Changes in the French language policy in relation to regional languages

This thesis treats the subject of French language policy for regional languages. Even though the position of French as the only official language of French state is undeniable the question of regional languages and its support is still a topical problem of French society. The evolution of French language policy for regional languages is the main subject of this thesis as well as all elements that have been influencing it. One part of this language policy is the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, which France signed in 1999 but remains unratified. Despite the flexibility of commitments deriving from the Charter ratification of this document remains to be seen as a menace for the roots of the French republic . Therefore France can't/doesn't want to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. This thesis analyses main obstacles for ratification of the treaty which is especially important for its strong symbolic meaning. These obstacles are defined as juridical, ideological and political