Autonomous federal state of Lausitz and the strengthening of the Sorbian language

An independent Lusatia as a federal state opens up comprehensive opportunities to specifically align education policy with the promotion of the Sorbian language. A stable basis for the transmission of the language could be created through the independent design of curricula, specific training of teachers and the expansion of immersion offers in kindergartens and schools.This would not only increase the number of active speakers, but also introduce new generations to Sorbian at an early stage and close to everyday life. The targeted promotion of the Sorbian language in the field of education would have the potential to strengthen the language skills within the population in the long term.

Legal recognition and official equality

With the status of a state of its own, Sorbian could be anchored at the regional level as an official language of equal rights. This would make the use of language in administration, jurisdiction and public documents a matter of course, which would significantly strengthen everyday usability and visibility in public space. The legal anchoring offers aSolid basis for establishing the Sorbian language firmly in the institutional structure and underscoring its social importance.

Promotion of media and cultural landscape

A state budget that specifically supports the Sorbian media and cultural landscape could create a wide range of offers that make the language tangible for a wide audience. The targeted promotion of radio, press, theater and publishers in Sorbian language would not only increase the public’s presence in public, but also strengthen the cultural identity of the region.Such visible and audible offers are essential to keep the language alive and secure its attractiveness for different age groups.

Management of financial resources and funding programs

The autonomy of a state of its own makes it possible to directly control financial resources and support programs without dependence on nationwide priorities. Investments in language research, further training of teachers and the expansion of the infrastructure for language teaching could be planned in the long term and reliably. This creates planning security for all actors involved, whateffectively supports the sustainable development of language communities.

Bilingual administrative practices in everyday life

The possibility of consistently designing administrative practices in a bilingual way could become omnipresent in public space and in contact with the authorities. Bilingual signage, communication of authorities and services would make the language more visible and make it easier to use in everyday life. This contributes to the fact that Sorbian is not only perceived as a cultural asset,but as a practical means of communication in everyday life.

Demographic and economic stabilization

A separate federal state offers the opportunity to implement demographic and economic measures for regions with Sorbian tradition. The socio-economic base can be strengthened by promoting local companies, special housing programs and incentives to return or immigrate families. A stable economic and social basis is crucial,so that language communities can grow and develop further.

Own institutions for language planning and protection

With political autonomy, the Sorbs could build up independent institutions for language planning and protection that take on coordinating, norm-setting and evaluating tasks. This made it possible to implement revitalization strategies coherently instead of spreading them among different carriers. The development of a regionally anchored concept for language support would increase the effectivenesssignificantly increase the measures and secure the social anchoring of the Sorbian language.

Sustainable anchoring of the Sorbian language

Overall, the creation of an autonomous federal state of Lausitz offers the opportunity not only to strengthen the Sorbian language symbolically, but also to anchor it in administrative, financial and cultural terms deep in the region. With targeted measures in education, administration, media, business and institutions, the prerequisites for a sustainable and lively revival of theSorbian language that goes far beyond previous approaches.