July: Recognition for regional languages in France
The Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity would like to welcome the announcement last week that the clause “regional languages are part of France’s heritage” is now to be included as part of Article 75 of the French Constitution. The decision was taken following a second vote by the Congrès ( i.e., le Senat et l’Assemblée Nationale) on the clause and passed on the 21st July.
In June the inclusion of the clause was put to vote at the Assemblée Nationale who approve it and at the Senate. who reject it due to the declaration published by the Academie Francaise on the 12 July which claimed that adding the clause on regional languages was a “simple defiance of logic”.
Meirion Prys Jones, Chair of the NPLD said:
“This is a very positive step in the right direction for the recognition of the regional languages spoken in France. It is however vital to stress that this is only the first step towards ensuring the longevity and survival of these languages”
The NPLD hopes that concrete measures will now be put in place to encourage the learning, teaching and use of these languages, to correspond with the legal grounding which this clause will give France’s regional languages. The NPLD would also like to see France go further in its support for its regional languages by ratifying the Charter for Regional and Minority Languages.