Dominant Instead of Hidden? A Critical Discussion on a European DLC Including Endangered Languages

This chapter proposes a critical investigation into language policy for minoritized languages in Europe. Is there a place for endangered languages in Europe? What is the kind of linguistic diversity which is declared as the „DNA “ of Europe? In how far can a DLC (Dominant language constellation) perspective represent a productive frame for developing language education policies in Europe that take the needs of minoritized language communities into account? Minoritized and endangered languages have not yet been addressed within DLC research. In terms of a possible meeting point between top-down and bottom-up policy, the DLC is a relational concept. As such, it is applied to language endangerment. First, the DLC is linked to the macro level of policy making in Europe. Then a recent bottom-up campaign for minoritized languages, the MSPI (Minority SafePack Initiative), is presented. In the reception of this initiative, European language policy appears to be an unreliable and insecure frame with regard to the promotion of these languages. Remarks on opportunities and limitations of an imagined DLC with minoritized languages as its characteristic component conclude the contribution.