In a context where linguistic and cultural diversity is characterized by ever-increasing complexity, adopting official multilingual policies to correct a country's ethno-linguistic, socio-economic, and symbolic imbalances presents many obstacles, but the greatest challenge is implementing them effectively. To what degree and in what ways have official multilingualism and multiculturalism policies actually succeeded in attaining their goals? Questioning and challenging foundational concepts, Minority Languages, National Languages, and Official Language Policies highlights the extent to which governments and international bodies are unable to manage complex linguistic and cultural diversity on an effective and sustained basis. This volume examines the principles, theory, intentions, and outcomes of official policies of multilingualism at the city, regional, and national levels through a series of international case studies. The eleven chapters – most focusing on lesser-known geopolitical contexts and languages – bring to the fore the many paradoxes that underlie the concept of diversity, lived experiences of and attitudes toward linguistic and cultural diversity, and the official multilingual policies designed to legally enhance, protect, or constrain otherness. An authoritative source of new and updated information, offering fresh interpretations and analyses of evolving sociolinguistic and political phenomena in today's global world, Minority Languages, National Languages, and Official Language Policies demonstrates how language policies often fail to deal appropriately or adequately with the issues they are designed to solve.

Gillian Lane-Mercier is professor of French literature at McGill University.

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Denise Merkle is professor of translation at the Université de Moncton.

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Jane Koustas, professor of French at Brock University, was the Craig Dobbin Professor of Canadian Studies at University College Dublin. She is the co-editor, with Christl Verduyn, of Canadian Studies: Past, Present, Praxis and, with Joe Donohoe, of Robert Lepage: Théàtre sans frontières: Essays on the Dramatic Universe of Robert Lepage. She is the author of Les belles étrangères : Canadians in Paris.

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“The quality of writing and mastery of the material presented combine to make this book a collaborative and sustained contribution to the topic of linguistic diversity and language policy.” Thomas Ricento, University of Calgary

“Minority Languages, National Languages, and Official Language Policies is a rich source of new and established material, offering fresh alternatives to the common narrative of how languages gain official status, focusing on the implications and consequences both for those who benefit and those who feel disadvantaged by official language policies.” Colin H. Williams, Cardiff and Cambridge Universities

"This important volume presents 10 valuable case studies concerning official and de facto language policies throughout Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia, along with a useful introduction and well-considered commentary by François Grin." British Journal of Canadian Studies