Multiculturalism and Multilingual Policy in Romania: The Process for the Development of a Pluralistic Society

Abstract

This study aims to examine Romanian multiculturalism and multilingual policies that emerged after joining the European Union. To this end, the historical background and development process were examined, focusing on significant inflection points. In this regard, the following are discussed: first, the definition of various concepts of multiculturalism, the analysis of aspects of Romanian multiculturalism within the framework of that definition, and the analysis of multicultural characteristics of Transylvania, a region where minorities are concentrated. Second, the significant changes in multilingual policies, which are deeply related to a multicultural society, and an analysis of the current situation. The characteristics of multiculturalism in Romania are manifested by its historical background and the Process of forming minorities. It can be seen through the fundamental spirit of various laws and the Constitution that pluralism recognizing the identity of minorities existed in principle after the transition in 1989. However, the practice of this spirit had considerable friction with the nationalist forces inside Romania, and there were also several legal deficiencies. The turning point of this conflict was the Process of reorganizing laws based on the goal of incorporating into European society through EU membership. Regarding the issue of minority languages, the biggest issue of a multi-ethnic society, the rights and interests of minority languages have been legally guaranteed at a more advanced level since the enactment of related laws in 2007, but conflicts between ethnic groups still exist. Even now, improvements in the institutional part to enhance the value of a multicultural and multilingual society continue.