1. Language Policy & Language Planning Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning Fryske Akademy dr. Alex Riemersma 3 September 2009

2. Overview Principles of language planning Framework of European Language Policy & Planning Legal Position of Frisian Frisian language infrastructure

3. Language Planning – Key Words What: conscious activities towards protection and promotion of languages Why: Various language groups living together How: Create infrastucture based on safety feeling and mutual respect Who: Both authorities, NGOs and civil society Results: Mutual understanding and reconciliation Balanced position of family language in society

4. Language Planning - Key Words Capacity- command / skills Opportunities- language use Desire- language will Corpus planning- orthography, dictionary Status planning- infrastructure Acquisition- Education

5. General Framework Council of Europe –Framework Convention –Charter Regional or Minority Languages OSCE –Oslo & The Hague Recommendations European Union Multilingualism / M + 2

6. Framework Convention Framework Convention on National Minorities 1998 39 Ratifications - CoE members General Ethnic Rights Advisory Committee: 18 members

7. Charter RMLS European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages (1998) 23 ratifications Protect & promote Committee of experts: each treaty partner Periodical reports (every On the-spot-visits

8. Charter – Outline Part II: –General objectives –Non-discrimination Part III: –Menu system Part IV: –Implementation & monitoring

9. Charter – Part III Menu-system: 35 undertakings from: Education Judiciary Authorities & public services Media Culture Economic & Social life Cross border exchanges

10. Diversity of situations Demography Status Goverment Historical Geography Level of organisation

11. Minimum Standards Report Minimum Standards in Education of / in RMLs Analysis & Recommendations: - Educational goals - Time spent - Teaching materials - Teacher training - Inspectorate

12. School Inspection Not present National level Regional level Mixed

13. Teacher Training Diversity in quality Shortage of teachers Shortage of students

14. European Union “The Union shall respect the religious, cultural and linguistic diversity” EU-policy: (2) Mother-tongue + 2 EU-Commissioner for Multilingualism: “All languages are equal” Integrated Lifelong Learning Program Culture Programme

15. Legal position of Frisian European perspective 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

16. Legal position of Frisian National perspective No mention in Netherlands’ constitution Patchwork of legal provisions: - education - judiciary - public authorities & services - media - cultural affairs - social life

17. Covenant Frisian language and culture Province State Common Responsibility

18. Infrastructure of language planning agreements on responsibility between national and provincial government annual financing: provincial structural contribution: 6.5 million euros national structural contribution: 1.6 million euros Province of Fryslân sets up policy and makes product agreements with institutions. several provincial fundings for initiatives

19. Judicial authorities In Fryslân everyone is allowed to speak Frisian in front of court. Product information may be Frisian Frisian certificates of foundation Existence of 50 year Frisian oath/affirmation: In 2006 36,5% of all members of the counsil took oath/affirmation in Frisian

20. Administrative authorities 31 autonomous counties: 20 have adopted own language policy and 13 an ordinance on written use of Frisian. Bilingual acts of birth, marriage and death Place names, street names Focus on oral use of the language for police, health services and social services, and administrative authorities Since 2003 Frisian family names are allowed.

21. Media Omrop Fryslân: our provincial broadcasting company -Complete and varied programming -High density rate of viewer- and listenship figures -37 hours programming on national broadcasting Frisian written media -Focus on multimedia and young people -Magazines for promotion of language and literature -Finance: yearly 423.000 euros

22. Culture & Literature Culture and Frisian is well integrated. Tryater: professional Frisian theatre Tresoar: professional documentation centre Frisian Academy: scientific institute for Frisian language and culture It Fryske Boek: promotion of Frisian literature (more than 100 books appear in Frisian annually) Many amateur theater festivals

23. Economic and social life Focus on health care sector Afûk makes health care centres aware of importance of language as part of quality of communication with sick, older and emotional people. Treat Frisian as unique selling point Focus in new language policy note. Visibility of Frisian is too low.

24. Eskerrik asko Mange Takk Diolch Tankewol Trugarez Grazia Graciis Dankscheen Mercé plan Kiitos Dz'akuju so Köszönöm Hvala Multumesc Spassi Ba