Le lingue minoritarie da un punto di vista sociologico

Language is not a system of signs that allow the exchange of information among individuals but also the means to engage in intersubjective relationship as well as to mark the identity of the speaker: the connection between language and identity is often so strong that a single feature of linguistic usage can be enough to identity someone’s belonging in a certain group. The linguistic matrix, that consists of being aware of how linguistic register expectations become linguistic norms, constitutes the basis of the community of speakers and society. Linguistic behaviour is exposed to distinct social dynamics and new linguistic habits and can be influenced by the sense of belonging, as perceived by the speakers, and the strength of the language (vitality and prestige). Pluralinguistic formations make allowance for the different ways of communication, adapting them to local customs, in this way avoiding harm, as well as introducing a positive bias, in populations so far relegated to minority status.