Language Policy and Multilingualism in the City of Osijek in a Diachronic Perspective

Abstract

The city of Osijek (Croatia) has been for centuries a place of various contacts arising from direct or indirect social interactions of speakers reflecting their linguistic and non-linguistic (i.e. cultural, political and social) backgrounds. It has thus been the place of urban multilingual social inclusion and linguistic diversity. In this context, the paper aims at providing a theoretical and historical framework for language policy types that facilitated multilingualism in Osijek with reference to a particular German dialect of Osijek (Croatian: esekerski). The methodology applied in the paper is the primary sources analysis (applicable legislation, statistical demographic and historical data), interpretation of relevant LPP theories as well as a comparison regarding the language policy and languages spoken in the city of Osijek since the 19th century. In conclusion, the authors determine the role of language policy in maintaining the multilingual feature of the city of Osijek and give recommendations therefor.