Some major features of the sociolinguistic situation in Europe and the European Charter

INTRODUCTION In its twenty-third session, 15-17 March 1988, the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution on regional or minority languages in Europe. The work of the preparatory committee spanned the previous four years and is summed up in two major documents: the text of the European Charter itself and an explanatory memorandum (Council of Europe, 23, 8, parts I and II).