The Model of Language Policy in Macedonia by the Ohrid Framework Agreement and its Impact
The Model of Language Policy in Macedonia by the Ohrid Framework Agreement and its Impact

Summary/Abstract: Macedonia, as a country located in the central part of the Balkans – a place where identity and language issues and conflicts are very common, with its specific internal ethnic composed population, has developed a unique model of a language policy. Starting with the definition of the concept of language policy, this short paper aims to inform about the model of the language policy in Macedonia and its characteristics and at the same time to expose its impacts thus far. In briefly informing briefly about the languages and linguistic groups of Macedonia, the paper starts with a historical overview of development of the language policies in Macedonia from the mid 19th century, through the socialist period, and the process of independence until the constitutional changes according to the Ohrid Framework Agreement of 2001. In its central part, the paper comprehensively outlines and shows the characteristics of the current language policy of Macedonia developed and designed according to the amendments of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. The model of language policy is described on a legal, institutional and practical level, namely by examples and data about the usage of the minority languages on certain levels and areas such as central government, local-self government, education system and public sphere of life as well as the supportive policies for the Macedonian language. In describing the situation, the paper concludes with an opinion about the impact and consequences of the model of the language policy of Macedonia.

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