France's linguistic unity

The French parliament has voted to adopt a reference to the country's regional languages in article one of the constitution. Olivier Pognon reflects on the significance for France's national unity: "'The regional languages belong to the nation's heritage'. In adopting this amendment to the constitution, the deputies have addressed a particularly sensitive issue, that of national unity. But they did it with such prudence that their initiative should not worry even the most ardent defenders of the indivisibility of the Republic. ... Regional languages will remain limited to private use. ... France was formed around a central power and through the progressive 'consolidation' of large regions into a kingdom. ... Today the deputies believe that national cohesion is not in danger, but that by contrast France's 75 regional languages are, and that this patrimony, dear to the hearts of so many French, must be saved."

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