of International Law, Director and Head of Research at the The Åland Islands Peace Institute, Finland. Her research interests include international law, diversity, law and politics, and peace and conflict resolution.