ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the challenges involved in implementing inclusive language-in-education policies that take account of the current linguistic diversity in Brazil, most particularly, along its borders. It illustrates some of the dimensions of linguistic diversity in the border regions. The chapter introduces two educational initiatives in the border regions that have been undertaken in the last two decades—one of these is the Observatory of Education at the Border (OBEDF) project. It also focuses on the multilingualism of the Central Arc of the borderland, extending from the state of Mato Grosso do Sul all the way to Acre. The demographic and sociolinguistic patterns in the south of Brazil result from migratory movements, which took place from the 19th century onward. The OBEDF was an interdisciplinary project which drew on landmark studies in education, language policy and linguistic diversity, and on recent research in anthropology, sociology, history and geography.
