In respect of regional or
minority languages, within the territories in which such languages are
used and according to the situation of each language, the Parties shall
base their policies, legislation and practice on the following objectives
and principles:
the recognition of
the regional or minority languages as an expression of cultural wealth;
the respect of the
geographical area of each regional or minority language in order to
ensure that existing or new administrative divisions do not constitute an
obstacle to the promotion of the regional or minority language in
question;
the need for resolute
action to promote regional or minority languages in order to safeguard
them;
the facilitation
and/or encouragement of the use of regional or minority languages, in
speech and writing, in public and private life;
the maintenance and
development of links, in the fields covered by this Charter, between
groups using a regional or minority language and other groups in the
State employing a language used in identical or similar form, as well as
the establishment of cultural relations with other groups in the State
using different languages;
the provision of
appropriate forms and means for the teaching and study of regional or
minority languages at all appropriate stages;
the provision of
facilities enabling non-speakers of a regional or minority language
living in the area where it is used to learn it if they so desire;
the promotion of
study and research on regional or minority languages at universities or
equivalent institutions;
the promotion of
appropriate types of transnational exchanges, in the fields covered by
this Charter, for regional or minority languages used in identical or
similar form in two or more States.
The Parties undertake to
eliminate, if they have not yet done so, any unjustified distinction,
exclusion, restriction or preference relating to the use of a regional or
minority language and intended to discourage or endanger the maintenance
or development of it. The adoption of special measures in favour of
regional or minority languages aimed at promoting equality between the
users of these languages and the rest of the population or which take due
account of their specific conditions is not considered to be an act of
discrimination against the users of more widely-used languages.
The Parties undertake to
promote, by appropriate measures, mutual understanding between all the
linguistic groups of the country and in particular the inclusion of
respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to regional or minority
languages among the objectives of education and training provided within
their countries and encouragement of the mass media to pursue the same
objective.
In determining their policy
with regard to regional or minority languages, the Parties shall take into
consideration the needs and wishes expressed by the groups which use such
languages. They are encouraged to establish bodies, if necessary, for the
purpose of advising the authorities on all matters pertaining to regional
or minority languages.
The Parties undertake to
apply, mutatis mutandis, the principles listed in paragraphs 1 to 4
above to non-territorial languages. However, as far as these languages are
concerned, the nature and scope of the measures to be taken to give effect
to this Charter shall be determined in a flexible manner, bearing in mind
the needs and wishes, and respecting the traditions and characteristics,
of the groups which use the languages concerned.
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