CIRLM:
The National Research Hub on Official Language Minority Communities

Publication of the fifth issue of Minorités linguistiques et société/Linguistic Minorities and Society - April

Francophonie, légitimité et devenir / Francophonie, Legitimacy and the Future
Under the direction of Anne-Andrée Denault and Mireille McLaughlin

Legitimacy is a central issue of the challenges faced by many of today’s linguistic minorities. Often, these linguistic minorities seek legitimacy, whether it’s within state structures, in relation with their constituents, in order to obtain international recognition or in the process of defining the minority by and for itself. This thematic issue addresses all of these legitimacy issues by focusing more specifically on the Canadian Francophonie.

While the French-speaking communities in Canada must always put pressure on the Governments to have their rights respected, it is important to ponder the reasons that justify the relevance of their existence and their right to self-fulfillment. Thus raised, the issue of legitimacy as communities is central to their future direction. In this multidisciplinary work, the authors address issues involving linguistic rights, collective history and social relevance. Although the legitimacy issue invariably raises that of relation to the other, both to the majority community and other minorities, it also highlights the importance of giving meaning to one’s own legitimacy. Historically speaking, minority communities have constructed speeches that place them in Canada’s and North America’s history. These issues that are recognized internally and externally thus engage the French-speaking communities in defining their foundation, importance and contribution within the overall society. The authors of this work call forth fresh thinking that brings us back to a central issue situated at the very basis of the action taken by minority communities, allowing them to have a vision of the future.

To read the number, click here.