AUTOCHTHONOUS ETHNO -LINGUISTIC MINORITIES АS THE OBJECT ОF THE FEDERAL STATE ’S NATIONAL POLICY . THE EXPERIENCE OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

In the article, the author consider a systemic, largely informal, state approach to solving the problem of preserving and developing the ethno-linguistic identity of autochthonous minorities implemented by federal, regional and local authorities of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in close cooperation with public organizations. It is based on a strong legislative base, not only directly but also indirectly (for example, through electoral legislation or legal regulation of political parties activities) regulating this sphere, and including a wide range of ratified international legal enactments. This approach is characterized by the coordinated activity of the responsible state’s structures of all levels, as well as the maximum involvement of civil society. The peculiarity of the language policy in this area is the official recognition of the group of individuals speaking Low German, which is the regional language of the northern lands of Germany, as not an ethnic language but a language of linguistic minority, providing also a comprehensive state assistance. Numerous research and educational projects aimed at preserving the originality of autochthonous minorities, including documenting, functional development and popularization of the languages of these groups, are supported at all state levels. The analysis of the mechanisms and instruments of the state ethnolinguistic policy of FRG concerning the officially recognized national minorities, Lusatian Serbs (Sorbs), Frisian and Danish ethnic groups, German Gipsies Sinti and Roma, and the linguistic minorities speaking Low German, creates an opportunity to draw a conclusion about their efficiency. The positive experience of FRG can be used in such multi-ethnic state as the Russian Federation, for the preservation and development of the ethno-linguistic selfconsciousnesses of minority communities.

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