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60 Breton groups urge MPs to step up efforts to pass language law before 2018

French National Assembly rejected increased protection of minoritised languages earlier this month

The letter sent by the Breton associations.
The letter sent by the Breton associations.
Some 60 Breton civil society groups sent a letter to each of Brittany's members of the French Parliament asking them to ensure the approval of a framework law for the promotion of endangered languages and cultures before the end of the current term. The move comes 10 days after a National Assembly vote, in which almost all MPs were absent, rejected increased protection for France's languages other than French.

The letter, written in Breton and French, is undersigned by all major pro-Breton language and culture groups. These include the Diwan federation of Breton-medium schools and Kevre Breizh, an umbrella organization for 37 federations and groups to which some 50,000 people are affiliated.

The text argues MPs still have 17 months ahead within the current legislative term to achieve the approval of a new law that allows to implement policies that help the transmission of minoritised languages and cultures to the younger generation.

The groups recall that pro-languages activists have been waiting since 2008 -when the French Constitution was amended to include a reference to the "regional languages" as the "heritage of France"- to see a framework law on language passed.

Lawmakers opposed to further rights for speakers of minoritised languages say the Constitution clearly states that French is the only language of the French Republic. Thus, they continue, any move aimed at strengthening the place of non-official languages would be unconstitutional, such as for example the ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

The French Senate rejected in October 2015 a Socialist-led proposal to amend the Constitution in order to open the door for the ratification of the European Charter. Most senators belonging to conservative parties opposed the move.