Linguistic nationalism and minority language groups in the ‘New’ Europe

Abstract

Abstract In the discussions about language policies for a more integrated European Community, the issue of linguistic nationalism is at the centre. The notion of ‘national’ languages tied to the nation‐state has never been accepted by Europe's linguistic minorities, but it now comes into potential conflict with any idea of a supranational European identity. The relationship between language and territory in defining EC language policies is crucial. Old and recent language legislation has tended to evoke the principle of territoriality in outlining linguistic rights. Taking Spain as an example, it will be argued that this is only partially appropriate for the language situations of the ‘new’ Europe. It will be suggested that the emergence of a Europe of the Regions offers an opportunity to question and reject the traditional models of the language‐nation relationship.