ECMI Infochannel

As Elfdalian edges closer to recognition in Sweden, it seems pertinent to inspect how the political discussion surrounding this question is shaped in parliament, amongst local advocates, and in government. Parties involved argue for or against recognition using different and sometimes mismatching discursive strategies. As such, disagreement arises around key concepts. For one, most of the parliamentary debate attempts to prove Elfdalian’s qualities as a language, a discussion obscured by the government’s vague terminology. Actors also contest the meaning of recognition. Governmental communications stress that existing minority language legislation intends to increase usage in administrative spheres, whereas language advocates see this as unnecessary and instead lobby for a form of recognition that would empower sustainable revitalisation efforts. How long this discursive deadlock will last is unpredictable, but only altered demands or new legislation can break it.