Sprachkonfliktforschung in Sprachkontaktgebieten: die öffentliche Meinung zu Aspekten der Position der deutschsprachigen Belgier im belgischen föderalen System.

Language conflict research in language contact areas: public opinion on aspects of the position of the German-speaking Belgians in the Belgian federal systemUsing recent empirical data drawn from German- and non-German-speaking Belgians, I investigate the public opinion in Belgium on aspects of the position of the German-speaking Belgians in the Belgian federal system. It concerns a contact linguistic research about language conflict. The language contact between German- and non-German-speaking Belgians and the potential language conflict related to it, are the starting point of this research. I formulate answers to the following questions: which conflict potential can be found among the Belgian population concerning aspects of the position of the German-speaking Belgians in the Belgian federal system and which variables can influence this conflict potential?The data are drawn from a written cross sectional survey, which is the widest in its kind so far. The respondents are divided into three samples: non-German-speaking Belgians, German-speaking Belgians living in Malmedy or Waimes, two communities belonging to the French speaking area, and German-speaking Belgians living in the nine communities of the German speaking area. Using opinion variables I measure the tolerance level among the non-German-speaking Belgians and the satisfaction level among the German-speaking Belgians concerning aspects of the position of the German-speaking Belgians in the Belgian federal system. Therefore I use two statistic tests: frequency and correlation. The tolerance and satisfaction level are correlated also to various profile variables (age, sex, education, etc.)The data analysis shows the presence of conflict potential among the Belgian population concerning the political visibility of the German-speaking Belgians and the application of the language policy relating to German-speaking Belgians. Differences in generation, identity development, education and language knowledge can significantly influence the conflict potential. A future conflict between non-German-speaking and German-speaking Belgians is likely. There is a high probability that the tolerance concerning the position of the German-speaking Belgians in the Belgian federal system will diminish and the already low satisfaction level of the German-speaking Belgians relating their position in the Belgian federal system will further drop. In the perspective of a changing Belgian state model this conflict potential should be taken into consideration.

Jaar van publicatie:2011

Toegankelijkheid:Closed