1 RELIGION Language, Law, and Legacies

In August, a new language law in Ukraine allowed cities and regions to elevate the status of any minority language spoken by at least 10% of their population to “official” alongside Ukrainian. I argue that the law fails to protect genuine linguistic minorities and is likely to further undermine linguistic diversity in certain Ukrainian regions. More important, the law prolongs the vicious circle between Ukraine's lack of democracy and its politicians’ reliance on identity cleavages to gather votes. I argue that the continuing exploitation of identity divides is increasing the popularity of extreme right parties and widening the gap in policy preferences between Ukrainian and Russian speakers. However, the current ethno-regional cleavages do not stand for irreconcilable identity attachments and their impact can be mitigated. The EU could contribute to this outcome by providing expert opinions on minority and language rights; demonstrating a commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity and independence to de-securitize the minority rights discourse; and increasing individual-level contacts between the EU and Ukraine to promote a broader European identity.

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North Macedonia’s Language Law of 2018

European Yearbook of Minority Issues Online ◽

10.1163/22116117_01801009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 184-202

Author(s):

Emma Lantschner

Keyword(s):

Human Rights ◽

Present Article ◽

Rule Of Law ◽

Political Background ◽

The Law ◽

Language Law ◽

Language Issues

In 2019, a new law regulating the use of languages other than Macedonian entered into force in North Macedonia. Language issues have always been a hot topic in North Macedonia and one capable of stirring controversial debate, especially between the Albanian- and the Macedonian- speaking population. This is also the case for this most recent piece of legislation. The present article discusses initially the constitutional and political background to the adoption of the law. It then analyses some of the most disputed aspects of the law. Most of them relate to the broader issues of democracy and rule of law as well as the balance with other human rights.

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The Vth International Conference “Language. Law. Society” (Penza, May 22-25, 2018): Results and Prospects

Политическая лингвистика ◽

10.26170/pl18-06-22 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 150-159

Author(s):

Olga Vladimirovna Barabash ◽

Maria Borisovna Voroshilova

Keyword(s):

International Conference ◽

Language Law

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Language, Law and Hegemonic Closure

10.5840/cpsem198334 ◽

1983 ◽

pp. 527-543

Author(s):

Paul Robertshaw

Keyword(s):

Language Law

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Restoring Official Bilingualism

The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico ◽

10.5744/florida/9781683401131.003.0010 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 123-136

Author(s):

Amílcar Antonio Barreto

Keyword(s):

Puerto Rican ◽

English Language ◽

Language Fluency ◽

English Only ◽

Clear Sign ◽

The Us ◽

The Status ◽

Pros And Cons ◽

Language Law ◽

English Language Fluency

While the PPD methodically debated the pros and cons of official unilingualism their PNP rivals, who won the 1992 elections, restored bilingualism within weeks of taking office. The PNP’s rush became apparent when Gov. Pedro Rosselló announced the promotion of a new status plebiscite. As Congress took up the status question in 1993, PNP delegates flashed the new language law as a clear sign of loyalty to the US. That move failed to sway many federal lawmakers who repeatedly brought up the connection between the Spanish language and Puerto Rican identity, along with the low rates of English-language fluency on the island. At this juncture English-language activists from the US mainland began interjecting themselves in the island’s status debates during the English-only movement, reiterating the tight bonds between American-ness and the de facto US vernacular. Although out of office, Commonwealth supporters won the 1993 status plebiscite.

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Spanish and Puertorriqueñidad

The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico ◽

10.5744/florida/9781683401131.003.0002 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 7-20

Author(s):

Amílcar Antonio Barreto

Keyword(s):

Public Schools ◽

Puerto Rican ◽

Puerto Ricans ◽

Spanish American ◽

Language Of Instruction ◽

Holy Grail ◽

Spanish American War ◽

Official Languages ◽

Puerto Rican Nationalism ◽

Language Law

In the aftermath of the 1898 Spanish-American War, federal policymakers sought to transform Puerto Ricans from loyal Spaniards to trustworthy Americans. Public schools employing English as the language of instruction were the primary vehicles implementing this change. Behind this policy were deeply ingrained attitudes that took for granted the superiority of Anglo Saxons and, by extension, their English vernacular. Contrary to expectations, the Americanization effort backfired and even fueled Puerto Rican nationalism. The island’s intelligentsia took up the banner of preserving Puerto Rican identity (Puerto Ricanness) and canonized the Spanish language as a core feature of puertorriqueñidad. In tandem with a change in education policy was the adoption of a new language law—one that declared Spanish and English co-official languages of the Puerto Rican government. Repealing that law became a holy grail for the island’s nationalists.

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