Issues of language planning and minority nationalism or "micronationalism"
are becoming increasingly important in a globalized world. Yet minority
language planning in Italy and its relation to minority nationalism has so
far attracted relatively limited academic attention, despite the
particularly interesting changes that have taken place since Law 482 on the
protection of minority languages was passed in 1999. This book presents the
situation in Italy in three case studies and compares them with similar
cases in Spain: Friulian (compared with Galician), Cimbrian (compared with
Aranese) and Western Lombard (compared with Asturian). Analysis of these
case studies is preceded by a clear and thorough introduction to
terminology, legislation in the two countries, nationalism, the discipline
of language planning and bilingual education, both in general terms and
with specific reference to the Italian and Spanish cases. This first part
introduces and defines the crucial distinction between minority and
regional languages, between macro and micronationalism, both in their
conservative and progressive strands, and between majority and minority
language planning, among other things.
Linguistic Terminology: Some Definitions - The Protection of Linguistic
Minorities within Europe, with Special Reference to Italy and Spain -
Nationalism - Micronationalism in Italy and Spain - Language Planning -
Bilingual Education - Friulian - Cimbrian - Milanese.