1 October 2008

Language Policy & Language Planning

Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning

Fryske Akademy

dr. Alex Riemersma

1 October 2008

Overview

• General framework of European Language Policy & Language Planning

• Situation for Friesland

• Frisian infrastructure

1 October 2008

General FrameworkGeneral Framework

• Council of Europe– Framework Convention– Charter RMLs

• OSCE – Oslo & The Hague

Recommendations• European Union

Multilingualism / M + 2

1 October 2008

Charter RMLS

• European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages

• 1998

• 23 ratifications

• Part III: minimum 35 undertakings

• Committee of experts: each treaty partner

• On the-spot-visits

1 October 2008

Diversity of situationsDiversity of situations

• Demography• Status • Goverment• Historical• Geography• Level of organisation

1 October 2008

Minimum Standards

• Report Minimum Standards in Education of / in RMLs

• Analysis & Recommendations:- Educational goals- Time spent- Teaching materials- Teacher training- Inspectorate

1 October 2008

European Union

• Multilingualism as core value: “The Union shall respect the religious, cultural and linguistic diversity”

• EU-communication: (2) M + 2

• Integrated Lifelong Learning Program

• Culture Programme

1 October 2008

Situation for Friesland

• European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages (ratified 1998)Frisian in part III: 48 undertakings

• Framework Convention for National Minorities (ratified 2005)Frisians = ethnic minority

1 October 2008

Legal position Frisian

• No mention in Netherlands’ constitution

• Patchwork of legal provisions:- education- judiciary- public authorities & services- media- cultural affairs- social life

1 October 2008

Covenant Frisian language and culture

Province State

Common Responsibility

1 October 2008

Educational infrastructure

• Teacher training

• School inspectorate: framework for the evaluation

• School guidance:teaching materials – development and implementation

• School radio & television

1 October 2008

Trilingual schooling - 1

• Grades 1-6: 50% Dutch; 50%Frisian

• Grades 7-8:40% Dutch; 40% Frisian; 20% English

• Reslults: - Command of Dutch on equal level- Results Frisian much better- English fairly good

1 October 2008

Trilingual Schooling - 2

• 2008: 20 primary schools

• 2012: 50 primary schools (= 10%)

• 2030: 250 primary schools (= 50%)

• Bridge to secondary education

• Consequences for teacher training

1 October 2008

• Eskerrik asko

• Mange Takk

• Diolch

Tankewol

• Trugarez

• Grazia

• Graciis

• Dankscheen • Mercé plan

• Kiitos

• Dz'akuju so

Köszönöm

• Hvala

• Multumesc

• Thank you