Srpskohrvatski jezik u svjetlu ustavnopravnih i sociolingvističkih određenja
Constitutional and Sociolinguistic Aspects of the Serbo-Croat Language

Summary/Abstract: Irrespective of serious disagreements in contemporary Yugoslav serbo-croatistics and its socio-linguistics, the vernacular and the standard language of those Yugoslavs who declare themselves to be Serbs, Croats, Slav Muslims and Montenegrin is to be seen as one language. Traditionally, both Serbs and Croats, and only they, have lent their ethnic names to the name of the language. The existing names of the language with different (extra) linguistic implications (the author finds that there are six names, with another two emerging as possible contestants) and a language policy without common standardization, in absence of integrative ideology (immanent in all societies, particularly the socialist ones), can hinder normal cultural life. It would be advisable, therefore, to find a generally acceptable common name for that language, as a technical term suitable for use in science, education and administration, and make a program of common standardization. The author extensively analyses constitutional language and some other provisions, proposing that they be brought in accord with one another. The adequate solution is seen in the unambiguous »oneness« of the standard language, in a »unity with differences«, both in the federation (characterized by multilingualism) and its constituent units. Only such oneness could guarantee the true cultural equality and integrity of all peoples speaking natively the same language, and of all parts of those peoples, irrespective of the region they live in.

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