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Brexit “potentially disastrous” for minoritised languages in UK
Educational, cultural and linguistic rights groups say being part of EU allows "better protection of languages" · Parties of stateless nations in the UK share pro-EU stance
The list includes some of UK's leading groups in defense of language rights, such as Cymdeithas (Welsh laguage), the Cornish Language Society, Mudiad Meithrin (Welsh educational movement), the Scots language Centre, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (Northern Ireland's pro-Irish language body) and the National Eisteddfod (Wales's national cultural festival with a 9-centuries long history).
The European Network for Linguistic Equality (ELEN), which is very active at the EU level in reporting language-based inequality and discrimination in member states, is also lending support to the pro-languages groups.
In a statement, the organizations and bodies claim that Brexit would leave those linguistic communities "at the mercy of governments that have shown neither the interest nor the desire to protect and promote the rights of speakers of our nations and regions’ languages, and have throughout much of our shared history conducted aggressive language policies designed to eradicate our languages." The groups also point out that leaving the EU would block education projects from receiving European funding.
The associations argue that "being a part of a heterogeneous European Union with its robust congregation of minority and majority cultures allows for a better understanding and protection of our own languages. The indirect effect of Brexit on our languages is potentially disastrous."
Parties of stateless nations against Brexit
The stance of those groups matches that of parties of stateless nations, that have unanimously vocal in arguing against the UK leaving the EU. This is the case for the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP), Sinn Féin and SDLP (Northern Ireland), Plaid Cymru (Wales) and Mebyon Kernow (Cornwall).