ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the development of language legislation in three Baltic states–Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania–after the restoration of their independence. It describes the regulations determining the status of the state language and the languages of national minorities, as well as governing the use of languages in elected bodies, before public authorities, in media, in education and in employment. The language issue was a central factor behind the mass mobilization for the drive for independence of the Baltic states in late 1980s. After the restoration of independence, development of the new linguistic legislation became one of the major challenges for the restored states. The status of the state languages has been enshrined in the Constitutions of all three Baltic states: in Article 14 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, Article 6 of the Constitution of Estonia and Article 4 of the Satversme–Constitution of Latvia.
