Theoretical Frameworks and Methodological Implications: Regional and Minority Language Politics and Policy Making in the EU

Abstract

The broad theoretical aim of this study is to expand the socialtheoretical foundations of sociolinguistics in continuation of a process begun inter alia by critical sociolinguists (e.g. Williams, 1992) and Linguistic anthropologists (e.g. Jaffe, 1999). My own contribution to expanding such foundations consists in exploring what politicaltheoretical and social-theoretical frameworks developed in various scholarly traditions can further contribute to reinforce the theoretical foundations of sociolinguistics and ultimately in providing a better understanding of glottopolitics and language policy formation in general and minority language policy-making processes in the EU in particular.