European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages: A Critical Commentary

by Jean-Marie Woehrling

The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages of the Council of Europe is the only European legal instrument specifically designed to protect and promote regional or minority languages, making it the legal reference framework for Europe. Through the efforts of its committee of independent experts and of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, it has become over the years a living instrument with considerable practical implications. This critical commentary on the charter by Jean-Marie Woehrling, one of Europe's leading experts on regional or minority languages, meets an increasingly perceived need for a detailed and thorough analysis, explaining the real effect of the charter's provisions. The article-by-article commentary - the first of its kind on the charter - is aimed at a whole host of target audiences, including regional or minority language experts, public authorities, organisations and associations, while not forgetting the general public and the media. It provides a set of interpretative tools enabling readers both to appreciate the control mechanism's conclusions and to assess them critically.

301 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009