Language minorities & minority languages, I. Ethnic & National minorities

Question 1

three types of instrument

Answer 1

Conventions = legally binding agreements once a state has entered into them. Signed and ratified

Declarations = NOT legally binding. Bring together and emphasis existing rights

Recommendations = e.g. the Hague Recommendations.

Question 2

Define minority

Answer 2

group of persons of different race, religion or the language than the majority living within the state

Question 3

Define the 2 types of minority

Answer 3

1. those who are the citizens of a foreign state

2. those who are the citizens living within the state

Question 4

Language minorities

Answer 4

A group numerically inferior to the rest of the population of a state, in a non-dominant position – possess ethnic, religious or linguistic characteristics differing from those of the rest of the population and show… a sense of solidarity, directed towards preserving their culture, traditions, religion or language (Capotori)

Question 5

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)

Answer 5

Article 27: important – deliberately vague on what a linguistic minority is and what rights they have to use their language

Question 6

Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (1992, UN)

Answer 6

The group must be allowed to encourage and promote their identity

Question 7

United Nations Sub-Committee for Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of National Minorities (1950)

Answer 7

The term minority includes only those non-dominant groups in a population which possess and wish to preserve stable ethnic, religious or linguistic traditions or characteristics markedly different from those of the rest of the population

Question 8

Arabic example

Answer 8

• 60% of Jewish Israelis speak Hebrew and not Russian (20%)

Dilemma: do speakers of hebrew and russians have equal domain?