May 2004

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SEVERAL CALLS FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE BRETON LANGUAGE

May 2004 – The Breton language is highly unprotected and its discrimination has been denounced during the last weeks by several specialists and organisations. For instance, a series of events (conferences, debates, workshops, exhibitions, demonstrations, etc.) were organised by Breton cultural organisations –the collective “Unité dans la diversité”, “Unity in diversity”– in Nantes, on the occasion of the UNESCO World Forum on Human Rights, held also in Nantes on 16-19 May. The Forum included a round-table entitled “Languages, cultural diversity and human rights, which recognition for language and cultural diversity?” to discuss the issue of language rights, also organised by “Unité dans la diversité” with the sponsorship of the French Committee of the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL). The participants stressed the lack of legal status of the Breton language by stating the need that France ratifies the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and signs the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, as well as the need for language legislation, which is an indispensable basis for the promotion of and support to the language; the need to work more closely with the Welsh Language Board was also highlighted, as the language policy of the Welsh government is regarded as a model to be followed. As Eurolang reports, the Breton regional council is currently developing a Breton language strategy which also includes the territory of Loire Atlantique, the Department sectioned off from the rest of Brittany in 1941. Moreover, two petitions have been launched calling for the official recognition of the languages in France at European level and denouncing the current state of discrimination of the Breton language; they can be both signed at the website of Eurominority (www.eurominority.org). Also on the other side of the sea, in Wales, there have been initiatives of support to the Breton language: by the Gwynedd Council in North Wales and by the Association Wales-Brittany (Cymdeithas Cymru-Llydaw).