The Luxembourgish Language Law and Policy: a Fairy Tale come true?

Abstract

This article examines language law and policy in the only EU Member State that has a trilingual official language policy in force throughout its territory. Under Luxembourg law, Luxembourgish is designated as the 'national language'. French, on the other hand, is designated as the ‘legislative language’. In addition, Luxembourgish, French and German are the three ‘administrative and court languages’. The present study adopts a law in context approach, integrating the legal analysis of this unique language policy with an overview of the historical background and data on actual language use and practices. The main challenge of Luxembourg's language policy is highlighted, namely finding a balance between national identity and social cohesion.