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A summary of the news for March.
The Herbert-Batliner-Europainstitut in Salzburg, related to the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, held a symposium on 16-17 March, titled: Language(s) as European Cultural Asset. The European Commission was represented by the former Commissioner for Multilingualism, mr. Leonard Orban, and mr. Harald Hartung, head of Unit for Education and Culture. Both of them underlined the importance plurilingualism in persoanl life of all EU citizens. They explained the recently developed EU language policies, aiming at the preservation of all languages of Europe, the role of language learning and linguistic varieties for the integration of newcomers and the social inclusion. Mr. Orban stressed that language learning goes beyond the school gates. Therefore, the EU as well as the member states should permanently invest in life long learning programs and edutainment tools and methods.
Mr. Hartung spoke about the role of multilingualism for the good relationship between neighbouring EU member states. According to the ELAN study (2007) he underlined the importance of the learning of two languages alongside the mother tongue, which is official EU policy (Barcelona 2002). Furthermore he underlined the cooperation between the Commission and the relevant NGO's for the success and the sustanability of any project funded by the Commission. Read more...
In his contribution to the conference Alex Riemersma investigated the vitality of regional and minority languages within the EU and the role of European language policies for the protection and preservation of these langauges. After a number of resolutions adopted by the European Parliament in the 1980s the Commission has initiated a special budget line for RMLs. The Mercator Centres in Aberystwyth (Wales, UK) in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) and Leeuwarden (Fryslân, Netherlands) could sustain during almost twenty years on this earmarked budget. Since the Action Plan for Languages expired in 2006, the budget was mainstreamed into general budget lines. The Mercator Centres Network could restart as a temporary project for three years (2009-2011). Other networks in this field such as the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity (NPLD), RML2future, and the European Network of Universities on Multilingualism (EUNoM) are co-funded for a period of three years as well. For all networks and projects it is very hard to create and maintain a common structure which is essential for the sustainabilty of the project goals at international level.
Alex Riemersma stressed the importance of a coherent EU Language Policy which includes a legal base aiming at the vitality and empowerment of all languages: state languages, autochthonous minority languages, as well as immigrant and sign languages.
The Dutch Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Minister Donner (picture), announced in February a bill on the Frisian language. Before sending this bill to the parliament, the Minister has initiated a internet consultation to invite opinions of the public. This internet consultation is available in Dutch only. The text of the draft "Law for the use of Frisian" ("Wet gebruik Friese taal") is available in both Frisian and Dutch. You can find the internet consultation at www.internetconsultatie.nl/wetfriesetaal. The internet consultation is available until 29 April. The description says the internet consultation is for everyone concerned, but says nothing about which languages are permitted for the contributions.The Europeesk Buro foar Lytse Talen (EBLT; Dutch umbrella organisation for Frisian and Lower Saxon organisations) would like to invite all Frisians and others interested to use the opportunity to respond online to this consultation on the bill. By responding, you let the Dutch government know you care about the future Frisian language law. The more responds, the better.EBLT is positive about the intention of the Dutch government for a Frisian language law. The law means a huge step forward for the formal position of Frisian within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. But, according to EBLT, the proposal is too limited. The proposal of the Ministry deals mainly with the court and administrative matters. EBLT would like that the law also covers other domains such as media and education. EBLT also think it's important that Frisian will become more visible in public. For example, the court in Ljouwert/Leeuwarden should have the bilingual name Rechtbank/Rjochtbank and the police in Fryslân as well: Politie/Plysje Fryslân.EBLT itself has submitted a contribution to the internet consultation. Besides, since the internet consultation does not contain a questionnaire, EBLT has published a text, in Frisian, which is available for everyone for completing the internet consultation. If you want to use this text, or parts of it, is of course up to yourself. This text is available on the Facebook page of EBLT.
GORREDIJK / DE GORDYK, March 9, 2011 - Parents and pre-school teachers are wondering: How can I raise my children in two or more languages? The European MELT (Multilingual Early Language Transmission) project aims to provide answers to questions on what it means to raise your children bilingually theoretically and in everyday life. Approximately forty parents and pre-school teachers of day care centre "De Toverbal" in Gorredijk have received more information on multilingualism in Fryslân (a Province of the Netherlands) and in Europe (picture).
Every day, parents and other caregivers or educators of young children notice that children like to learn and are sensitive to languages: children easily acquire a second language. Scientific research shows that multilingualism has a positive effect on the development of knowledge in children. Multilingualism has cognitive, social, cultural and economic benefits. Therefore, it is best for young children in the age of 0-4 years to be raised speaking Frisian or be raised bilingually and that they go to a Frisian-speaking or bilingual pre-school. Mercator (The Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning, part of the Fryske Akademy) is project leader of the MELT project and provides parents and educators with information on the benefits of a multilingual pre-school education, hoping that they will make a conscious choice to raise their child bilingually or Frisian-speaking. 
Frisian is a minority language in the Netherlands. There are more than 60 regional or minority languages in Europe. More than 50 million people are bi- or multilingual. The goal of the MELT project is to share ideas and expertise in an international context. The project is a collaboration between four linguistic regions: Friesland (Frisian in the Netherlands), Swedish-speaking regions in Finland (Swedish in Finland), Wales (Welsh in Great Britain) and Brittany (Breton in France). The partners have developed a toolkit (a sort of handbook) for teachers of nurseries and pre-schools to improve their skills. The toolkit offers them guidelines, practical examples, lesson plans and theory that is aimed at language development of children aged 0-4 years. The toolkit has been translated into eight languages and is currently being tested by several daycare centers in the regions. The SFBO (the Centre for Childcare in Friesland) has had a leading role for more than twenty years in Friesland when it comes to introducing the Frisian language to young children; they therefore are responsible for the practical execution of the MELT project. Another important product, besides the toolkit, is the brochure for young parents dealing with questions about bringing up their children in two or more languages. This brochure will be translated into Dutch and Frisian and will be distributed to parents in Friesland in April and May.
The discussion on the information evening in Gorredijk started off with statements such as "Bilingual children develop better than monolingual children" and "Nowadays, children should receive a Dutch upbringing instead of a Frisian of bilingual upbringing" The discussion of the first statement centered on the use of the word "better", which was perceived as confusing. The majority of parents disagreed with the second statement, as there has never been any scientific proof that a Frisian-speaking or bilingual upbringing has any negative effects on children later in life. And, as scientist have stated that bilingual children have better linguistic skills than monolingual children and that they have more cognitive flexibility, one might say that a bilingual upbringing only has advantages? Parents and educators have learned much about the opportunities a multilingual upbringing and education may bring and they will surely share this information with others!
The Catalan public television (TVC) cannot be broadcasted in the Valencian Country for the first time in 26 years · Acció Cultural, the association owning the relay stations, is convinced that TVC channels will be soon received through DTT · More than 650,000 people signed in favor of broadcasting
The Valencian cabinet headed by Francisco Camps (PP, Partido Popular, conservative Spanish nationalists) managed to fulfill one of its political obsessions: to put an end to broadcasting of Television of Catalonia, the public television of the autonomous community of Catalonia, in the Valencian Country, another Catalan-speaking land. A legislative amendment established a fine of 120,000 € per month imposed on Acció Cultural del País Valencià (ACPV, Cultural Action of the Valencian Country), the civic and cultural association that has been trying to set up relay stations across the country since 1984. ACPV's aim was to supply the Valencian territory with TV3, 3/24, 3XL and 33 TVC channels.
Freedom of expression under attack
The crusade against Television of Catalonia is not new. Several presidents of the Valencian Generalitat (government of the Valencian Country) have tried to close down the relay stations owned by ACPV in the last years, but Francisco Camps' cabinet has intensified legal proceedings against ACPV. Today, the association owes 600,000 € to the Valencian courts.
The relay stations were set up between 1984 and 1986 after 150,000 Valencian people donated money in a popular campaign launched by ACPV. TV3 was the first channel available in Catalan in the Valencian Country, for Valencia's own TV, Canal 9, did not start broadcasting until 1989.
ACPV launched a signatures campaign last year so that the Spanish Congress approved a law allowing reciprocal reception of autonomic channels in territories sharing the same language. The campaign gathered more than 650,000 signatures across Spain.
Further information: www.nationalia.info/en/news/892
